Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: identify the requirements of a safe, healthy learning environment; establish and maintain a safe, healthy environment for young children; define emotional and cognitive development; develop educational programs that promote the social and emotional development of children and improve motor, language, and cognitive development of children, including literacy development; advance the physical, cognitive, communicative and creative development of young children; utilize positive guidance techniques to support development of child; define assessment as it relates to children in the early care setting; apply the principles of screening and assessment of young children; establish productive relationships with families and promote involvement and positive relationships with families and the community; identify components required to ensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participants' needs; identify and implement effective early childhood program management techniques; list requirements to maintain a commitment to professionalism and to document professional growth; and prepare an early childhood professional portfolio.