Child and Family Studies
A.S. Child & Family Studies and Education · Napa Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
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
- Communicate with empathy to develop nurturing relationships with children parents and co-workers as well as support the parent-child relationship.
- Integrate concepts and components of developmentally appropriate practices into the daily curriculum to engage children at their level of understanding and ability.
- 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.
- Know, pursue, and implement brain development research and theory in teaching.
Degree Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses (35 units) | ||
| CDEV-C1000 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| CFS-121 | Health, Safety & Nutrition | 3 |
| CFS-122 | Principles & Practices of Teaching Young Children | 3 |
| CFS-124 | Observation & Assessment | 3 |
| CFS-135 | The Cognitive Development of Young Children | 3 |
| CFS-140 | The Child, Family and Community | 3 |
| CFS-145 | Language Development & Early Literacy | 3 |
| CFS-150 | Infant and Toddler Development | 3 |
| CFS-165 | Curriculum and Environments in Early Childhood Programs | 3 |
| CFS-184 | Teaching Children in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CFS-223 | Student Teaching - Practicum | 5 |
| Required Electives (3 units) | ||
| Complete three units from the following: | 3 | |
| CFS-151 | Care and Education for Infants and Toddlers | |
| CFS-155 | Sensitive Issues in Early Childhood | |
| CFS-180 | The Anthropology of Childhood | |
| CFS-250 | Adult Supervision and Mentoring in Early Care and Education | |
| CFS-270 | Admin & Supervision of Early Childhood Programs 1 | |
| CFS-130 | The Creative Process in Young Children | |
| CFS-185 | Trauma and Early Childhood Development | |
| CFS-190 | Children with Special Needs | |
| CFS-196 | Music and Movement in Early Childhood | |
| CFS-200 | Early Intervention Strategies | |
| CFS-225 | Fieldwork in Early Intervention | |
| CFS-271 | Supervision & Administration of Early Childhood Programs II | |
| EDUC-100 | Teaching as a Profession | |
| LGBT-120 | Introduction to LGBT Studies in the Family, Education and Community | |
| LGBT-121 | LGBT Communities, Family & Education in the 21st Century | |
| LGBT-122 | Transgender Identities and Issues | |
| LGBT-123 | AIDS in the LGBT Community and Beyond | |
| LGBT-199 | Independent Study In LGBT Education | |
| Total Units | 38 | |
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.