Below is the list of the required introductory and advanced courses. Online courses are delivered over 3 semesters each year.
To find the academic schedules and more information on application and registration dates, go to the important dates page.
Online course information
Once you've been accepted into the program you will receive information about upcoming courses. This will be available approximately 1 month before the start of class.
You'll be able to register for specific courses on the registration opening date. Please work with the academic advisor to plan what you want to take.
Contact the human services academic advisor if you need help setting up a program plan:
Please note:
- We recommend you take CO 118 Communication Skills as one of your first 2 courses in the certificate program.
- Check the course descriptions for pre and co-requisites.
Introductory (year 1) required courses (certificate)
| CO 118 Communication Skills - 3 credits |
| This communications course focuses on the development of academic and practical Human Services related writing skills. Students develop critical thinking skills and strategies for integrating their own ideas with those of other authors following APA guidelines for quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing source material. Students also develop skills in resume and cover letter writing, and in crafting other written documents used in the human services related workplace. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| ED 109 ECE Field Placement I - 5 credits |
| This course is a beginning practicum with emphasis on observation and practical experience in working with children. Students begin programming based on observations of children's needs and interests. Students incorporate Early Learning and Child Care philosophy in a work place experience. P/F. Prerequisites: None. Co-requisites: Students must have completed or be in the process of successfully completing 4 courses including HS 180 with an overall GPA of 2.0 or greater. |
| ED 110 ECE Field Placement II - 5 credits |
| This course is an advanced practicum with emphasis on programming based on observation of children's needs and interests. Students incorporate Early Learning and Child Care philosophy in a work place experience. P/F. Prerequisite: ED 109. Co-requisites: Students must have completed or be in the process of successfully completing 8 courses with an overall GPA of 2.0 or greater. |
| ED 120 Observation & Play - 3 credits |
| This course is an overview of the significance of play in the development of the child. It includes the nature and development of play in the environment. The course explores how early childhood educators co-construct meaningful play experiences with the children. Special consideration is given to observing, designing responsive environments, and focusing on children's natural disposition to learn in both indoor and outdoor play spaces. Pre/corequisites: None |
| ED 121 Early Childhood Professionalism - 3 credits |
| This course explores values, attitudes, ethics, and commitment involved in working professionally with young children and families. Roles and responsibilities, conflict resolution, and how to be a professional team member are examined. An appreciation of family encourages and enhances student's self-awareness and ability to interact respectfully with children and families. Professional interactions involving interviewing skills and making presentations are practiced. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| HE 158 Health, Safety & Nutrition - 3 credits |
| This course examines the health, safety, and nutrition needs of young children. It includes practical applications for supporting these needs in an early childhood environment. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| HS 114 Lifespan Studies I - 3 credits |
| This course provides students with an understanding of the developing child from birth to five years. It traces the changes that occur physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually during this period in an individual's life. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| HS 155 Positive Behaviour Supports - 3 credits |
| The course includes an examination of attitudes, values, and skills within a holistic approach to support social and emotional development in terms of positive behaviours. Opportunities for examining the dynamics of behaviour are provided. This course also discusses various strategies to support the development of social and emotional skills and prosocial behaviour. Pre/co-requisites: None |
HS 180 Art, Music & Movement Experiences - 3 credits
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| This course is an exploration of curriculum planning, implementation and evaluation in the areas of art, games, movement and music. These areas are explored within the framework of a play oriented, emergent curriculum approach. This approach enables students to design and implement experiences for children. Students are provided the opportunity to acquire strategies for supporting the development of children in early learning, school and community settings. Pre/corequisites: None |
HS 182 Literacy, Math & Science Experiences - 3 credits
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This course is an exploration of planning, implementation and evaluation in the areas of children’s literature, language arts, math and science. Students have the opportunity to observe, research, design and implement experiences with children using a play orientated, emergent curriculum approach. Emphasis is placed on supporting the developmental needs of children in early learning, school and community settings. Prerequisite: HS 180. Co-requisites: None
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| HS 240 Family Studies - 3 credits |
| This course is an introduction to the Family. The focus of this course includes various ways of viewing family, diversity, economics, and social influences that determine the family's ability to thrive in society. Students have the opportunity to explore different theoretical ways of viewing the family. The course also explores issues of marriage, variations in families, parenting, crises, separation, divorce, and remarriage as well as provides practical suggestions in working with families as they face many challenges. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| SS 245 Infant & Toddler Care - 3 credits |
| This course is designed to link the theoretical base of infant development to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of home based and group settings for infants and toddlers. It examines responsive caregiving practices, early learning environments, and development of this age group. Pre/co-requisites: None |
Note: After successfully completing the first year required courses, you will apply to graduate with a certificate in Early Childhood Education (Level 2). You then need to apply to the diploma in Early Childhood Education program in order to take Year 2 required courses and obtain a Level 3.
