"Sunny day, sweepin' the clouds away, on my way to where the air is sweet. Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?" We all remember this classic opening line to the theme song of the very popular children's show Sesame Street. We could also probably sing the words to the theme songs of today's hit shows such as Dora the Explorer and Blue Clue's. That's because children's entertainment is a well-known, multi-billion dollar business around the world. What better way to be part of it than to study Child development courses?
Centennial College offers child development courses as a three-semester Ontario College Graduate Certificate undertaking.
Once a student has met the prerequisites set out by Centennial College, he or she will embark on a program that was designed by some of the most respected contemporary producers, writers and directors in Canadian children's entertainment. These professionals include: Laura Phillips, writer/ producer of "Jake and The Kid" and writer of Jim Henson's "Labyrinth", "Fraggle Rock" and "The Christmas Toy"; Pat Ellingson, Creative head of TVOntario; Adina Pitt, the VP of Acquisitions for Nickelodeon; Lynn Oldershaw who works in Developmental Psychology in the CBC Children's Department and many others. These experts have created the Children's Entertainment: Writing, Production and Management program to cover a wide range of entertainment products — film, TV, books, education products, games and interactive media — for the growing children's market. Courses cover topics such as writing for children's entertainment, team building, project management, TV production, marketing integrated media for children's entertainment and more. Through these courses, you'll be able to hone in your storytelling abilities, business skills and production management, giving you a well-rounded education. The program is project driven and you'll complement your in-class training with an industry field placement. This placement throws you right into the world of Children's Entertainment: Writing, Production and Management, so that you graduate with employable skills and experience.
Upon graduation, students are prepared for careers in the children's media industry as: children's writers, marketing specialists, project managers, content manager, children's TV producers and children's multi-platform producer. They become child entertainers. As you can see, this industry offers a wide range of career options. During the course of the program, you'll have discovered your talents and abilities and will be prepared to decide which career direction is the one for you.
