Early Child Development

Catalog description

This course focuses on applying knowledge of the characteristics and needs of young children, prenatal to age twelve, for the creation of healthy, respectful, supportive, challenging and effective learning environments. Multiple and interrelated influences on the domains of child development and learning of young children will be examined. In addition, the course includes diverse contexts for development such as culture, ecological contexts such as home and community, genetic and environmental influences, child's health status, individual development variations, and opportunities to play, learn, and access technology. The course also covers historical and contemporary theories, significant developmental research, and research-based strategies for observation, documentation and assessment of young children. It describes sequences, stages and milestones of growth as well as variations of typical and atypical developmental characteristics, recognizing the central role of relationships in promoting learning and development for young children.