Online Self-Paced CDA Course

This Self-Paced CDA Course is conducted through the CCSN online training platform for participants who need the flexibility to start and stop the course at their own pace.

Participants log in to view all required course material, view additional reference material, complete their lessons, take tests, and receive interactive guidance from the course instructor. Live trainings via Zoom are included on student-requested subjects such as potty training, positive teacher interaction, teaching letters, and classroom transitions. Participants can interact directly with the instructor via email and through a private Facebook Group where fellow participants can also interact with each other.

Bonus: FREE access to our 3-hour CDA Portfolio Workshop video webinar is included! ($67 value)

Student testimonials about Instructor Lakeshia Nnamani

About the Online Self-Paced CDA Course

The objective of this course is to fulfill 120 clock hours of training in the 8 CDA subject areas, complete the required CDA Portfolio and prepare for the CDA Verification Visit. Upon completion of this course, participants will be ready to apply for the CDA Credential.

The curriculum is organized by the CDA Functional Area. Each functional area will include pre-recorded videos, a training, comprehension questions, short answer questions, and case study scenarios. All homework assignments must be completed by the end of the curriculum in order to receive certification for the completion of this course. Short answer questions and case study scenarios require review from the instructor who will have 2 weeks to review all responses. Participants will have 6 months of access to complete the course.

• Participants choose their credential setting from Infant-Toddler (Center, ages 0-2), Preschool (Center, ages 3-5), or Family Child Care (Home, ages 0-5).

• Self-paced format allows participants to complete the course at their own pace (English only).

• Includes videos to watch online and written trainings to read online.

• Following each training, participants will complete 5-10 True/False or Multiple Choice questions and 2 Case Study scenarios and 2 short answer questions.

• Interact directly with the instructor via email and through a private Facebook Group.

• FREE access to our 3-hour CDA Portfolio Workshop video webinar…a $67 value!

How to get CDA Certified FREE 15-minute webinar

Lakeshia Nnamani, M. Ed., has over a decade of experience as an early childhood educator and many years of experience instructing CDA courses. As an early childhood educator, she served as a pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teacher, preschool owner, child development professor, and early childhood trainer.

CDA Course content

Functional Area 1: Safe - Health & Safety: Keeping Children Physically Safe (Video), Teaching Children About Safety (Video), Modeling Safe Practices (Video), Responding to Injuries and Emergencies (Video), Engaging Families in Safe Practices (Video), Protecting the Children in Your Care (Training Vol: 4.01), Emergency Preparedness: Prepare for the Worst, Be Ready for the Best (Training Vol: 12.03), Strategies for Effective Visual Supervision (Training Vol: 4.12), Handling, Storing, Disposing of Hazardous Materials (Training Vol: 13.08).

Functional Area 2: Healthy, - Health & Safety: Promoting Wellness (Video) Supporting Wellness During Routines (Video) Responding to Illness (Video) Helping Children Develop Good Health Practices (Video) Partnering with Families (Video) Classroom Design: Effective Environments = Quality Learning (Training Vol: 7.09) The Importance of Play in Child Development (Training Vol. 1.05) Transition Times: Keys to Navigating Them Successfully (Training Vol: 10.05)

Functional Area 3: Learning Environment - Health & Safety: Designing an Environment to Promote Development and Learning (Video), Selecting Appropriate Materials (Video), Planning Curriculum for Young Children (Video), Developing the Daily Schedule (Video), Implementing the Daily Schedule (Video), Classroom Design: Effective Environments = Quality Learning (Training Vol: 7.09), The Importance of Play in Child Development (Training Vol: 1.05), Transition Times: Keys to Navigating Them Successfully (Training Vol: 10.05).

Functional Area 4: Physical Development - Physical and Intellectual Development: Understanding the Physical Development of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers (Video), Promoting Gross Motor Development (Video), Promoting Physical Fitness (Video), Supporting Fine Motor Development (Video), Connecting Physical Development to the Development of the Whole Child (Video), Playing Outside: Increasing Intelligence and Physical Skills (Training Vol: 11.09), Promoting an Active Learning Environment for Spirited Children (Training Vol: 11.02), Creating Opportunities to Expand Fine & Gross Motor Skills (Training Vol: 4.04), Enhancing Motor Skill Development (Training Vol: 10.05).

Functional Area 5: Cognitive Development - Physical & Intellectual Development: Understanding the Cognitive Development of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers (Video), Major and Related Theories of Cognition (Video), Learning Through Play (Video), Learning Throughout the Day (Video), Supporting Children’s Content Learning (Video), Lesson Planning From Scratch: How to Create Your Own Curriculum (Video), Meeting the Special Needs of Children (Training Vol: 2.01), Mastering the Toilet: Tips Toward a Toddler’s Independence (Training Vol: 6.06), Eight Different Ways Kids Learn (Training Vol: 5.12), The Mindfulness Connection: and its Impact on Early Childhood (Training Vol: 10.10), Teaching Science to Preschoolers (Training Vol: 9.03), Simple is Often Better in Math & Science (Training Vol: 3.04), Tell Me a Story! Stories, Storytelling Build Literacy Skills (Training Vol: 3.06), Creating Effective Lesson Plans for Preschoolers (Training Vol: 9.08).

