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Introduction to Early Childhood Certificate Description: There are four courses in the Introduction to Early Childhood Certificate Program. These four courses explore developmentally appropriate approaches to early education and provide many opportunities for educators to integrate knowledge and strategies into their daily practice. By completing the four courses, early learning educators earn a 48-hour certificate and may be eligible for three hours of Prior Learning credit for CHD120 at Northern Virginia Community College. All coursework is online and asynchronous. This offering is the full certificate including all 4 courses. Access to course one begins on October 1st.
CDA Areas: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
VELDS: Approaches to Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Cognitive Development, Communication, Language, and Literacy Development, Health and Physical Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support, Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, Instructional Support
Infant: Responsive Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Facilitated Exploration, Early Language Support
Toddler: Positive Climate, Negative Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Child Perspectives, Facilitation of Learning and Development, Quality of Feedback, Language Modeling
PreK: Positive Climate, Negative Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Student Perspectives, Productivity, Instructional Learning Formats, Language Modeling
Instructor: Joanna Parker
Email Joanna.parker@fairfaxcounty.gov with any questions
Date: Access to course starts on Wednesday, October 1
Time: Asynchronous in Canvas, self-paced
This is the first course in the Introduction to Early Childhood Certificate Program. Register if you ONLY want to take Course One. Explore the foundations of child development including basic milestones, patterns and variability in child development. Examine how the domains of development interconnect and recognize the predictable ways children grow and learn. Discover the biological and cultural factors that influence development and learn the powerful role adults have in promoting child development. Learn how to observe children and understand how they learn through play.
CDA Areas: 2 & 3
VELDS: · Approaches to Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Cognitive Development, Communication, Language, and Literacy Development, Health and Physical Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support, Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Responsive Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Facilitated Exploration, Early Language Support
Toddler: Positive Climate, Negative Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Child Perspectives, Facilitation of Learning and Development, Quality of Feedback, Language Modeling
PreK: Positive Climate, Negative Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Student Perspectives, Productivity, Instructional Learning Formats, Language Modeling
Instructor: Joanna Parker
Email Joanna.parker@fairfaxcounty.gov with any questions
Date: Access to course starts on Monday, October 6
Time: Asynchronous in Canvas, self-paced
This is the second course in the Introduction to Early Childhood Certificate Program. Register if you ONLY want to take Course Two. Explore the key foundations of a responsive learning environment. Identify how to create a physical environment that supports learning through play and is grounded in developmentally appropriate practice. Discuss how the environment supports curriculum and effective interactions.
CDA Areas: 1, 2, & 3
VELDS: Approaches to Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Cognitive Development, Communication, Language, and Literacy Development, Health and Physical Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support, Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Responsive Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Facilitated Exploration, Early Language Support
Toddler: Positive Climate, Negative Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Child Perspectives, Facilitation of Learning and Development, Quality of Feedback, Language Modeling
PreK: Positive Climate, Negative Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Student Perspectives, Productivity, Instructional Learning Formats, Language Modeling Instructor: Joanna Parker
Email: Joanna.parker@fairfaxcounty.gov with any questions
Date: Access to course begins on Monday, October 6
Time: Asynchronous in Canvas, self-paced
This is the third course in the Introduction to Early Childhood Certificate Program. Register if you ONLY want to take Course Three. Examine the power of responsive relationships and effective communication strategies to support children's social and emotional development. Explore the power of how you are and your teaching practices, diving into the behaviors measured through the CLASS tool.
CDA Areas: 2 & 3
VELDS: Approaches to Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Cognitive Development, Communication, Language, and Literacy Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support, Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Responsive Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Facilitated Exploration, Early Language Support
Toddler: Positive Climate, Negative Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Child Perspectives, Facilitation of Learning and Development, Quality of Feedback, Language Modeling
PreK: Positive Climate, Negative Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Student Perspectives, Productivity, Instructional Learning Formats, Language Modeling
Instructor: Joanna Parker
Email Joanna.parker@fairfaxcounty.gov with any questions
Date: Access to course starts on Monday, October 6
Time: Asynchronous in Canvas, self-paced
Part 2 of this three-part series focuses on the leader’s role in cultivating a supportive and growth-oriented environment for educators. Participants will explore strategies for designing and facilitating meaningful professional development that addresses challenging behavior through a lens of equity, empathy, and collaboration. Emphasis will be placed on reflective supervision, coaching models, and creating spaces for staff to engage in ongoing learning and dialogue.
CDA Areas: 3, 6, & 8
VELDS: Approaches to Play and Learning, Social and Emotional Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Relational Climate
Toddler: Positive Climate
PreK: Positive Climate
Instructors: Bernice Mayfield & Deborah Weigand
Date: Wednesdays, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, & 10/22
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Clay, a versatile and sensory-rich material, offers a world of opportunities for young children to learn and grow. This training will explore the numerous benefits of incorporating clay into early childhood education, providing practical tips and strategies for educators to maximize its potential. Educators can create rich and meaningful learning experiences for young children by incorporating clay into early childhood education. Clay play promotes holistic development and provides opportunities for children to express themselves, solve problems, and explore the world around them.
CDA Areas: 3
VELDS: Social Emotional
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Facilitated Exploration
Toddler: Facilitation of Learning and Development
PreK: Concept Development
Instructor: Bronwyn Dean
Date: Thursday, 10/2
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Art and creativity play a very important role in the lives of children, allowing them to create connections between themselves, other people and the world around them. Art prepares young children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physiological development to get them ready for school. Despite the benefits, often these experiences are undervalued in the curriculum. We will explore children’s art activities inspired by contemporary artists. We will learn about how these experiences enhance learning in different domains, and we will explore local community partnerships that can be utilized.
