The student will be able to:

1. Examine the discipline of childhood and its importance through examination of the historical and cultural foundations
2. Evaluate and analyze the major theories and research in the field of child development and recognize the implications on current practice in the early childhood field
3. Apply developmental theory to child observations, surveys, and/or interviews using investigative research methodologies
4. Describe the process of prenatal development, pregnancy, and birth
5. Identify and describe major developmental milestones for children typical and atypical, from conception through early childhood in the areas of physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and language development
6. Analyze and reflect on one's own behavior, personality, and values through the study of young children

1. Examine the discipline of childhood and its importance through examination of the historical and cultural foundations
   1. Focus on historical concepts related to the development of children
   2. Compare and contrast the changing view of childhood in society and how that view impacts practice and policy
   3. Non-Western cultures and alternative perspectives
   4. The characteristics of a child's culture and the implications for learning and development
   5. Nature vs. nurture, and continuity vs. non-continuity
   6. Biological and environmental factors that influence young children's development
   7. Heredity and genetics
2. Evaluate and analyze the major theories and research in the field of child development and recognize the implications on current practice in the early childhood field
   1. Recognize the major theorists whose work has contributed to our understanding to children today
   2. Compare and contrast the prevailing theories on child development and how they inform current theory and practice
      1. Recognize the social-political context of pre-existing theory and analyze its relevance to children today
      2. Recognize the impacts of family dynamics, culture, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on the developing child
3. Apply developmental theory to child observations, surveys, and/or interviews using investigative research methodologies
   1. Develop skills in naturalistic observation, interviews, and surveys when working with young children
   2. Analyze data and recognize relevancy to development and behavior
   3. Discuss questions of ethics, bias, confidentiality, reliability, and validity of research
4. Describe the process of prenatal development, pregnancy, and birth
   1. Conception and prenatal development
   2. The uterine environment
   3. Maternal health
   4. Birth and the newborn
   5. Social and cultural influences
5. Identify and describe major developmental milestones for children typical and atypical, from conception through early childhood in the areas of physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and language development
   1. Recognize the basic aspects of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language growth for the neonate and understand the interplay between these domains at this stage
   2. Recognize the basic aspects of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language growth for the infant and understand the interplay between these domains at this stage
   3. Recognize the basic aspects of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language growth for the toddler and understand the interplay between these domains at this stage
   4. Recognize the basic aspects of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language growth for the preschool-age child and understand the interplay between these domains at this stage
   5. Identify risk factors, care, and education for different developmental levels
   6. Gender roles; childhood sexuality
6. Analyze and reflect on one's own behavior, personality, and values through the study of young children
   1. Analyze how cultural, economic, political, and historical contexts affect children's development
   2. Recognize the impacts and influences to one's own development
   3. Consider the influence of one's own development when working with young children
   4. Recognize the role of the caregiver when working with young children

Not applicable.

Participation in class activities, class discussion, small group and partner work
In-class writing with guided self-reflections
Child observation reports and summaries
Adult interviews and summaries
Reaction papers on special topics
Exams
Online discussions and responses

Lecture
Cooperative learning exercises
Oral presentations
Electronic discussions/chat
In-class discussion
Video viewing
Online reading and response

Berger, Kathleen Stassen. The Developing Person: Childhood Through Adolescence, 11th ed.. 2018.

Paris, Ricardo, Raymond, and Johnson. Child Growth and Development. 2021.

Santrock, John. Children, 13th ed.. 2015.

1. Reading and study of the text
2. Reading and written response to observations, test questions, assignments, relevant articles, online reading material, and online discussions
3. Reaction writing assignments to guest speakers, video viewings, and experiences, such as research projects and field trips
4. Research, planning, and written evaluation of individual or group creative projects