This course is recommended for all students regardless of their career cluster or pathway to build basic parenting skills and is especially appropriate for students with interest in human services and education-related careers. While each of the topics listed in the course description should be addressed, emphasis placed on each topic may vary according to local needs and resources. A two-semester course goes into more depth with selected topics and provides more opportunities for authentic applications of content standards and competencies. This course is one of the six FACS courses from which students may choose three to fulfill the required Health and Safety credit. This course is one of the seven from which schools must select four to teach a minimum of once every other year in order to qualify for state vocational funding.
Children are the future of society, our most important global resource.
Doing it well requires a solid knowledge base about children, how they learn and grow, and how best to meet their needs. Through this course, students develop realistic, research-based expectations for children and how best to foster their physical, emotional, social, and psychological development. They develop abilities to interact positively with parents and children in their families and communities. They also gain awareness of the many types of careers that are available related to children. Students who have this preparation will be better parents, caregivers, and community members.