Harper College will be closed on Wednesday, February 12 in observance of Lincoln's Day.
Program facts
Begin your career as an educator with the 15-credit-hour Infant/Toddler Teacher Assistant program. This certificate provides you with foundational training in infant/toddler care and education.
You’ll take courses focused on areas such as child development; infant/toddler programs; principles of early childhood curriculum; and health, nutrition and safety. Additionally, you’ll get hands-on experience working with children at the Harper College Early Childhood Laboratory School, an on-site preschool, where you’ll train under the guidance of certified education professionals.
Credit earned for this certificate can be applied to the Early Childhood Education A.A.S. Degree at Harper College.
This 15 credit-hour certificate program will qualify students for the Illinois Infant Toddler Credential - Level 2. Students will need to complete an IL Gateways application. This certificate will provide an assistant teacher in a licensed child care facility with basic knowledge in infant/toddler care and education.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
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Description: Provides an overview of early childhood care and education, including the basic values, structure, organization and programming. Examination of the student’s personal qualities in relationship to expectations of the field. Directed observation in a variety of programs and settings. Six (6) hours of observation required. (NOTE: The program’s health requirements must be completed prior to observation.) Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| ECE 102 | Child Development | 3 |
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Description: Provides a study of human development from conception through adolescence. Includes research methods and developmental theories. Address all major areas of development (physical, social, emotional and cognitive, language, and aesthetic) and the interaction among these areas. Also examines current research and major developmental theoretical points of view, including those of Piaget, Erikson, Vygotsky, Skinner, Gardner and others. Explores child development in the context of gender, family, culture, socio-economics, race, ethnicity, religion, and society. Emphasis is on the implication for early childhood professional practice. IAI ECE 912 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| ECE 111 | Infant /Toddler Programs | 3 |
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Description: Examines the theories and research (including early intervention) related to infants and toddlers with a focus on methods of care given in home-based and school-based infant programs. Five (5) hours of observation of infants/toddlers and related program are required. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| ECE 115 | Principles of Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 |
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Description: Provides an overview of principles involved in planning, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate curriculum. Includes lesson plans, emerging curriculum, scheduling, room arrangement, materials and equipment; individual, small and large group activities; short and long term goals; and teacher’s roles and responsibilities in curriculum development. Three (3) hours of observation required. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in ECE 102 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| ECE 250 | Health, Nutrition and Safety | 3 |
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Description: Focuses on personal health of the individual, including nutrition and health and safety issues, with emphasis on meeting health needs for children in group settings. A healthy lifestyle, preventive health and community health are examined. One (1) hour of observation is required. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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Students interested in early childhood education may also be interested in:
For more information about infant/toddler aide courses at Harper, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.
Please note: This program is not financial aid eligible.