IdahoSTARS Child Care Courses
Free Certified On-Line Child Care Provider and Parent Training for anyone.
IdahoSTARS approved training modules for child care providers, all you need to do is start and complete the course(s) of your choosing below, send the information to the e-mail address below and your information will be forwarded to the IdahoSTARS training office upon completion. You do not need to register for the course before taking it. If you would like to join the IdahoSTARS professional development system, call 211 (or 800-926-2588) and ask for your local child care resource and referral office to register and complete orientation. You can also join a discussion on child behavior for child care providers by clicking here.
There is no charge for these courses.
Anyone can take the courses and receive a certificate.
Click on any of the following topics to begin and complete the course.
Component 1: Child Growth and Development
• Knowledge and understanding of developmental stages, processes, theories and their implications for work with children and families
Brain Development:
3 hours
The development of the infant and toddler brain is dependent on our genetics, the mothers behaviors and decisions while pregnant and the child’s environment after birth (including nutrition). This course will provide concrete information on some of the things you can do to help children develop to their fullest potential.
Child Development: What is typical child development? What can you do if you have concerns? What is Child Development Screening?
3 hours An overview of child development, the value of screening and resources for when you believe a child may need additional help. Includes expert videos and external links.
Social/Emotional Development: 6 hours total (3 hours under Component 1 and 3 hours under Component 3)
An overview of a child's social/emotional development including practical information on things parents, childcare providers, and young children can do to enhance their social/emotional development.
Component 2: The Environment, Curriculum and Practice
• Developmentally appropriate practice that supports physical, social-emotional, cognitive and creative development
Component 3: Character Building and Development
• Ability to identify developmentally appropriate behavior with a variety of positive guidance strategies that promote self-regulation, respect for others and meet the needs of all children.
CHILD BEHAVIOR: Why does s/he do that? and What can I do about it?
5 hours An overview of causes of child behavior including the areas that need to be reviewed and addressed before additional professional intervention specific to the child. Includes videos from experts, external links for additional information, additional resources, and where to call for more help.
Social/Emotional Development: 6 hours total (3 hours under Component 1 and 3 hours under Component 3)
An overview of a child's social/emotional development including practical information on things parents, childcare providers, and young children can do to enhance their social/emotional development.
Component 4: Relationships with Families
• Building collaborative relationships with families and community resources to maximize support and services for each child and family
Component 5: Observing, Recording and Assessing Child Outcomes
• Understanding the how and why of observing children and utilization of informal, authentic, and formal assessment techniques as a tool for curriculum planning, goal setting for individuals in partnerships with parents, and preparation of the learning environment to enhance growth and learning
Component 6: Program Operation and Administration
• Knowledge of regulations, policies, and quality standards that apply to the program and how to organize, evaluate and implement regulations and standards to enable a quality environment
Component 7: Professionalism and Leadership
• Making a commitment to the early childhood profession by advocating for quality programs and services while adhering to the professional code of ethics and keeping current in the field of early childhood education and child development
Stress Reduction and Management, for Adults and Adults working with Children: A Training Outline: Especially for Parents, Child Care Providers, Teachers, Trainers et. etc.
2 hours An overview of stress prevention, management, and reduction for both children and adults. Includes both long-term and immediate techniques for reducing and managing stress.
Component 8: Health, Safety and Nutrition
• Ensure child safety, promote health practices, recognize and respond to child abuse and neglect, and provide nutritious meals and snacks
Component 9: Special Needs
• Knowledge and understanding of developmental stages, processes, theories and their implications for work with children with disabilities and their families and to provide inclusive opportunities
Caring for Children with Autism and
Aspergers
4
hours
Before taking this course, it is recommended you take both
the Child Development and Inclusion
course. These courses will provide you with important information
and alert you to valuable resources. (If you are taking this
course for child care hours,
you only need to make three comments or two comments and one question, and write
the paper.)
INCLUSION Including Children with Physical, Social/Emotional, and Intellectual Disabilities in Child Care
3 hours
Component 10: Protective Factors
• Knowledge and understanding of the five protective factors and seven strategies as defined by Strengthening Families through Early Care and Education
To receive credit for hours you must:
1. Read the
material. It purposefully leaves room for questions and
discussion.
2. Click on the
discussion links to make comments and/or ask questions in the
blogs which are linked from the course pages here on the site. This allows other
to gain from your comments and questions. Like many classes, participation
counts. Anyone can come to this website and make comments. Weigh everything you
read carefully. As you read each others comments, like any class, some may be
wonderfully insightful and helpful and some may be questionable. Please include
your name or some identifier in the blog where you made your comments so I can
recognize your participation. I will include my name at the bottom of my
comments and responses.
Send the paper with your name, address, email, phone number, along with the training title, component number, and completion date and when complete, I will forward to IdahoSTARS where they will enter it into the database. Write IdahoSTARS in the subject line of the e-mail and tell me where you made your comments/questions. Please send the e-mail to: crpetepetersen@ymail.com You will need to complete the reflective evaluation two week after completing the course in order to finalize credit with IdahoSTARS.
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