Family Consumer Science Department

Main Office: (203) 797-4800

Attendance Office: (203) 790-2893 or (203) 790-2864

BASIC FOODS (LEVEL 2) 9-12

This course is designed to meet the needs of students who have limited ability in literacy and numeracy. Regular education peer helpers will work with groups of students to model age appropriate behavior and serve as assistants in food preparation. The students will learn some basic nutrition in order to help them make healthy food choices. The goal of this class is for all students to acquire the skills in basic food preparation that are necessary for independent living.


CLOTHING & TEXTILE ART I (LEVEL 3) 9-12

This course enables students to develop proficiency in clothing construction and to utilize knowledge of textiles in selection of fabric and ready made garments. An individualized approach will permit beginners to participate on an elementary level and more advanced students to select more complex projects.

FOOD AND NUTRITION (LEVEL 3) 9-12

In this course, students will develop skills in planning, preparing, and serving nutritious meals. It includes the study of nutrition, management techniques, consumer decisions, and principles of food preparation.

INTERNATIONAL FOODS (LEVEL 3) 9-12

This course helps students to become familiar with the cultures and cuisines of a variety of countries, regions, and ethnic groups. Units of instruction include regional foods, foreign foods, and food history. Approval of instructor required. PREREQUISITE: Food and Nutrition or Culinary Arts Training

BIRTH THROUGH TWO (LEVEL 3) 10-12

This course will examine the beginnings of childhood by learning about development from conception until age three. Students will explore the topics of pregnancy and childbirth, characteristics of infants and toddlers, baby care, typical early childhood problems, and positive parenting techniques. Related topics such as adoption, hereditary diseases, and new childbearing techniques will also be
covered.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT (LEVEL 3) 10-12

This course will study the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children ages 3-5 years. Students will learn positive child care techniques and teaching techniques which will be demonstrated as they work with children in Little Hatter’s Nursery School at DHS during the second semester. Preschoolers from the community will attend the nursery school for approximately 12 weeks from March until June. High school students will have the opportunity to observe and interact with the children in the nursery setting. High school students (in groups of 3 or 4) will be assigned a day of teaching where they will prepare a typical lesson plan for preschoolers including songs, story time, games, art activities, and a healthy snack. In addition to the nursery school experience, related topics include: creativity, childhood nutrition, safety, child abuse prevention, disability awareness, children’s literature and music enrichment. Students enrolling in this program must be mature enough to behave in a professional manner with the children and be capable of completing independent work. If further study is desired, students may enroll in one or more of the following: Birth through Two, Early Childhood Workshop, Infant Toddler Practicum, or UConn Individual and Family Development. This course will assist in preparation for acquiring a national Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the National Association of Young Children, Council for Professional Recognition.


CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (LEVEL 4) 10-12

This course examines the typical patterns of development of children birth to pre adolescence in relationship to historical and contemporary theories of development. Study includes Piaget, Vygotsky, Erickson, Maslow, Freud, Havingburst among others. Special topics include: brain development, heredity and environment influences, cognitive and language development, learning styles, multiple intelligences and emotional/ behavioral disorders of childhood. This course will assist in preparation for acquiring a National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the National Association of Education of Young Children, Council for
Professional Recognition.

UCONN INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY DEVELOPMENT (LEVEL 5) 11-12
(TEACHER PREPARATION) (COLLEGE CREDIT OFFERED – DOUBLE PERIOD CLASS)

Study the psychosocial development of individuals throughout the lifespan, while earning 3 credits from UConn. Topics discussed will include: brain research and its implications for learning, prenatal development and delivery, self esteem, discipline and child abuse, importance of creativity and play, factors related to school success, risky teen behaviors, marriage, divorce, mid-life crisis, retirement and death, as well as classroom management techniques. The program was established to encourage high school students to consider education as a profession. The class is a requirement at UConn for any student wishing to enter the fields of education, nursing, or family studies. This high school class is not for future teachers only. Students with a B average may apply for UConn credit. All students will develop an appreciation for the field of education and its impact on development through off site observations and participation in classrooms. Students will learn to develop lesson plans that they will implement at one of their sites. This course will assist in preparation for acquiring a national Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the National Association of Education of Young Children, Council for Professional Recognition.

PARENTING (LEVEL 3) 10-12

This course is offered to pregnant and parenting teens. The topics covered will include goal setting, child care skills, positive parenting techniques, and children’s behavior patterns. This course enables students to gain support from others in the same situation. This course may be taken over a two year period with a maximum of 5 credits per year.

