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Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Child Development

child development image 2

The Merritt College Child Development program is designed for students desiring to transfer to a four-year college or to meet requirements to work in public or private childcare facilities. The program conforms to regulatory agency guidelines and offers several options as specified below. Refer to the catalog for additional details.

Department Overview

We prepare our students to become effective early care and educational professionals who will provide quality programs and services to children, families, and the community. Some possible career options: instructional assistant, teacher’s aide, preschool schoolteacher, site supervisor, childcare center director, or owner of a family childcare. With an AA degree in Child Development, you may also qualify to become a family advocate. You will truly have an impact on a child’s life. 

“The CHDEV 55A lab practicum class was incredibly meaningful, challenging and engaging. I loved collaborating with my peers [and] the instructors were very supportive and encouraging me to try new things. After the class, I felt much more confident and motivated to continue my teaching and learning journey.”  Xueyou (Yoyo) Yang

Lab Practicum (55A)

“CHDEV 55A [is] an experience that every potential ECE provider should partake in on their academic journey. Michelle and Bonnie provided real life teaching experiences in conjunction with a phenomenal academic curriculum that required students to delve deep into their creative minds. I would highly recommend this course for anyone who has aspirations of being the type of teacher whose reputation will precede them.” — Phillip Hall

 

55A Lab Practicum:

The 55A preschool laboratory is our culminating teaching course required for all Child Development majors. In 55A, you will work directly with children, under supervision, in a working preschool. This class is a fast paced and exciting experience that will give you a feel for how to run your own classroom, in a safe and structured environment.
 
As a student teacher in the Lab Practicum, you will:
  • Develop and implement activity plans for various learning centers.
  • Practice tools and skills to facilitate children’s learning.
  • Collaborate with fellow student teachers to practice objective observation to document children’s behavior and learning
  • Develop the skills to modify your teaching strategies based on observation.
  • Gain proficiency in developmentally appropriate guidance and discipline methods.
  • Lead circle time sessions and plan nutritious snacks for children.
  • Become familiar with and demonstrate required health and safety procedures.

55C Advanced Lab Practicum:

The elective 55C Advanced preschool laboratory class is a student-led experience, designed to deepen your understanding of a topic of your choosing.
 
In 55C, you will implement a semester-long project based on your interests, guided by your instructor. Possible project topics include:
  • Observation, Documentation, and Assessment: You will observe 1-2 children in the classroom over a longer period of time and create a parent-ready Documentation and Assessment portfolio showcasing the children’s learning.
  • The Role of a Head Teacher; Supervision and Organization of a Classroom: You will experience a leadership role of head teacher. You will oversee an entire preschool program, supervising 55A student teachers and offering support and feedback, as well as overseeing and supporting the routines and schedule of the classroom.
  • Emergent Curriculum in a Chosen Activity Area: You will teach an emergent curriculum unit in an activity area chosen by you and the instructor. You will be taught the project cycle and how to expand children’s learning in that area.
  • Field Work in the Community: Working with the instructor, you will be sent out to one of our community partners, to experience best practices in the field. This pathway allows you to connect with a coach in a high-quality preschool in the area, to offer a broader perspective on what Early Childhood Education can look like when it is treated with respect and care.
From your 55C experiences, you will perceive how the separate pieces of a developmentally appropriate program fit and function together.
55A is a prerequisite for 55C. They may not be taken concurrently.

 

Resource Center
Have a question about the Early Childhood Education field or Merritt College and don’t know where to start? Contact the Merritt College Child Development Resource Center!
The Resource Center provides support to both Merritt students and surrounding community members within all of the following areas:
  • Course selection / Student Education Plan (SEP) development
  • Reviewing transcripts for degree and permit requirements
  • Certificate/Degree petition submission
  • Permit application process and permit renewal
  • ECE career navigation and support
Merritt College Child Development Resource Center Contact Information:

 

Contact Us:

 

Alice Chinn
會說普通話
Staff Assistant/
Professional Growth Advisor
 
To book a time with me, click Book Here!

 

Marlo Beall
CHDEV Counselor
 
To book a time with me, click Book Here!

