The Child Development Club is a relatively new club on campus that is largely student-led and works to assist members in preparing for their major.
The club meets to plan events and provide information to members regarding employment opportunities in the field.
They stay up to date with the child development community around the Los Angeles area and invite employers to attend the meetings to reach out to members and inform them of services and opportunities available to them.
Members of the Child development club also receive emails within 24 hours of meetings to ensure that everyone has the same information and is aware of all the opportunities they have been presented with.
With minimal guidance from the faculty advisors, the club emphasizes leadership and group efforts.
“It absolutely teaches you leadership skills and some really valuable, real-life hands on experiences such as planning events,” adjunct professor and co-advisor Shoshana Grattidge said.
Although the club is a way for students to gain more knowledge regarding the child development field, the members range from nursing to business majors.
According to club president Tanisha Saunders, the diversity promotes great opportunities for growth. They build off of one another’s interest and curiosity for exploring the way children develop.
The club’s goal is to build and maintain relationships on and off campus. The members come together as a family and present potential job opportunities in the field.
They also plan events for young children to better prepare them for their career.
“Our mission statement is to make connections in the Early Childhood Education/Child Development Community, and to network with other students, professionals and stay up to date with our current practices; and to engage in philanthropic efforts for children and families,” as is stated on the club’s documents.
Last semester, club members hosted an event at the Pierce College Child Development Center for about 35 children with developmentally appropriate activities, activities that were specially planned keeping in mind safety, the children’s age and stage of development.
“The focus is on developmental appropriateness and fun. Things that are very hands on as opposed to trying to open their head and pour in information. We want the children to develop by doing,” child development professor and club faculty advisor Lila Snow said.
For some members, the Child Development Department offered the first time they had to interact with a child in a childcare facility, which served as a stepping stone in their career.
This semester, they will be setting up art activities for children during the Farm Walk at Pierce on April 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
They will also be attending a California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC) Conference in Pasadena, on April 1 and 2.
The club meets every Tuesday from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. in CD 6101