Child Development

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

An introduction to the study of behavior, growth, and development of young children for ages two through eight years, through a bio-ecological systems framework.  Content includes a review of major developmental theories; examining developmental domains; an introduction to developmentally appropriate practices (DAP); exploration of career opportunities with young children and families; and applications of child development research. 

This course will provide the theoretical foundations of infant-toddler development as students examine the current research relevant to the growth and development of very young children from a  multidisciplinary perspective.  Students will participate concurrently in a field experience in a program serving infants and toddlers. Three hours of lecture and two hours of practica each week.

This course examines how the structure and organization of indoor and outdoor environments influence the development and learning of children.  Emphasis is placed on creating, adapting and using developmentally supportive indoor and outdoor environments with children and families with attention to the organization of space, time, and materials.  Universal design for learning will be emphasized. Room arrangement, scheduling and space utilization will be addressed.

This course will examine theoretical foundations, materials, principles, and techniques of play to promote growth and development in young children. The primary role of play in all major domains of development will be analyzed. Strategies for applying research on playful learning, investigating the role of therapeutic interventions and relationships, and applying developmentally appropriate practices through play to a variety of early childhood settings will be explored.  This course will have a field placement 3 hours a week. 

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will participate in a research or creative project investigating topics and questions in Child Development. This course will provide an introduction to research methods in social science and child development. The research experience will culminate in a paper and presentation. A research proposal form completed by the student and faculty mentor is required for registration.

Children undergoing hospitalizations and medical treatment have unique developmental, emotional, social, and educational needs. Child life specialists are trained members of health care teams who focus on addressing the needs of these children and the needs of their families. This course will introduce students to topics that are central to child life profession, such as helping children and families cope with acute and chronic illness, preparing children for medical procedures, standards and ethics, and coping with grief and loss. It will also focus on how the use of therapeutic play can reduce the stress of hospitalization, and examine how illness can impact children's development. 

A functional course designed to help students achieve an understanding of various family structures and interpersonal dynamics. Students will examine theories of family structure, of family function, and of interpersonal and close relationships that can be applied to their personal and professional lives.

The history, philosophy, and practice of observing, documenting, and analyzing children's behavior within an ecological framework will be presented.  Specific observational techniques to assess adult-child and child-child interactions, assessment of play, and environmental assessment will be presented. Students will develop an assessment portfolio for individual children.

This course emphasizes strong adult-child relationships as a foundation for child development in all domains. Students will examine developmentally appropriate strategies to support and facilitate children’s play as the major context for development and learning and meet diverse individual needs through sensitive interactions.  Guidance strategies that support self-regulation, peer relationships, pro-social interactions, resilience, coping strategies, and problem-solving will be emphasized. Students will implement class content during a weekly three-hour placement. 

An in-depth examination of biological and environmental factors and their interactions as they impact the development of young children, and may interfere with typical growth and development.  The effects of various risk factors, including trauma, developmental delays or disabilities on patterns of development in the
physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional, and adaptive domains will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on low-incidence disabilities.  Students will be introduced to Individualized Family Service Plans & Individualized Education Programs, and will practice developing appropriate goals and objectives for young children. Students will participate concurrently in a field experience in an inclusive and/or self-contained early childhood setting.

A 30-hour co-requisite laboratory required for students taking CD-337 and CD-339.  Students are  placed at an off-campus early childhood program serving children ages three to five for three hours each week.  Placement assignments integrate course content and theory and  include child observations and positive interaction strategies to promote young children’s social and emotional development and learning. 

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

This child development course will explore scientific inquiry of social science research. Research methods and techniques, theory, research design, and methodology will be examined.  Students will be guided in searching, reading, interpreting, and evaluating research reports on child development and family related topics. Research ethics will be discussed, along with CITI training and the IRB process.  Students will create a literature review, and present findings using APA style. Spring every even year. 

This course will analyze the needs of families from a global perspective. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the family will be examined in various cultures, focusing on family structures, gender roles, socialization practices, health issues, and risk and resiliency factors. Major trends that affect families worldwide will be examined.

An overview of current research related to issues and processes surrounding death and bereavement when working with families and children in healthcare environments and community settings. Students will examine concepts from cultural, psychosocial, and theoretical perspectives, while investigating the impact of death, dying, and bereavement on family, child, and community.  Students will explore the states of grief, and apply them using family systems and developmental theory, with a focus on patient/family-centered-care. 

An overview of current information related to working with families of young children. Family and social systems theories and research provide a foundation for an ecological transactional view of families of diverse structural and sociocultural backgrounds. The emphasis of the course is on providing family-centered services that support and strengthen the family unit. Field experiences required. 

Supervised student teaching will provide an in-depth opportunity for students to plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction for young children. Student teaching is co-supervised by a cooperating classroom teacher and a member of the Child Development faculty. In addition to 300 contact hours spent in the classroom, students will meet weekly to discuss, analyze, and evaluate their field experiences. Students need to have four consecutive days when they can participate in the classroom on a full-time basis.

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will formulate and execute a research project at an advanced level of complexity that will culminate in a paper and a presentation. The project must meet Honors Program thesis requirements as well as the expectations of the child development faculty. A research proposal form completed by the student, faculty mentor, and Honors Program director is required for registration.

In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will develop and conduct a research project investigating topics and questions in Child Development. This course will provide an introduction to research methods in social science and child development. The research experience will culminate in a paper and presentation. A research proposal form completed by the student and faculty mentor is required for registration.