Courses of Study : Career Tech: Human Services

1 ) Describe family structures and their impact on parenting, including stages of the family life cycle, functions of each family member, and ways to maintain a strong family.

2 ) Explain roles and responsibilities of parents across the child's life span.

3 ) Analyze factors that influence the decision to become a parent, including cost of having and rearing a child; environmental influences impacting the health of the child and mother; age, maturity, and genetics of the parents; and the need to assess career goals.

4 ) Explain the impact of birth defects on the decision to become a parent, including types, causes, prevention, and treatment.

5 ) Explain the social, financial, emotional, and educational challenges of teen pregnancy and parenthood, including the risks to the mother and child.

6 ) Determine factors associated with pregnancy and childbirth, including the signs and physical changes associated with pregnancy, stages of prenatal development, pros and cons of prenatal testing, stages of the birth process, and postnatal care for the mother and infant.

7 ) Recognize the impact children have on individual family members.

8 ) Compare child development theories.

9 ) Describe parenting practices for children who are gifted, mentally ill, or intellectually or physically disabled.

10 ) Determine ways parents meet children's physical, intellectual, emotional, and social needs, including promoting independence, enhancing a child's self-concept, teaching self-discipline, teaching consequences of behavior, building children's character, and selecting age-appropriate toys for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

11 ) Evaluate methods used by parents to help children cope with stress and family crisis.

12 ) Describe skills for promoting communication between parent and child.

13 ) Describe ways a parent can foster early brain development and lifelong learning.

14 ) Identify appropriate child care providers, agencies, services, resources, and other support systems available to meet the needs of parents and children.

15 ) Explain how parents protect children from harm, disease, and illness, including identifying preventive healthcare practices.

16 ) Summarize childhood emergency situations and appropriate responses.

17 ) Compare types, causes, and prevention of child abuse and neglect.

18 ) Prepare nutritious snacks and meals for children.

19 ) Determine the impact of technology on parenting and parenting practices.

20 ) Explain career options related to parenting, parent-child relationships, and services provided to parents.