Functional Area 6: Communication - Physical & Intellectual Development: Understanding the Language & Literacy Development of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers (Video), Creating a Language and Literacy Learning Environment (Video), Supporting Children’s Oral Language Development (Video), Fostering Children’s Reading Development (Video), Fostering Children’s Writing Development (Video), Supporting Dual Language Learners (Video), Partnering with Families (Video), Creating a ‘Language-Rich’ Environment (Training Vol: 2.04), A Step by Step Process in Language Development (Training Vol: 10.08), Speech and Language Development (Training Vol: 13:12).

Functional Area 7: Creative - Physical & Intellectual Development: Recognizing Creativity (Video), Making a Case for the Arts (Video), Designing Environments that Promote Creativity (Video), Supporting Creativity Through Daily Interactions and Experiences (Video), Promoting Creativity Through the Visual Arts (Video), Fostering Creativity Through Music and Movement (Video), Encouraging Creativity Through the Dramatic Arts (Video), The Value of Art in Learning (Training Vol: 7.07), Creating Age-appropriate Activities & Projects (Training Vol: 9.06).

Functional Area 8: Self - Social Emotional Development: Understanding the Emotional Development of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers (Video), Promoting Children’s Sense of Self (Video), Helping Children Develop Self-Esteem (Video), Guiding Children in Expressing Their Feelings (Video), Helping Each Child Flourish (Video), Are Today’s Preschoolers Too Rushed? (Training Vol: 8.11), Fostering Resilience in Preschoolers Affected by Trauma (Training Vol: 12.11), Using Language to Inspire Positive Self-Esteem (Training Vol: 12.07), Using Rewards Effectively (Training Vol: 7.08).

Functional Area 9: Social - Social Emotional Development: Introduction (Video), Using the Environment to Encourage Positive Social Interactions (Video), Supporting Children’s Play (Video), Encouraging Children’s Positive Relationships (Video), Fostering Prosocial Behavior (Video), Social and Emotional Milestones: What to Expect and When (Training Vol: 11.07), Guidelines & Strategies for Helping Children with Autism (Training Vol: 9.04), Connect Before Correct: Rethinking our Approach to Behaviors (Training Vol: 13.03), Developing Friendship Skills (Training Vol: 8.03).

Functional Area 10: Guidance - Social Emotional Development: Setting the Stage for Positive Behavior (Video), Using Positive Guidance as a Teaching Strategy (Video), Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behaviors (Video), Replacing Time-Out with Time-In (Video), Stopping Bullying Among Preschoolers (Video), Partnering With Families (Video), ADD and IEPs: Observation, Intervention, Behavior Management (Training Vol: 5.08), Understanding Problematic Behaviors by Identifying their Message (Training Vol: 11.05), Time-Out Techniques: What Works, What Doesn’t & Other Tips (Training Vol: 3.02), The Role of Observation & Documentation (Training Vol: 7.01), Keeping Your Cool: Dealing with Tantrums and Aggression (Training Vol: 1.01), Discipline as Easy as 1, 2, 3 (Training Vol: 1.03), Strategies to Identify and Prevent Bullying (Training Vol: 1.08), Why Do Children Bite? What can be done about it (Training Vol: 2.12).

Functional Area 11: Families - Productive Relationships with Families: Defining Family (Video), Partnering With Families (Video), Encouraging Family Engagement (Video), Communicating With Families (Video), Holding Formal Meetings With Families (Video), Supporting Child Development at Home (Video), Respecting Different Cultures (Training Vol: 9.11), Creating a Child Care Environment that is Culturally Diverse (Training Vol: 10.11), Bridging the Gap: Improving Communication with Parents (Training Vol: 1.06), The Importance of Parents as Partners (Training Vol: 6.09), Building Meaningful Relationships with Families (Training Vol: 10.06), Establishing Effective Relationships with Parents (Training Vol: 9.09).

Functional Area 12: Program Management: Assessing Through Observation (Video), Children’s Learning (Video), Planning and Evaluating (Video), Recordkeeping (Video), Working with Colleagues and the Community (Video), How Does Your Child Care Facility Rate (Training Vol: 2.08), Effective Leaders = Good Employees & Programs (Training Vol: 9.12), Beating Burnout: Child Care Providers Play Crucial Role (Training Vol: 4.11), Minimum Standards of Care for Providers (Training Vol: 12.02).

Functional Area 13: Professionalism: With Intentionality and Reflection (Video), Making Ethical Decisions (Video), Articulating Values, Vision, and Passion (Video), Continuing Your Professional Development (Video), Advocating for Children and Families (Video), Professional Conduct (Video), Staff Motivation: Helping Teachers Enjoy their Work (Training Vol: 8.10), Teamwork: Effectively Leading, Relating & Communicating (Training Vol: 5.03), Professionalism in Child Care (Training Vol: 12.12), The Professional Early Childhood Teacher (Training Vol: 10.09).

Training Length: 120 hours

Price