CDEV 8100 Child Observation

Spring 2025. CRN 40935.

Course Information

The CDEV 8100: Child Observation course is for parents, caregivers, and educators of children 15 months to kindergarten age. They come to the classes to further their knowledge of child development. A Child Development instructor facilitates a supportive, engaging, fun and inclusive learning space where participants gain practical child development knowledge and skills. Subjects covered include understanding a child’s social-emotional, cognitive, physical development, as well as the role of the environment, play and risk-taking in children’s learning. We also review topics related to child’s health, safety and nutrition and the utilization of community resources. The purpose of this non-credit class is for parents, caregivers and educators to gain practical skills and knowledge of child development, child rearing practices and early childhood education.

Reference: Course Outline of Record

This class is an asynchronous, online-hybrid class. What does that mean?

It means that the class work happens online through Canvas and we have a monthly, face-to-face meeting on campus. The course is offered as an asynchronous, online class, which means the student reviews the course content at their convenience each week during the current semester. The monthly meetings will take place at the John Adams Center (1860 Hayes St. SF. Room 56). Please see below for the dates of our in-person sessions.

In this course, you will learn to...

Describe typical behavior and development of children 15 months to kindergarten age.
Identify the stages of language development of children from 15 months to kindergarten age and ways to support language progress.
Summarize the role of play in the learning and development of children from 15 months to kindergarten age.
Recognize positive guidance strategies for children from 15 months to kindergarten age.

Your Textbook and Materials:

(Links to an external siRepresentative Books and Instructional Materials:

Ioanna Palaiologou. 2019. Child Observation: A Guide for Students of Early Childhood (Early Childhood Studies Series). Sage Publications.
Siegel, D., & Bryson, T. 2011. The whole-brain child. Delacorte Press.
Instructor-prepared handouts covering child growth & development, positive guidance, and other topics as needed.

Technology for this online class:

Do you need help using Canvas?

If you need technical support, Canvas Chat Support provides help via chat 24 hours/7 days a week. To access Canvas support chat follow these steps:

Click on the Help button (in the left vertical blue navigation bar)
Click on Chat with Canvas Support (Student) and fill in the information.
Click Start Chatting (the blue bottom bar). The link to Canvas guides in different languages is very convenient.
The Canvas Student Guide includes information on how to download and use Canvas Student.

Do you need help taking classes?

Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities. Students seeking disability related accommodations are encouraged to register with Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS). Please see the DSPS website for more information to make an appointment or call (415) 452-5481.

In Chinese: Please see the Home page of our Canvas class (DSPS) (415) 452-5481 預約
Spanish:  Se alienta a los estudiantes que buscan adaptaciones relacionadas con discapacidades a registrarse en los Programas y Servicios para Estudiantes Discapacitados (DSPS). Consulte el sitio web de DSPS para obtener más información para hacer una cita o llame al (415) 452-5481.

 More Help to Take Classes Online:

Username (for students): CCSF ID numbers, such as W12345678, or @12345678
Your Canvas password is your RAM ID password.
If you have login problems with your RAM ID, please contact the CCSF Helpdesk at (415) 239-3711 or Toll-Free at (844) 693-4357.
You can enroll in a quick course to learn more how to use Canvas. The name of this course is Passport to Canvas.
If you are new to learning online, review the Online Student Readiness Tutorial for information about learning online and how to best manage your time.
City College Resources to support your online learning experience.
- City College Online Support Center
- City College Disabled Students Programs and Services
Finally, I highly recommend that you set your Notifications in Canvas to forward Announcements and Inbox messages, or "Conversations," to your email and/or as a text message. This will enable you to get a notification immediately when I post a new Announcement or send you a message via the Inbox.

Important Dates

When does the class start and end?

Start & End Dates: Jan. 13 - May. 21, 2025.

In-Person Dates for Spring 2025: Feb. 10, March 10, April 14 and May 5 at 12:30 pm, at the John Adams Center, 1860 Hayes St. SF. Room 56.

This course is 17 weeks long. It is offered in the Spring from mid January to mid May and in the fall from mid August to mid December (no summer session available). This is a non-credit class with an "Open-Entry/Open-Exit" basis which means that "it is possible for a student to attend only part of a class during a semester."

For additional CCSF relevant dates, consult the CCSF Instructional Calendar and/or the CCSF Schedule of Classes (see the non credit classes, CDEV 8100).

Enrollment Information: Visit the following CCSF websites to Enroll in the College and to Register for Classes or Contact the CCSF Admissions & Records Office.

Course Syllabus

I have made the course syllabus available as a Word document, which is accessible by a screen reader: Accessible Syllabus CDEV 8100 Partially Online Hybrid, CCSF.