Free Early Childhood Education (ECE) Training With Certificate

Free ECE training courses with certificates are beneficial whether you are new to early childhood education or a seasoned professional. Some perks of earning a certificate are:

• boosting your resume
• skill development
• networking opportunities
• personal growth

Online courses can help you decide whether to pursue a bachelor's in early childhood education. They can also help refine your career goals and give you an advantage over your peers in job searches.

Free Online Early Childhood Education Courses With Certificates

Early learning certificates can boost your credibility and advance your career. Learners enrolled in an early childhood education program should expect to learn about:

• child development
• disabilities
• family engagement
• health and safety, such as first aid

Verify that courses are accredited before enrollment. Here are some great options for online early childhood education courses with certificates. While these courses are free, the certifications are not.

1. The State University of New York (SUNY) � Introduction to Early Childhood

The State University of New York partners with Coursera to provide the Introduction to Early Childhood course. This course teaches the significance of family-educator relationships and enrolls students in the Home-Based Childcare specialization.

A certificate you can attach to your resume or LinkedIn profile is available for purchase. Students should expect to take modules such as:

• Foundations for Early Childhood
• Family Engagement
• Observation and Assessment of Children
• Guiding Children's Behavior

2. Queensland University of Technology � Teaching Phonics in Early Childhood

Queensland University of Technology offers a course through Future Learn called Teaching Phonics in Early Childhood. Consider this course to learn about phonics and how to teach it to children.

The CPD certification service accredits this program, and a certificate is available for $89. Topics covered here include:

• code-related literacy
• why phonics is important in early childhood settings
• evidence-based strategies for teaching phonics
• children's literacy development

3. Utrecht University � Understanding Child Development

Another great Coursera course is Understanding Child Development: From Synapse to Society from Utrecht University. This program encourages students to study children's emotional development and mental health from various perspectives.

Financial aid is available to help pay for this credential. Modules here include:

• Introduction to Dynamics of Youth
• Brain and Motor Development
• Cognitive Development
• Social-Emotional Development

4. University at Buffalo � ADHD: Everyday Strategies for Elementary Students

The University at Buffalo provides the ADHD: Everyday Strategies for Elementary Students on Coursera. Enrollees learn about promoting well-being and teaching children with special needs, especially ADHD.

You should be able to develop suitable behavioral interventions for children with ADHD after completing this course. Some of the modules here consist of:

• What Is ADHD?
• Methods of Assessment for Screening
• School-Based Treatment Approaches and the Daily Report Card
• Parenting Strategies

5. Peking University � Healthcare and Promotion for Infants and Toddlers

Peking University's Healthcare and Promotion for Infants and Toddlers course gives an overview of medical issues in children and how to approach them. This program highlights international views on family child care and evidence-based thinking.

Students can better prevent illnesses in children by studying this course. Modules in this program comprise of:

• Infant Healthcare
• Early Childhood Development
• Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases in Childhood
• Management of Common Health Problems in Childhood

6. University College London � Global Education for Teachers

The University College London and Future Learn offer the Global Education for Teachers course for aspiring educators. You will learn about implementing global issues into your curriculum to help students become diverse learners.

Once you finish the course, a digital certificate is available for $89. Topics here include:

• introduction to ideas related to global education
• what global education means for teachers
• practical ideas for lesson planning
• approaches to teaching and pedagogy

7. The State University of New York � Childcare as a Business

The State University of New York offers a Childcare as a Business course on Coursera. Like the Introduction to Early Childhood course, this program is in the Home-Based Childcare specialization.

Aspiring early childhood professionals should take this course to learn about in-home childcare settings as a business. Modules here include:

• Introduction to a Home-Based Childcare Program
• Introduction: Family Handbook Project
• Rate Setting and Invoice Processing
• Project Assessment: Family Policy Handbook, Including a Business Plan

8. Harvard University � Introduction to Family Engagement in Education

Harvard University and edX provide the Introduction to Family Engagement in Education course through the HarvardX online learning platform. This self-paced program teaches about the significance of family and community engagement in early childhood development.

Enrollment is free, and a digital certificate is available for purchase. Students should expect to learn about topics such as:

• what family engagement is and why it matters
• educational outcomes based on research
• integral elements for proficient practice as an educator
• the relationship between family and educators

9. University of Pittsburgh � Disability Awareness and Support

The University of Pittsburgh and Coursera offer the Disability Awareness and Support course for prospective teachers. Participants learn about promoting equal opportunity for disabled students in their classrooms.

A shareable certificate is available upon course completion. Notable modules include:

• Introduction to Disability Awareness and Support
• Accommodations and Assistive Technology
• Accessible Design
• Application

10. University of Colorado � School Health for Children and Adolescents Specialization

The University of Colorado provides the School Health for Children and Adolescents Specialization course on Coursera. This flexible program includes an optional career certificate for purchase.

Students will learn about the strong connection between children's health and learning. Modules here consist of:

• Managing Asthma, Allergies, Diabetes, and Seizures in School
• Managing ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Concussion in School
• Providing Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Special Education Services in School
• Healthy Practices: Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Community and Family Participation

How To Get Childcare Training Online for Free

Aspiring childcare providers can get free online training through various platforms. Some of these include:

• Online courses: Educational learning platforms such as Coursera, edX, and Future Learn provide free childcare training courses.
• YouTube videos: Useful information can be learned from videos like those on the Playful Learning channel.
• State resources: Check with your state's health or education website for resources.
• Nonprofit organizations: Groups like Head Start or the YMCA have online childcare training resources to look into.

Consider exploring one of these options to help with your professional development as a prospective childcare professional. Although these tools are free, you can still learn valuable information about brain development, early education, and working in childcare centers.

What Will I Learn in a Free Online Course for Early Childhood Education?

Free online early childhood education courses teach students the nuances of working with children with various needs. Early childhood education professionals must have essential skills such as:

• knowledge of child growth
• ability to identify whether child abuse is happening
• understand how to navigate challenges with disabled children
• be able to implement diverse learning environments

Online courses address these topics and more, offering a comprehensive learning experience. Working individuals benefit from these courses because they can study flexibly.