Child development classes provide fundamental information for childcare professionals. With about 153,100 job openings for childcare workers projected each year, it’s important that students are exposed to this career pathway and consider pursuing a job within it. Childcare pathway programs can help students get a head start in these careers.
It’s vital for students interested in these careers to understand child development, and hands-on learning can help. This style of learning can increase student engagement by 48 percent, making learning more fun and retaining the information covered easier for students. Fortunately, we’ve created a few tools that can help add meaning to your child development classes.
The following hands-on learning aids can help teach important child development knowledge and skills. They’ll provide a self-paced overview of fundamental information as well as introduce practical skill application. We’re also offering an activity from our RealCare Baby® 3 Infant Simulator curriculum for FREE. You can use this to help your students understand basic infant care today.
Engaging Tools for Teaching Child Development Classes
1. RealCare Baby® Infant Simulator
RealCare Baby (formerly known as Baby Think It Over® or BTIO®) is the world’s most advanced infant simulator. This smart baby adds meaning and accountability by using wireless programming to track and report on caregiver behaviors. Educators around the world use this unique learning aid to teach child development classes, early childhood education classes, and more.
2. RealCare Baby Experience Student Workbooks
Created from the curricula included with RealCare Baby (Baby), the RealCare Baby Experience Student Workbook is intended to be used with Baby. The workbook contains a compilation of activities that bring to life lessons on child development, childcare careers, and infant care skills. It includes a participant contract for taking Baby and activities, such as caregiver self-assessments.
3. Child Development Online Course
This Child Development Online Course covers key topics within child development classes, including pregnancy and childbirth, child development, and parenting. The online curriculum uses an engaging, self-paced format that features knowledge checks, pre- and post-assessments, and a certificate of completion. Supplement your program with select lessons as teaching time allows or focus on all 26 lessons for 20-25 hours of course content.
Additional Resources
- Explore our childcare program implementation page to see how you can work these resources into your program
- Watch our recently recorded webinar on creating an ideal childcare pathway
- Make sure you get your free basic infant care activity
- Read our blog on tools for teaching future education professionals
