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 develop a deep understanding of how children develop and apply this knowledge not only in classroom assignments, but more importantly in their work as early childhood educators.

We will study child development by observing children, examining the research, and   considering various theoretical perspectives 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, multimedia, child observations, and personal experiences. In addition, participants will develop a better understanding of research methods and refine their observational skills.

In this course, students will conduct observations of children at different stages of development and then analyze and interpret their observations by applying what they are learning in this course. Students will also do in-depth research into a topic in child development that interests them and teach others what they have discovered.