Applied Developmental Neuroscience

Catalog description

This course is an examination of physical growth and development beginning with prenatal development and extending through eight years of age. Areas of study will include the physical, neurological, motor, and sensory processes of maturation. Specifically, students will explore in depth the paths of typical development in these areas, and in addition will gain an entry level of understanding atypical patterns and events that lead to developmental disabilities and delays. General health, growth, nutrition, and wellness will be discussed as well the socio-cultural and socio-economic influences on these issues. Students will gain an appreciation for the importance of health status and individual sensory profiles in children’s learning as well as the interrelationship of nutrition and physical movement in maintaining health and developmental progress. Strategies for observing neurobehavioral functioning in infants and children will be explored.