Childhood Studies Micro Credentials

                                    Click the badges above to learn more about our Micro Credential courses.

Admission Requirements Program Structure Tuition and Fees   Current Course Offerings

Childhood Studies at Keyano College is now offering Micro Credentials for graduates of Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Certificate.  This program allows students to progress at their own pace completing one or more course per year.

Program Structure

Exceptionality Specialization Badge

Students who complete three Exceptionality Specialization courses can receive the Exceptionality Specialization badge. Exceptionality Specialization Courses Code Course Name Course Description CHSD212 Exceptionality I Brain/Cognitive       This course examines the theoretical and educational concepts associated with students with exceptionalities in Alberta to include the following: Specific Learning Disabilities (SLP), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Developmental Delays (DD), Global Developmental Delay (GDD), Intellectual Disabilities (IDD), Auditory Processing Deficit (APD), and Sensory Integration Dysfunction. The role of the special needs educational assistant is considered in the context of programming and serving students based on educational needs rather than a clinical label. As such, aspects such as accommodations, strategies, physical changes to the environment, and the use of assistive technology are considered essential elements of the Educational Assistant's toolbox to adapt learning activities and materials for students with a range of academic, emotional and physical challenges.  CHSD213 Exceptionality II Physical/Medical This course will provide students with a practical overview of children's special health care needs they may encounter in the education field. We will explore diabetes, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, asthma, seizure disorders, spina bifida, and allergies. Knowledge of the exceptionality and strategies for working with children who have physical and/or medical needs will be included.   CHSD214 Exceptionality III Introduction to Communication Disorders Working one-to-one with children to improve their oral expressive skills and articulation is a frequent job requirement for educational assistants. Implementing programs prescribed by speech-language pathologists requires a deep knowledge of language and speech development. Issues and techniques involved in teaching children with communication disorders will be examined.   CHSD215  Exceptionality V  Behavioural Disorders  A variety of teaching techniques and strategies for working with children with behavioural disorders will be explored.

Communication Specialization Badge

Students who complete three Communication Specialization courses can receive the Communication Specialization Badge. Communication Specialization Courses Code Course Name Description CHSD223 Working with EAL Children This course is a resource of ideas and approaches for use with ESL children as they learn English. It offers sound, practical techniques and approaches in all four language skill areas, listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  CHSD224 Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder This course will enable the student to develop the understanding and skills to effectively support children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It emphasizes best practices in social skills development, behaviour management, and sensory integration therapy and communications systems for assisting children with ASD in inclusive programs. CHSD225 Working with Communication Disorders Working one-on-one with children to improve their communication skills is a frequent job requirement for educational assistants. Educational Assistants are required to understand a variety of treatment approaches for various communication disorders to appropriately implement programs developed by a Speech-Language Pathologist. Issues and techniques involved in teaching children with communication disorders will be discussed.

School-Age Specialization Badge

Students who complete three School-Age Specialization courses can receive the School-Age Specialization Badge. School-Age Specialization Courses Code Course Name Description EA217 Adolescents in the Classroom This course will enable the student to develop a greater knowledge of the unique needs of adolescents by examining adolescent development. It will provide the educational assistant with a repertoire of strategies and interventions to effectively support adolescents and their junior/senior high teachers. The goal will be to meet the academic, social and behavioural needs of the adolescent.   CHSD218 Supporting Students with Severe Emotional/Behavioral This course explores various ways to support students with severe emotional/ behavioral challenges in the classroom. Techniques that foster positive behaviour change and strategies that prevent challenging behaviour will be applied through the creation of behaviour support and crisis management plans. CHSD219 Supporting Students with Mental Health Concerns This course further examines the characteristics, signs and symptoms of the most common mental health concerns facing adolescent students. There will be an emphasis on exploring the stigma of mental illness and examining appropriate strategies to support students. CHSD220 School-Age Care This course will provide a brief overview of developmentally appropriate programs for children aged five to twelve outside of their formal school days. We will examine developmental milestones of school-age children, the roles their caregivers play to support their development, optimum school-age care environments, building community, and developmentally appropriate curriculum in school-age care settings. CHSD226 Fostering Diverse Learning Environments An introduction to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) in the classroom. This foundational course expands thinking while promoting the importance of continuous learning in the DE&I space.  The importance of learning from and with children and families to create a safe and diverse learning environment is explored. Incorporated in this course is a rudimentary history of residential schools in Canada and the principles of Truth and Reconciliation to promote inclusive learning environments.

Childhood Studies Best Practice Badge

The Childhood Studies Best Practice Badge is offered when students choose one course from each colour-coded specialization section.

Admission Requirements

To qualify for the Childhood Studies Micro-Credential program you must have one of the following:

• An employed Educational Assistant/ELCC in the field for 2 years or more.
• An employed EA/ELCC person who has previously worked in the childcare or school setting and can prove they have worked for two years of more with children. For PLAR consideration, applicants must be submitted must submit a completed PLAR form to the Office of the Registrar. PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment Recognition) provides a way of recognizing learning which has taken place on the job, in employment-based training, or in a variety of experiences outside of the workplace. 
• The ELCC students who have finished the ELCC certificate program in April 2022 and wish to continue their studies with three micro credential courses
• EA students who wish to obtain a specialization micro credential badge

For more information on how to get started please contact the Chair of Human Services. 

Current Course Offerings

Tuition and Fees

Please note, these estimates are based on 100% enrollment for all semesters.

* Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage - deadlines can be found at StudentCare website. 
** These programs have a mandatory Spring semester if students intend to graduate on time.
*** Tuition is due 10 business days before the start of each semester.

For more information view the Keyano College Credit Calendar.