The course will employ a number of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives and will include some of the following:
- lectures
- seminar presentations
- audio visual materials including video, 16 mm film, etc.
- small group discussions
- research projects
- practical conditioning demonstrations
1. Introduction to Child Development
Historical accounts
Controversies
Major developmental theories
Methods of research employed in child development
2. Biological Beginnings
Heredity
Environment
3. Stages of Development
Prenatal
Birth and infancy
Early childhood/preschool years
Middle childhood/school years
4. Aspects of Physical Development
Nutritional needs and eating behaviour
Height and weight
Gross and fine motor skills
Sleep
Exercise
5. Aspects of Cognitive Development
Piagets Theory of Development
Information processing
Individual differences
Language development
Intelligence
Vygotsky’s Theory
6. Aspects of Socio/Emotional Development
Families
Play
Gender
Moral development
Peer relations
Self-understanding, self-concept
At the conclusion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of research methods associated with child development.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of heredity and environment on the developing child.
3. Demonstrate an awareness of the factors associated with physical development, prenatally through to puberty.
4. Demonstrate an awareness of the processes of cognitive development throughout childhood.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of the socio-emotional changes experienced by the infant through to puberty.
6. Discuss how child developmental research can be applied to real life situations.
7. Discuss contemporary issues in child development such as, child abuse, attention-deficit disorder, special needs, role of television
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will include some of the following: quizzes, multiple choice exams, essay type exams, term paper of research project, class participation, seminar discussion, oral presentation, etc. The specific evaluation criteria will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.
An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:
4 quizzes 40%
Mid term exam 15%
Term paper 15%
Oral presentation 5%
Seminar attendance and participation 5%
Final exam 20%
100%
A recently published textbook, such as:
Dworetzky, J.P. Introduction to Child Development, 5th edition.
New York: West Publishing, 1995.
Santrock, John W. Children 4th edition. Madison, Wisconsin:
Brown & Benchmark, 1995
Textbooks will be updated periodically.