Philosophy

The mission of Rio Hondo Community College is to provide a collaborative center of lifelong learning that includes innovative, challenging and quality educational offerings-including programs and courses leading to transfer and vocational degrees and certificates.  The College Philosophy recognizes the individual worth and potential of every human being and is dedicated to excellence in instruction.

The Child Development Department provides a program that effectively encompasses the components of Rio Hondo College’s mission and philosophy.  Our program includes a vocational component with Specialization Certificates of Achievement (12 and 15 units), an overall Certificate of Achievement (24 units) and an Associates of Science Degree.  Our program also prepares students for transfer to four-year programs with many articulation agreements with these institutions.  We also recognize the individual worth and potential of our students (as we do the children we are training the students to work with) and strive for excellence in instruction (providing a role model for the future professionals who will work with children and their families). 

The Mission and Philosophy of Rio Hondo are also reflected in our Departmental Philosophy.  The Child Development Department provides information that enables our students to understand and take advantage of the multifaceted components of the Child Development field and its multidisciplinary opportunities for career paths. We also work to provide our students with knowledge of Child Development concepts, theories and applications in order to become effective and satisfied professionals.

Goals

When completing each Child Development Course students will be able to:

1. Describe the relationships between Child Development and other related fields of study.
2. List career options available to Child Development professionals.
3. Name and discuss the concepts and theories of Child Development.
4. Explain the connections between Child Development and Diversity Issues.
5. Identify Developmentally Appropriate techniques to implement Child Development concepts and theories in the development of curriculum for children and their parents.
6. Distinguish the individual needs and potential of children and their families through Authentic Assessment, partnerships and collaboration.