Multi-Age Development & Care

Students learn how to care for and nurture development for multi-age children in an early childhood environment. Emphasis on addressing topics related to the care and nurturing of multiple children include: sibling adjustment, birth order, temperament, family dynamics and parenting styles, communication and stress management, effective discipline and age and gender considerations. Students explore careers and vocations in Early Childhood Care and Education.

Upon completing the course students will be able to:
1. Describe age appropriate expectations for physical development for children ages 0-5
years.
2. Apply Piaget’s theory of cognitive development to define how children’s understanding and
behavior change and develop in the first 5 years.
3. Identify how social learning takes place and how modeling can be used as an effective
tool for teaching young children.
4. Analyze and critique current research on the influence and significance of birth order and
gender on children.
5. List possible stereotypes based on a child’s gender and the impact on development.
6. Identify how caregivers can adjust their expectations and behavior to support and give
optimal guidance to each child’s individual temperament.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the factors necessary for promoting positive self-esteem
in children.
8. Describe attachment styles, and define ways in which caregivers can promote secure
attachment in children at each stage of development.
9. Name of possible reactions to the birth or adoption of a new sibling according to age,
gender, and birth order.
10. Describe ways to help family members adjust to the changes in roles, responsibilities and
routines that accompany transitions such as the birth or adoption of a new sibling(s).
11. Identify developmentally appropriate techniques to help caregivers manage sibling rivalry.
12. Demonstrate positive discipline and developmentally appropriate guidance techniques for
children of varying ages.
13. List and demonstrate age-appropriate communication techniques.
14. Identify how systems affect the developing child and discuss the family systems model.
15. Identify personal parenting/caregiver style and how each affects the developing child.
16. List ways to successfully co-parent and/or work with caregivers.
17. Recognize how one’s culture and ethnicity influence parenting/caregiving.
18. Discuss and define ways to prevent, identify and manage stress to promote a healthy
family lifestyle, including identification of community resources.
19. List possible challenges for families with multiple children, multiples and children with
special needs.
20. Identify career, vocational, and educational pathways related to caring for with multi-age
children.