Child and Family Studies: AS Degree

The Napa Valley College Child and Family Studies Program prepares students to work as teachers with young children in public and private early care and education programs. The Child and Family Studies Program may also serve as a beginning for students planning to attend a four year college to obtain a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. Upon completion of the A.S. Degree in Child and Family Studies at Napa Valley College, the student is eligible for the California Child Development Teacher Permit available through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Communicate with empathy to develop nurturing relationships with children parents and co-workers as well as support the parent-child relationship.
  2. Integrate concepts and components of developmentally appropriate practices into the daily curriculum to engage children at their level of understanding and ability.
  3. Observe and record children’s behavior to be able to integrate the information gathered into daily curriculum that advocates gender, equity and diversity and meets biosocial, cognitive and psychosocial needs.
  4. Know, pursue, and implement brain development research and theory in teaching.
Degree Requirements
Required Core Courses (35 units)
CFS-120Child Development3
CFS-121Health, Safety & Nutrition3
CFS-122Principles & Practices of Teaching Young Children3
CFS-124Observation & Assessment3
CFS-135The Cognitive Development of Young Children3
CFS-140The Child, Family and Community3
CFS-145Language Development & Early Literacy3
CFS-150Infant and Toddler Development3
CFS-165Curriculum and Environments in Early Childhood Programs3
CFS-184Teaching Children in a Diverse Society3
CFS-223Student Teaching - Practicum5
Required Electives (3 units)
Complete three units from the following:3
Care and Education for Infants and Toddlers
Sensitive Issues in Early Childhood
Parenting
Working With Families
Studying the Reggio Emilia Approach
Meeting the Developmental Needs of the School-Aged Child
The Anthropology of Childhood
Adult Supervision and Mentoring in Early Care and Education
Admin & Supervision of Early Childhood Programs 1
Using Simple Signs With Children in the Early Care and Education Setting
The Creative Process in Young Children
Trauma and Early Childhood Development
Children with Special Needs
Music and Movement in Early Childhood
Early Intervention Strategies
Fieldwork in Early Intervention
Supervision & Admininistration of Early Childhood Programs II
CA Preschool Foundations & Frameworks: Physical Development
CA Preschool Foundations & Frameworks: Science
CA Preschool Foundations & Frameworks: Social and Emotional
Transitional Kindergarten Reflective Practice Seminar
Teaching as a Profession
Introduction to LGBT Studies in the Family, Education and Community
LGBT Communities, Family & Education in the 21st Century
Transgender Identities and Issues
AIDS in the LGBT Community and Beyond
Independent Study In LGBT Education
Total Units38

To receive an Associate Degree, students must complete 60 degree applicable semester units with a grade point average of at least 2.0. Students must also complete the NVC General Education pattern and the Health, Wellness and Self Development graduation requirement to earn an Associate degree. Consultation with a Counselor is highly encouraged to ensure all requirements are met.