This course is designed to provide current and aspiring early childhood and early childhood special educators with an opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of children’s typical and atypical development across all domains from conception through middle childhood. The course will assist educators to acquire an understanding of children by critically integrating their empirical, theoretical, and experiential knowledge about children into an in-depth study.

We will study child development from a historical perspective and examine the theories that have formed our interpretations of how and why children develop in both similar and unique ways. We will explore the cultural and familial contexts in which children develop, and the factors that impact their development through readings, discussions (actual and virtual), observations, and personal experiences. In addition, participants will develop a better understanding of research methods and refine their observational skills.

In this course, participants will complete a Child Study, a piece of original research, in which participants compile, analyze, and interpret observations they have conducted of a target child throughout the semester. Through this culminating experience, participants will apply the knowledge they have learned.

This course is fully online, with some synchronous virtual meetings. Click View Schedule above for dates and times.