Advanced (year 2) required courses (diploma)
ED 235 Leadership & Management in ECE - 3 credits
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| This course integrates a humanistic perspective into the organizational frameworks of early childhood settings. Students explore policy and procedure in conjunction with the needs of children, staff, parents, and community. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Education certificate. Co-requisites: None |
ED 238 Outdoor & Nature Play - 3 credits
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| This course explores outdoor and nature play in a variety of early learning environments. This involves examining the views of learning in and with nature, the benefits of outdoor play, and the role of the educator in a nature-based curriculum. Approaches include Reggio-inspired programs, forest and nature schools and indigenous and land-based education. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Education certificate. Co-requisites: None |
| ED 243 Emergent Environments for Children - 3 credits |
| This course is designed to enable students to apply observation skills, documentation, and curriculum approaches to develop program planning and design the environment in early learning settings. It examines narrative descriptions and the implementation of an emergent curriculum through play with respect to a child centered and educator facilitated approach. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Education. Corequisites: None |
| HS 115 Foundations of Inclusion - 3 credits |
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This course introduces students to inclusive attitudes and approaches in the context of disability studies. Students develop an awareness of the nature of disability, neurodiversity, and developmental diversity, and explore the bias, stigma and systemic challenges which often create barriers to inclusion and support. Students gain the knowledge and skills required for person-centered, inclusive practices. Pre/corequisites: None
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| HS 202 Community Advocacy and Partnerships - 3 credits |
| This course explores the link between the developmental needs of children and youth and community programming. Students research and analyze community needs and resources through the lens of engaging children/youth. Students plan program experiences to benefit children and youth. Emphasis is placed on developing students’ understanding of community programs and leadership and group management skills while designing/planning a variety of activities, which enhance opportunities for children/youth in the community. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| HS 225 Supporting Diverse Needs - 3 credits |
| This course provides students with an understanding of person-centered, strengths-based approaches to supporting diversity and promoting positive outcomes for those with disabilities. Discussions, activities and case studies provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to engage in critical inquiry about minimizing barriers to access, supporting diverse needs and engaging in advocacy. Prerequisite: HS 115. Corequisites: None |
| HS 230 Sensory Development - 3 credits |
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This course examines brain development and sensory processing as it relates to planning activities for children. Special emphasis is placed on sensory processing differences. This course explores strategies in relation to designing and adapting environments to meet the needs of children.
Pre/co-requisites: None |
| HS 242 Intercultural Competencies - 3 credits |
| This course is designed to develop interpersonal and intercultural awareness, attitudes, knowledge, and skills. Students explore their own worldviews and assumptions with the goal of reducing bias, fostering awareness and inclusivity, and promoting advocacy. The course offers students an opportunity to examine different ways of knowing, communicating, and navigating conflicts while building interpersonal and intercultural relationship skills. Pre/corequisites: None |
| MH 201 Infant & Toddler Mental Health - 3 credits |
| This course is designed to provide a foundation in the concepts and theories related to supporting infant/toddler mental health. This course explores infant/toddler mental health with a special focus on attachment theory. Students have the opportunity to learn specific strategies to promote healthy families in relation to supporting infant/toddler social emotional development. Prerequisite: SS 245. Co-requisites: None |
| HS 270 ECE Online Field Placement III - 5 credits |
This practicum in the second year emphasizes reflective practice related to the operation of an approved child care setting. Students complete a portfolio and implement programming with mentorship from a director. For this practicum, the focus is on analyzing current practice within a work integrated setting in relation to courses. P/F. Prerequisites: None. Corequisites: Students must have completed or be in the process of successfully completing 4 diploma courses including ED243 with an overall GPA of 2.0 or greater.
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| HS 271 ECE Online Field Placement IV - 5 credits |
This course is the concluding practicum of the second year Early Childhood Education program. Reflecting and building on their learning experiences of the previous practicum, students plan, set up, implement, and evaluate an early learning and child care program with guidance from supervising personnel. P/F. Prerequisites: HS 270. Corequisites: Students must have completed or be in the process of successfully completing 8 diploma courses in Early Childhood Education diploma program with an overall GPA of 2.0 or greater.
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Diploma electives (choose one)
| ASL 101 American Sign Language I Part A - 3 credits |
| In this course, students are introduced to American Sign Language (ASL), its culture, and to the community of Deaf persons who use this language. Students learn how to have basic conversations as well as use appropriate behaviours within the Deaf Community. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| HS 183 Personal Assistance Awareness - 3 credits |
| This course provides the human services worker with a basic understanding of personal assistance practices for supporting individuals with physical limitations and disabilities. Students are introduced to personal care skills and medical procedures, focusing on activities for daily living (ADL), which are essential to supporting children, youth, and adults with physical limitations and disabilities across different settings. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| YC 218 Animal Assisted Interventions - 3 credits |
| Animal Assisted Interventions is a unique and growing field in working with Children, youth, and families. This course explores why/how qualified practitioners partnering with animals can be such an effective helping modality. An overview of the different ways animals can partner with practitioners to help people is provided. Students should take this course to gain a better understanding of the human - animal bond and the potential benefits of partnering with animals in practice. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| YC 236 Assessment and Intervention - 3 credits |
| This course is designed to combine knowledge related to intervention and case management procedures in human services. Students are provided with a variety of intervention strategies. The students develop their skills relating to case management for children, youth and families who face adversity. Pre/corequisites: None |
About field placement/practicum
You need a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) to be eligible for your practicum.
You must have completed or be in the process of successfully completing:
- 4 certificate courses including HS 180 to be eligible to register for ED 109 ECE Field Placement I
- 8 certificate courses to register for ED 110 ECE Field Placement II
- 4 diploma courses including ED 243 to be eligible to register for ED 230 ECE Field Placement III or HS 270 ECE Online Field Placement III
- 8 diploma courses to register for ED 231 ECE Field Placement IV or HS 271 ECE Field Placement IV
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
You can find this information on the important dates page. Please note: Lakeland College reserves the right to cancel programs and courses due to insufficient enrolment.
