This course is designed to provide an introduction to the fundamentals of children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, from the prenatal period through adolescence. We will use a scientific framework to guide our understanding of how factors within the child, family, and broader society shape the process of how children develop. Special attention will be paid on several key issues in details that children face in the contemporary society. Students will apply developmental theories and constructs through observation of two or three children, as well as demonstrate their in-depth understanding and analyses to important issues that have implications for the home, school, and community.

CILO-1: Demonstrate the ability to think critically and analytically, and to reason logically about issues in child development. CILO-2: Explain the theories in child development practically and be able to illustrate how they can be applied to daily life situations. CILO-3: Describe and critique key theoretical perspectives on child development. CILO-4: Describe, compare and contrast key changes in the physical, cognitive, and emotional characteristics across childhood. CILO-5: Explain how child development relates to your own experiences with your childhood.