Child Development Associate Training

Lesson 1 • Individual Differences and Developmental Variation

Addresses the range of typical variation and factors influencing individual trajectories. Prepares candidates to honor diversity in developmental pace and style.

Lesson 2 • Developmental Milestones by Age Group

Details typical milestones for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to guide observation and planning. Enables early identification of developmental concerns.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Child Development Theory

Covers major developmental theories and their practical relevance to early childhood settings. Grounds all subsequent CDA competency areas in evidence-based understanding.

Lesson 1 • Nutrition and Feeding Practices

Addresses age-appropriate nutrition, meal planning, and feeding routines that support healthy growth. Connects dietary practices to cognitive and physical development outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Health and Hygiene Practices

Teaches handwashing protocols, diapering procedures, and illness prevention aligned with public health guidelines. Reduces disease transmission in group care settings.

Lesson 3 • Emergency Preparedness and First Aid

Prepares candidates to respond to medical emergencies, natural disasters, and lockdown situations. Ensures readiness to protect children when crises occur.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Environment as Third Teacher

Introduces the concept that physical space communicates expectations and invites exploration. Frames environment design as a core pedagogical tool.

Lesson 2 • Interest Areas and Learning Centers

Guides setup of defined learning centers that support all developmental domains simultaneously. Connects center design to curriculum goals and child choice.

Lesson 3 • Outdoor Learning Environment Design

Extends environment design principles to outdoor spaces that promote gross motor and nature-based learning. Addresses safety, accessibility, and seasonal adaptation.

Lesson 1 • Lesson Planning and Activity Design

Teaches structured lesson plan formats, learning objectives, and activity sequencing for all age groups. Produces ready-to-use planning documents for the CDA portfolio.

Lesson 2 • Thematic and Project-Based Planning

Guides development of integrated thematic units and extended project investigations. Deepens children's inquiry and connects learning across all domains.

Lesson 3 • Curriculum Models and Approaches

Surveys major early childhood curriculum frameworks to help candidates select and adapt approaches. Builds critical evaluation skills for curriculum decision-making.

Lesson 4 • Developmentally Appropriate Practice Principles

Defines DAP as the foundation for all curriculum decisions across age groups and contexts. Connects NAEYC guidelines to daily planning and interaction choices.

Lesson 1 • Documentation Tools and Techniques

Covers anecdotal records, running records, checklists, and photo documentation methods. Connects each tool to specific assessment purposes and portfolio requirements.

Lesson 2 • Using Assessment Data to Inform Teaching

Teaches analysis of observation data to identify learning gaps and adjust curriculum and environment. Closes the planning cycle by linking assessment back to instruction.

Lesson 3 • Portfolio Development for CDA

Guides construction of the CDA Professional Portfolio including all required resource collection items. Ensures candidates meet credentialing documentation standards.

Lesson 1 • Teaching Social-Emotional Skills

Provides explicit strategies for teaching emotion identification, self-regulation, and conflict resolution. Builds children's long-term social competence and school readiness.

Lesson 2 • Responding to Challenging Behavior

Teaches de-escalation, logical consequences, and individualized behavior support planning. Ensures responses are developmentally appropriate and ethically grounded.

Lesson 3 • Proactive Guidance Strategies

Covers environmental arrangement, predictable routines, and clear expectations as primary prevention tools. Reduces the frequency of challenging behavior before it occurs.

Lesson 1 • Communication Strategies with Families

Covers daily communication tools, family conferences, and digital platforms for ongoing partnership. Builds skills for delivering both positive and difficult messages effectively.

Lesson 2 • Culturally Responsive Family Engagement

Addresses cultural humility, home language support, and inclusive event planning for diverse families. Ensures engagement practices honor varied family structures and values.

Lesson 3 • Community Resources and Referrals

Teaches identification of community services and the referral process for families with additional needs. Positions the early childhood program as a hub for family support.

Lesson 1 • Developing a Professional Philosophy

Guides candidates in articulating a coherent personal philosophy of early childhood education grounded in theory and practice. Produces the philosophy statement required for the CDA portfolio.

Lesson 2 • Career Pathways and Ongoing Learning

Maps career advancement options beyond the CDA and identifies professional learning communities and resources. Motivates lifelong professional growth in the early childhood field.

Lesson 3 • Code of Ethical Conduct

Applies the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct to real-world dilemmas involving children, families, and colleagues. Develops principled decision-making as a professional habit.