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (LEVEL 3) 11-12

This course helps students understand themselves better through the study of topics such as personality formation, emotions, basic physical and psychological needs, and mental mechanisms. This knowledge is then applied to a variety of behaviors including male/female relationships, alcohol and drug abuse, mental disorders, pregnancy, peer leadership, sexually transmitted infections, and child abuse. This course fulfills the Health education requirement for graduation.


PEER LEADERSHIP (LEVEL 4) 12

Students interested in Peer Leadership must apply in the spring of their junior year. As seniors, those who have been selected, will participate in a training course in group dynamics and leadership techniques. Senior peer leaders will conduct weekly discussion groups with ninth and tenth grade students about social and academic pressures; relationships with peers, parents, and faculty; and problems associated with drugs, sexuality, and alcohol. This course fulfills the Health education requirement for graduation.

EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKSHOP (LEVEL 3) 11-12

The Early Childhood Workshop prepares students for employment, or serves as a preprofessional experience for the college bound student. Basic techniques of working with young children are acquired through classroom work and on the job training in Head Start programs day care programs, nursery school, and elementary school classrooms. This class meets two periods a day. This course will assist in preparation for acquiring a national Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the National Association of Education of Young Children, Council for Professional Recognition. PREREQUISITE: Child Development. Meets 10 periods a week.

BAKING AND PASTRY ARTS (LEVEL 3) 10-12

This course provides specific skills in using quantitative baking formulas. The student will develop skills in making a variety of bread dough, pastries and desserts. The students will also operate a bakery, gaining practical work experience. PREREQUISTE: Foods and Nutrition, CAT I or CAT II (at least one) or approval of instructor.

CULINARY ARTS TRAINING I (LEVEL 3) 10-11

This course is an introduction to culinary arts and provides the student with background and training in the basic skills needed to enter the food service career field. Through classroom instruction and laboratory experiences, the student will acquire knowledge and skills necessary for entry level employment in restaurants and other food service establishments.

CULINARY ARTS TRAINING II (LEVEL 4) 11-12

This course provides the student with specific skills in quantity food preparation. Students will operate a bakery, cater dinners, and run a faculty restaurant. By learning how to prepare and serve a wide variety of foods and meals, students will be prepared for jobs in the food service industry or for further education. This class meets two periods a day/10 periods a week. PREREQUISITE: Culinary Arts Training I or approval of instructor.


CULINARY ARTS ON THE JOB TRAINING (LEVEL 3) 11-12

Students enrolled in Culinary Arts Training II may elect to participate in an on the job training program. The instructor will place students in food service jobs in area restaurants, factory feeders, caterers, or institutions. These will be beginning jobs in food service with the goal of advancement to better positions. In order to receive credit, students must satisfactorily complete a
minimum of 240 hours on the job over a six month period. PREREQUISITE: Must be enrolled in Culinary Arts Training II; must be at least sixteen years of age.

INFANT/TODDLER PRACTICUM I (LEVEL 3) 11-12
INFANT/TODDLER PRACTICUM II (LEVEL 3) 11-12

Students who have completed Child Development, Child Psychology, or Birth Through Two may elect to participate in the Infant/Toddler program at DHS. Students will gain practical experience in working with infants and toddlers and develop competencies as daycare providers. Interested students must apply in the spring to gain entrance into the next fall semester program.
PREREQUISITE: Child Development, Child Psychology or Birth Through Two. This course will assist in preparation for acquiring a National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the National Association of Education of Young Children, Council for Professional Recognition.

NURSING ASSISTANT (LEVEL 3) 11-12

This program prepares students for entry into the Allied Health Field as Certified Nursing Assistants and provides them with the foundation for post secondary study in the Allied Health Field: college, hospital and/or certificate programs. The course of study explores career pathways, medical law and ethics, professional behaviors, client and personal safety, patient assessment and care, and body systems, including diseases and disorders. Students learn through classroom, laboratory and simulated home settings activities and gain clinical experience in the hospital and skilled nursing facilities. Students who successfully complete the program earn the right to sit for state certification. ACADEMICALLY SUCCESSFUL JUNIORS WHO ARE 16 YEARS OLD MAY BE CONSIDERED WITH APPROVAL OF THE INSTRUCTOR. Juniors completing this program successfully are eligible for admission into the Health & Bioscience Academy. This course may be used for 2.5 science credits and to fulfill health requirement. Meets 10 periods a week.