List all life experience that may count toward your degree in child development. Include such activities as teaching children in school, daycare, or church settings, academic or formal training in child development and any hobbies or personal activities relating to child development. Identify the specific aspects of child development you learned by participating in each activity.
Research schools offering child development degrees or partial degrees based on life experience. Search onlineeducationfacts.com for lists of accredited colleges that specifically award life experience degrees in child development.
Evaluate the requirements at your chosen school. Match your length of time and types of experience with the school's requirements, usually listed online. Based on the school guidelines, build a professional-looking, thorough display of the work you've completed in child development. Include certificates earned in classes, letters of recommendation or testimonials from other teachers, school administrators, supervisors or parents, and any other evidence of the work you've done.
Meet with an advisor at the school to discuss any additional coursework that may be needed. Complete additional child development coursework or training required to fill in the gaps of your experience, if necessary.
Apply for a life experience degree. Submit a transcript of your additional child development coursework and your portfolio of life experience. The school will evaluate your materials against their guidelines and, once the requirements are met, award the life experience degree in child development.