El Camino College Child Development Club Connects With Community

Press release from El Camino College:

June 10 2020

Members of the El Camino College Child Development Club recently discovered new ways to play and learn as they brought about 25 preschool-age children together for a first-ever virtual playgroup.

Planned and implemented by students in the El Camino Child Development Club, the 45-minute “You and Me Playgroup” featured many of the usual in-person activities, with club members adapting the program to fit into a virtual format. Another online playgroup for children 2-5 is set for 10:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday, June 6.

“We tried to keep the session as dynamic as possible to keep the group’s attention and interest, with activities such as ‘Simon Says,’ a freeze dance, and having the children identify objects with certain colors around their own environment,” said Maria Fernanda Salgado Martinez, an early child development major and president of the Child Development Club. “I believe that for our first time holding an event with young children online, it went pretty well. We were able to build a relationship and create interest for children to participate with us.”

The very active Child Development Club regularly hosts in-person events for youngsters, but members realized that they would have to move their efforts to an online platform when schools of all levels closed due to safer-at-home guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Salgado said that even though in-person instruction is always the best way to connect with young students, the virtual classes turned out to be a great success. A “School-Age Warrior Playtime” for youngsters ages 5-10 was also held last month.

“Children need to play, not only because they like it, but because play is the way that children are introduced to their world,” added Salgado, who plans to graduate this month. “Play is a natural learning strategy; children need to use their senses to learn, and they have to be involved in the process to be interested. We keep these ideas in mind when we work on playgroup activities.”

In addition to planning playgroups, Child Development Club members also attend online meetings every Thursday, featuring a professional development webinar/workshop for child development majors. The group recently learned about requirements pertaining to earning state-issued child development permits, which are required to work in state and federally funded child care programs. El Camino’s Child Development Permit Specialist Nancy Alvarez spoke at two webinars and provided information on the eligibility and application process for the different permit levels offered.

Other guest speakers gave virtual presentations to students, including a recent visit from a child development professional who shared insights about her education and career path. Each webinar/workshop has been attended by 40-85 participants. The Child Development Club has presented more than 250 professional development certificates this semester.

“I am extremely proud of our Child Development Club; students gain valuable professional experience working countless hours to provide much-needed support and activities for our ECC community,” said Cynthia Cervantes, an early childhood education instructor and club adviser. “I am honored to advise such an extraordinary group of students.”

Earlier this spring, Child Development Club students launched a "Pandemic Parenting" virtual workshop designed to provide a safe space for parents and caregivers to share ideas, obtain resources, and interact with a supportive community. The six-week series has been well attended, with positive feedback from participants. Topics include self-care, creating routines, and the power of play.

“Connecting with students and making sure they reach their goals are traits of effective teachers,” said El Camino College President Dena P. Maloney. “Our child development students are learning to be great teachers through El Camino’s curriculum and guidance from our outstanding faculty who help them put their lessons into practice. Additional activities offered by the Child Development Club enrich the educational experience and provide a service to the community.”

The Childhood Education department offers degrees and certificates in childhood education. After completing the program, students are prepared for careers in private or public programs that serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, children with special needs, or children in before- and after-school care. In the transfer degree option, students can continue their studies at a four-year college or university.

Students learn developmental theories that help refine their ability to observe and assess children’s physical and cognitive skills, then the club gives students like Salgado opportunities to learn even more.

“I always say that child development classes gave me the information I needed to understand children better, but the club gave me the experiences to put into practice,” she said. “In this club, I have the opportunity to experience and apply almost everything that I learn at school. It made me aware of strengthening the connection between families, community, and teachers to impact children’s lives. This club opened a huge world of possibilities to me. Because of all the activities I had the opportunity to participate in, I feel prepared for the next step in my life after graduating.”

El Camino College’s summer term begins June 22; the fall semester begins Aug. 22. Students may apply online at any time at www.elcamino.edu and by clicking on MyECC. For more information, view www.elcamino.edu or call toll free 1-866-ELCAMINO.

This press release was produced by the El Camino College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.