Child Development
Yolanda Simmons
M. Ed. Department Chair
The KKC Child Development Program (CDP) is a IL Gateways entitled institution, and offers a number of credentials in the Early Childhood Education field.
A.A.S. Child Development: Preschool Education Program (CDP) at Kennedy-King College has earned Accreditation from the NAEYC Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The current accreditation term runs from March 2022 – 2024.
The Child Development Program at Kennedy-King College provides an excellent starting point for a career in education. The A.A.S. degree and Advanced Certificate seekers receive knowledgeable instruction, methodology and insight in all aspects of developmentally appropriate curriculum for young children.
Students are offered 10-12 courses in CD, these classes provide optimal and engaging learning opportunities, Upon completion, students will:
- Know and understand young children’s characteristics and needs
- Know and understand the multiple influences on development and learning
- Use developmental knowledge to create, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments
- Know about and understand diverse family and community characteristics
- Support and empower families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships
- Involve families and communities in their children’s development and learning
- Understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment
- Know about and use observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches
- Understand and practice responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child
- Know about assessment partnerships with families and with other professionals
- Understand positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation of their work with children
- Know and understand effective strategies and tools for early education
- Use a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching/learning practices
- Reflect on their own practice to promote positive outcomes for each child
- Understand content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines
- Know and use the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or academic disciplines
- Use their knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curricula for each child
- Identify and involve oneself with the early child hood field
- Know about and uphold ethical standards and other professional guidelines
- Engage in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice
- Integrate knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education
- Engage in informed advocacy for children and the profession
Child Development Practicum 259 Requirements
Child Development 259, Practicum in Preschool Education, is the terminal course in the Child Development Program. In order to enroll in the Practicum course, every eligible student must complete a Practicum application. In addition, students must attend a mandatory orientation after the application has been reviewed, and approved.
The Practicum Supervisor will contact eligible students with all information regarding the date and location of the orientation session. Students who have completed all of the required Child Development core coursework, with a grade of “C” or better, are eligible to apply for the Child Development 259 course.
Applications will be available by contacting Ysimmons5@ccc.edu
- Applications for students seeking enrollment in a Spring practicum must submit the application no later than the last Monday of the month of November.
- Applications for students seeking enrollment in a Fall practicum must submit the application no later than the last Monday of the month of March.
Programs
Child Development: Pre-School Education
Child Development: Pre-School Education/Infant Toddler
Faculty and Staff
| Name | Phone | Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darshe Bias | dbias1@ccc.edu | (773) 487-6925 | Y-138 |
| Nina Blakey | nblakey@ccc.edu | (773) 602-5351 | Y-135 |
| Martuice Brooks | mwilliams821@ccc.edu | (773) 602-5351 | |
| Yolanda Simmons | ysimmons@ccc.edu | (773) 602-5337 | Y-138 |
| Anna Russell | arussell@ccc.edu | (773) 602-5481 | Z-121 |
