Revised 08/2025

CHD 205 - Guiding the Behavior of Children (3 CR.)

Course Description

Emphasizes social development and guidance. Presents practices that are respectful and meet the emotional needs of individual children. Addresses strategies for communicating expectations, promoting prosocial behaviors, preventing, and minimizing behavioral challenges through careful planning of the learning environment, curriculum, and teacher guidance. Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

To familiarize the student with the development and range of typical childhood emotions and behavior and provide the student with practical techniques for helping to guide young children's behavior in positive ways.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Functional literacy in the English language; reading at the 12th grade level.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Describe the developmental characteristics of the whole child: physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language.
  • Design and implement observation and planning strategies for supporting children's social development.
  • Demonstrate developmentally appropriate expectations related to behavior and explain the role of the educator in supporting the development of self-regulation skills.
  • Demonstrate culturally responsive classroom guidance strategies that promote positive behavior supports for young children.
  • Analyze the impact of individual, family, and community influences in guiding children's behavior.
  • Identify and implement trauma-informed strategies for young children and their families.
  • Select equitable and inclusive strategies and supports for young children.
  • Identify risk and resilience factors related to child abuse and the role of the educator in promoting positive supports.
  • Identify and apply learning standards and assessments as they relate to child guidance and early childhood development.
  • Describe social/emotional assessments used with young children.
  • Identify and apply current State and National standards and competencies as they relate to working with children and families.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Social emotional development
  • Strategies for promoting relationships and classroom climate
  • Classroom environment and routines
  • Trauma informed care and responses
  • Intersections of behavioral responses
  • Sources of information regarding developmental assessment and referral for children with special needs.