CDA Areas: 2
VELDS: Approaches to Learning
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Facilitated Exploration
Toddler: Facilitation of Learning and Development
PreK: Concept Development
Instructor: Stephanie Barker
Date: Tuesdays, 10/7, 10/14, & 10/21
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Listening to stories is a foundational component of early childhood, but allowing children to be the storytellers themselves has endless benefits. Story creation is not only enjoyable but also supports growth across many developmental areas. In this session, we will explore how storytelling can support different domains of development and discuss how to facilitate story creation in your classrooms. Finally, using the story, “Introducing Dot” by Theresa Stephens, we will consider how to embed storytelling opportunities into everyday moments, including our art and creative experiences with children.
CDA Areas: 2 & 3
VELDS: Communication, Language, and Literacy Development & Cognitive Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Toddler: Facilitated Learning & Development; Language Modeling
PreK: Concept Development & Language Modeling
Instructor: Melody Passemante Powell
Date: Wednesday, 10/8
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
This learning opportunity will explore what are the key skills that are most important for children to know and be able to do. Throughout the class, we will discuss the 10 tools for learning identified by Fred Rogers in his landmark television show, Mr. Roger’s neighborhood. These tools for learning will be aligned with the behaviors and interactions measured through the CLASS tool. Learn how CLASS observations measure what really matters – the interactions that support children’s engagement, development and learning. Learn how to increase your use of these practices and why they are so important.
CDA Areas: 2 & 3
VELDS: Approaches to Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Cognitive Development, Communication, Language, and Literacy Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support, Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Responsive Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Facilitated Exploration, Early Language Support
Toddler: Positive Climate, Negative Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Child Perspectives, Facilitation of Learning and Development, Quality of Feedback, Language Modeling
PreK: Positive Climate, Negative Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Student Perspectives, Productivity, Instructional Learning Formats, Language Modeling Instructor: Joanna Parker
Date: Thursdays, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, & 10/30
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Inclusion in early childhood education means creating a learning environment where every child feels a genuine sense of belonging, is valued for their unique identity, and has equitable opportunities to learn and grow. It goes beyond simply integrating children with diverse abilities; it requires actively adapting curriculum and practices to meet the needs of every child. Ultimately, inclusion is about building a community where diversity is celebrated, and all children are empowered to reach their full potential together.
CDA Areas: 3
VELDS: Social Emotional
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Facilitated Exploration
Toddler: Facilitation of Learning and Development
PreK: Concept Development
Instructor: Bronwyn Dean
Date: Thursdays, 10/9 & 10/16
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Preschool music experiences provide young children with a rich and engaging introduction to the world of music. These experiences stimulate children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development while fostering a love for music and cultivating basic musical skills. We will explore ways to incorporate meaningful music experiences into your program.
CDA Areas: 3
VELDS: Social Emotional
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Facilitated Exploration
Toddler: Facilitation of Learning and Development
PreK: Concept Development
Instructor: Bronwyn Dean
Date: Tuesday, 10/14
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Do you incorporate treasure baskets in your program? This session will provide early childhood educators with a comprehensive understanding of treasure baskets, their benefits for infant development, and practical implementation strategies. Through this approach, participants will learn the importance of carefully selecting and introducing treasure basket items, fostering exploratory play, and observing and supporting infant learning.
CDA Areas: 3
VELDS: Social Emotional
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Facilitated Exploration
Toddler: Facilitation of Learning and Development
PreK: Concept Development
Instructor: Bronwyn Dean
Date: Tuesday, 10/21
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Dramatic play provides preschoolers with a crucial opportunity to explore social roles and express emotions in a safe, imaginative environment. By taking on different characters, children develop vital communication, cooperation, and problem-solving skills, which are essential for navigating social relationships. This form of play also fosters creativity and narrative skills, laying the foundation for literacy and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
CDA Areas: 3
VELDS: Social and Emotional
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Classroom Organization
Dimension(s):
Infant: Facilitated Exploration
Toddler: Facilitation of Learning and Development
PreK: Instructional Learning Formants
Instructor: Bronwyn Dean
Date: Thursdays, 10/23 & 10/30
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
En esta clase, los educadores aprenderán cómo las preguntas de alto nivel apoyan el pensamiento de los niños pequeños. Se presentarán y practicarán diversas técnicas de formulación de preguntas que ampliarán la comprensión de los educadores sobre cómo fomentar la curiosidad y la iniciativa en los niños. Estas preguntas forman parte de la vida cotidiana en las aulas, tanto en rutinas como en experiencias de aprendizaje e interacciones sociales.
CDA Áreas: 2
VELDS: Enfoques de Aprendizaje, Desarrollo Cognitivo
Apoyo de CLASS
Dominio(s):
Bebé: Cuidado Sensible
Niño pequeño: Apoyo Emocional y Conductual, Apoyo Activo para el Aprendizaje
PreK: Apoyo Pedagógico
Dimensión(es):
Bebé: Exploración Facilitada y Apoyo Temprano al Lenguaje
Niño pequeño: Consideración hacia las Perspectivas del Niño, Facilitación del Aprendizaje y del Desarrollo, Calidad de la Retroalimentación
PreK: Calidad de la Retroalimentación
Instructora: Lisseth Palacios
Fecha: martes 7, de octubre
Hora: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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