This course will consider child development, in particular the K-8 school-aged population, from the biological/physical, cognitive, emotional, and social perspectives and their interrelatedness in children from birth to early adolescence.  Major theories of development and factors that enhance growth and development will be compared and evaluated, with special emphasis on implications for educational practice.  The interconnected worlds that children inhabit in school, at home and in the broader community will be examined.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this program,

1. Research developmental milestones and their inter-relatedness based on theories of development
2. Integrate instructional decisions based on the theories of development, theorists, and characteristics of children a various age levels.
3. Analyze the advantages of using the development instructional approach stages at various age levels
4. Compare and contrasts developmental theories for each developmental stage to meeting instructional goals

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week.

Week 1: Unit 1 – The Changing Teaching Profession

Week 2: Unit 2 – The Learning Process: Major Theories of Development (Part 1)

Week 3: Unit 3 – The Learning Process: Major Theories of Models of Learning (Part 2)

Week 4: Unit 4 –  Stages of Development: Infancy and Early Childhood

Week 5: Unit 5 – Stages of Child Development: Part 2

Week 6: Unit 6 – Personality and Social Development (Part I)

Week 7: Unit 7 – Personality and Social Development (Part 2)

Week 8: Unit 8 – Reflection on Practice

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.  The Learning Guides for all units open on the first day of class.  Please review all Learning Guides to access the readings, review assignments, etc.

Unit 1: The Changing Teaching Profession

• Introduce yourself in the Course Forum
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete the Reflective Portfolio Assignment

Unit 2: The Learning Process: Major Theories of Development (Part 1)

• Peer assess the Unit 1 Written Assignment
• Read Learning Guide and Reading Assignment
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete the Written Assignment
• Begin working on the Domain Chart
• Complete and submit the Portfolio Activity

Unit 3: The Learning Process: Major Theories of Models of Learning (Part 2)

• Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignments
• Read Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Begin Group Activity
• Complete and submit Written Assignment
• Continue working on Domain Chart
• Complete and submit the Reflective Portfolio Activity

Unit 4:  Stages of Development: Infancy and Early Childhood

• Read through the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Continue working on Group Activity
• Continue working on the Domain Chart
• Complete and submit the Reflective Portfolio Activity

Unit 5:  Stages of Child Development: Part 2

• Peer-assess Unit 4 Assignment.
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment       
• Continue working on the Domain Chart
• Continue working on the Group/Team Assignment

Unit 6:  Personality and Social Development (Part I)

• Peer-assess Unit 5 Assignment.
• Read through Learning Guide and the Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete and submit Group Activity
• Complete the Reflective Portfolio Activity

Unit 7: Personality and Social Development (Part 2)

• Peer-assess Unit 6 Assignment.
• Read through the Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete and submit the Reflective Portfolio Activity

Unit 8: Reflection on Practice

• Peer-assess Unit 7 Assignment.
• Read through the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Portfolio Assignment