Program Outline

Program Admission Requirements

• All applicants must be high school graduated or equivalent.

• Age must 19 years or older to be consider as a Mature student
• Applicants must demonstrate at least one accepted English language proficiency qualification (e.g. IELTS Academic 5.5+, TOEFL iBT 46+, CELPIP, Duolingo 95+, PTE Academic 43+, and other accepted tests

For more information, view our Admission Requirements

What You’ll Learn

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the principles and theories of child guidance and their application in early learning and care settings
• Describe how developmental stages, temperament, family and cultural contexts influence children’s
  behaviour
• Use observation and documentation techniques to interpret children’s behaviour and identify underlying
  needs
  
• Apply developmentally appropriate guidance strategies that promote self-regulation and conflict resolution
• Create inclusive, responsive environments that foster children’s self-esteem and social-emotional growth
  
• Demonstrate respectful, ethical, and culturally responsive practices with children, families, and colleagues
  
• Develop strategies to support social-emotional development in collaboration with families and community
  resources

4-Week Course Outline

Week 1 — Foundations of Child Guidance

• Introduction to child guidance in early learning settings
  
• Behaviour as communication
• Child development and guidance
• Theories of behaviour and learning
• Role of the ECEA in behaviour support

Week 2 — Positive Guidance Strategies

• Building positive relationships
• Positive communication techniques
  
• Creating supportive environments
• Encouragement vs. praise
• Preventing challenging behaviour

Week 3 — Supporting Social-Emotional Development

• Self-regulation and emotional literacy
• Conflict resolution
• Problem-solving with children
• Guidance for diverse learners
• Cultural responsiveness and inclusion
  

Week 4 — Responsive Practice & Family Partnerships

• Understanding challenging behaviours
• Individual guidance planning
• Family engagement and communication
• Ethical and professional responsibilities
• Final behaviour guidance plan + reflection

Program Format
This course is delivered fully online through Moodle, Winston College’s learning management system, using an asynchronous format. You’ll work through pre-recorded lectures, structured weekly modules, discussion forums, assignments, and instructor-guided assessments — following a set curriculum with weekly milestones from start to finish. Studying online means you can fit coursework around your existing schedule, not that you’re left to learn on your own: an instructor provides feedback and guidance throughout the 4 weeks.

Completion requirement: Students must achieve a minimum overall grade of 60% and complete all required assessments to successfully complete the course.
Technology requirements: a computer or laptop, reliable internet connection, webcam and microphone, access to the Learning Management System, and PDF reader/word processing software.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of this course may support students in pursuing entry-level opportunities related to early learning and child care, subject to applicable provincial certification and employment requirements. Potential career and employment settings may include:

• Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA)
• Child Care Assistant
• Daycare Assistant
• Preschool Assistant
• Early Learning Assistant
• Child Development Assistant
• Before-and-After-School Care Worker
• Infant/Toddler Program Assistant

For detailed information, please contact our Admissions Officer
admission@winstoncollege.com or call +1-604-357-8022.