Adult Career Pathways Resources

Thirteen units cover the four stages of child development, literacy, the role of play, partnering with parents, observing/recording children’s behavior, curriculum development, program management, health and safety, and guidance. Also includes career exploration in the field of child development. || AUTHOR: Saint Paul ABE / Saint Paul College FastTrac partnership

Explores the principles and milestones of early child development, emphasizes health and safety information, and introduces early childhood career options.  Learning modes include lecture, discussion, and hands-on experiences. Students also complete CPR/AED/First Aid certification.

Designed to fulfill the educational requirements of the CDA National Credentialing Program by the Council for Professional Recognition.

Course focuses on sanitation, nutrition, health, safety and emergencies in early childhood settings; positive guidance/discipline; and effective classroom practices. Emphasis is placed on academic and soft skills necessary for ABE and college success; and students are assisted in discerning their own career pathway.

Course focuses on stages of development – infant, toddler, preschool and school-age; literacy development; and early childhood education as a profession - careers, roles and responsibilities, ethics and teamwork. Emphasis is placed on academic and soft skills necessary for ABE and college success; and students are assisted in discerning their own career pathway.

This course is designed to improve students’ basic reading and writing skills, while exposing students to key early childhood education issues that are simultaneously relevant to their lives and the field.

The course provides an overview of child development careers, childcare basics, and core competencies of child development. Topics include child development places to work, childcare jobs, skills for working in childcare, developmental milestones, safety and emergencies, and literacy, art, and music development.

Students develop reading and writing skills needed to meet the academic demands of college and child development studies. Students develop comprehension techniques and vocabulary strategies for deciphering words in context, reviewing parts of speech, mechanics, spelling and sentence structure.

Introduces students to the field of early childhood education and childcare. Students learn about different early childhood settings: centers, schools and family. They learn how to interact with children 0-5 years old and their parents. Major topics include developmental milestones, discipline, nutrition, safety and literacy. Introduces vocabulary, concepts and skills used in early childhood education. Class activities include creating and implementing hands-on activities. Also builds students’ reading, writing, math, and computer skills.

Course covers the academic topics tested on the official praxis exam - math, reading, and writing.  Develops knowledge regarding the types of jobs one can get as a paraprofessional, special education categories recognized in Minnesota, student data privacy, relationship building and behavior modification strategies, and professionalism in the workplace.

For students interested in becoming paraprofessionals in school settings, with specific focus on preparation for work with deaf and hard of hearing learners. Includes a work-based experience. Prepares students for employment and for passing the ParaPro exam when they are ready.