Faculty & Staff

Full-Time Faculty
Michelle St. GermaineMichelle St. Germaine, Department Chair
mgermaine@peralta.edu
Office: 510-436-2588
Mobile: 510-936-0501

Lissette DominguezLissette Dominguez
ldominguez@peralta.edu
Office: 510-436-2596

Part-Time Faculty
Headshot PlaceholderTracey Black
tblack@peralta.edu

 

 Headshot PlaceholderAlisa Burton
aburton@peralta.edu
 Laura ChengLaura Cheng
lycheng@peralta.edu
 Shirley ChewShirley Chew
sjchew@peralta.edu

Headshot PlaceholderNanu Clark
nclark@peralta.edu

Headshot PlaceholderElizabeth Crocker
bcrocker@peralta.ed
Shirley Murillo Shirley Murillo
smurillo@peralta.edu
Bonnie RippbergerBonnie Rippberger
brippberger@peralta.edu
Office: 510-436-2588 
Headshot PlaceholderHaneefah Shuaibe
hshuaibe@peralta.edu
Headshot PlaceholderYufong Wang
ywang@peralta.edu
Headshot PlaceholderBernadette Zermeno
bzermeno@peralta.edu
 BernBirdie WinrowBernBirdie Winrow
bwinrow@peralta.edu

 

Faculty Emeritus
Jennifer BriffaJennifer Briffa

 

 Newt McDonaldNewt McDonald

 Christine OlsenChristine Olsen

Margaret BarteltMargaret Bartelt
mbartelt@peralta.edu

Headshot PlaceholderYufong Wang
ywang@peralta.edu
 

Contact Information

Department Chair
Michelle St. Germaine

Building A-106
mgermaine@peralta.edu
Office: (510) 436-2588
Google Voice:
(510) 936-0501

Staff Assistant
Alice Chinn
會講國語
merrittcollegechdev@gmail.com


(510) 545-2413‬

Chriss Warren Foster

Dean of Division
I-Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Dr. Chriss Warren Foster
cfoster@peralta.edu
(510) 434-3897

Denise Woodward

Assistant to the Dean
Denise Woodward
dwoodward@peralta.edu
(510) 436-2425

Counselors

Tanya Ilarde
CE Counseling Office
Building S | Room 438
(510) 434-3938
MCCareerEd@peralta.edu

Marlo Beall
CE Counseling Office
Building S | Room 438
(510) 434-3938
MCCareerEd@peralta.edu

Child Development Degrees & Certificates

child development image 8 Assistant Teacher – Certificate of Proficiency

The Assistant Teacher certificate program is designed to prepare students to complete the minimum academic certification of the Merritt College Child Development Department.

Associate Teacher – Certificate of Proficiency Associate Teacher – Certificate of Proficiency

The Associate Teacher certificate of proficiency program is designed to prepare students for entry-level work in public or private childcare facilities.

child developement banner 2 Child Development – AA Degree

The AA degree in Child Development will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the Major course requirements and the General Education requirements. 

Early Childhood Education – AS-T Degree Early Childhood Education – AS-T Degree

The Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education (ECE) for Transfer (AS-T) degree is intended to meet the lower division requirements for ECE majors (or majors that have been deemed similar in the CSU system).

Family Child Care Provider – Certificate of Proficiency Family Child Care Provider – Certificate of Proficiency

The Family Child Care Provider certificate program is designed to prepare students to meet the unique demands for running a quality Family Child Care business.

Infant/Toddler Specialist – Certificate of Proficiency Infant/Toddler Specialist – Certificate of Proficiency

The Infant/Toddler Specialist Certificate of Proficiency program is designed to prepare students for work in public or private infant/toddler programs. 

Introduction to Early Childhood Education for Child Care Providers – Certificate of Completion Introduction to Early Childhood Education for Child Care Providers – Certificate of Completion

The Introduction to Early Childhood Education for Child Care Providers Certificate of Completion is the second of two noncredit certificates intended for students who seek to enter careers in child development, further their professional development, or prepare for entry into credit courses in child development 

Introduction to Infant/Toddler Care – Certificate of Completion Introduction to Infant/Toddler Care – Certificate of Completion

The Introduction to Infant/Toddler Care Certificate of Completion is the first of two noncredit certificates intended for students who seek to enter careers in child development, further their professional development, or prepare for entry into credit courses in child development.

child development image 5 Teacher – Certificate of Achievement

The Teacher certificate program is designed to prepared students for Head Teacher-level work in public or private childcare facilities.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) – Certificate of Achievement Transitional Kindergarten (TK) – Certificate of Achievement

The Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Certificate of Achievement program is designed to prepare students who are interested in becoming Transitional Kindergarten teachers with the necessary Early Childhood Education.

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