Education 3443

Child Development

Syllabus and Course Calendar

I.          INSTRUCTOR

Robin M. Irving, Ed.D.
101a Gary Hall, 574-1230
EMail: facirvingrm@usao.edu

II.         COURSE DESCRIPTION

EDUC 3443 Child Development is designed for the study of children from conception through adolescence including physical, cognitive, social development, and emotional health.  Observation and participation in the USAO Child Development Center are required.  The course will include a scientific study of how young children grow and develop from conception through adolescence.  The course is designed into five parts as follows:

1.                   Birth and Early Infancy

2.                   Infancy and Toddlerhood

3.                   Early Childhood (The Preschool Years)

4.                   Middle Childhood Years

5.                   Adolescence

 

III.        RATIONALE

Child development provides the foundation for the Early Childhood program theme:  (1) young child in “total” context, (2) A balanced curriculum.  The child development course enables students to identify developmental stages and needs of young children as a result of study and laboratory experiences.  When students understand child development principles this provides a basis for a “hands-on” approach to the implementation of a balanced curriculum for the “whole” child that supports the general growth of positive school achievement.  The study of child development brings an awareness that much of children’s achievement and “readiness” is a function of their learning and instructional experiences as well as their educational program and environment. 

 

IV.        COURSE OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to have a comprehensive vision of the young child in “total” context.  A vision of how children grow and develop encompassing teaching practice that responds to learning patterns of children within a given age range, to individual differences among children, and to culture and linguistic diversity among children.  Students should be able to respond to the comprehensive needs of children for health and safety, nutrition, care, social and emotional support, language and cognitive development.

 

V.         TEXT

 

TEXT:

Cobb, Nancy (2001).  The child, infants, children, and adolescents, California: Mayfield Publishing Company.

 

An additional bibliography is provided for library use and resource materials are available within the USAO Child Development Center.  A study guide is provided for each chapter.

 

VI.        PROCEDURES

The child development course is designed to meet Monday and Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Gary Hall.  Students are required to observe, participate, and assist with activities in the laboratory setting for two hours per week.  Class meetings will be used for lecture, discussion, viewing videos and slides.

 

VII.       CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM COMPETENCIES

 

This course contributes specifically to the Early Childhood Program competencies:

1.              To identify developmental stages and needs of young children as a result of study and laboratory experiences.

 

2.              To develop an awareness that much of children’s achievement and “readiness” is a function of their learning and instructional experiences as well as their educational program and environment.

 

The course prepares Early Childhood professionals who:

1.                   Use knowledge of how children develop and learn to provide opportunities that support the physical, social, emotional, language, cognitive, and aesthetic development of all young children from birth through age eight.

 

2.                   Apply knowledge of cultural and linguistic diversity and the significance of socio-cultural and political contexts for development and learning, and recognize that children are best understood in the contexts of family, culture, and society.

 

3.                   Establish and maintain physically and psychologically safe and healthy learning environments for children.

 

4.                   Implement basic health, nutrition, and safety management practices for young children, including procedures regarding childhood illness and communicable diseases.

 

5.                   Use appropriate health appraisal procedures and recommend referral to appropriate community health and social services when necessary.

 

6.                   Recognize signs of emotional distress, child abuse, and neglect in young children and know responsibility and procedures for reporting known or suspected abuse or neglect to appropriate authorities.

 

7.                   Demonstrate sensitivity to differences in family structures and social and cultural background.

 

8.                   Serve as advocates on behalf of young children and their families.

 

9.                   Observe and participate under supervision of qualified professionals in a variety of settings in which young children are served.

 

10.               Demonstrate ability to work effectively during practical experiences with different age groups. 

 

Knowledge for the following competencies are addressed in class, tested on exams and applied in the laboratory experiences.  The course specifically contributes to the following professional education:  Oklahoma general competencies:

1.                   The teacher understands the central concepts and methods of inquiry of the subject matter discipline(s) he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.

 

2.                   The teacher understands how students learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social and physical development at all grade levels including early childhood, elementary, middle level, and secondary.

 

3.                   The teacher understands that students vary in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adaptable to individual differences of learners.

4.                   The teacher develops a knowledge of and uses a variety of effective communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

5.                   The teacher plans instruction based upon curriculum goals, knowledge of the teaching/learning process, subject matter, students’ abilities and differences, and the community; and adapts instruction based upon assessment and reflection.

6.                   The teacher understands and uses a variety of assessment strategies to evaluate and modify the teaching/learning process ensuring the continuous     intellectual, social and physical development of the learner.

7.                   The teacher evaluates the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community), modifies those actions when needed, and actively seeks opportunities for continued professional growth.

8.                   The teacher understands the process of continuous lifelong learning, the concept of making learning enjoyable, and the need for a willingness to change when the change leads to greater student learning and development.

9.                   The teacher understands the legal aspects of teaching including the rights of students and parents/families, as well as the legal rights and responsibilities of the teacher.

 

The course specifically contributes to the following basic guidelines for the elementary education programs:

3.0               Programs should include study and experiences, throughout the professional studies sequence, that link child development to elementary school curriculum and instruction.

3.2               Programs should include opportunities to understand the integration of physical, social, emotional and cognitive development from prenatal through adolescence stages.

4.1               Opportunities to organize and manage varied learning groups in each of the disciplines as appropriate to the needs and/or interests of students and the goals of the lesson.

6.3               Study and application of current research findings about students of different ages.

7.3               Clinical/field experiences in the use of a variety of assessment and evaluation methods.

7.5               Clinical/field experiences with students of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds and with exceptionalities.

 

VIII.      COURSE OBJECTIVES

A.                  Discuss and demonstrate knowledge of the “whole” developing child – physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development. 

B.                  Complete sociogram from the names given in class.

C.                  Observe, participate, and assist with activities in the USAO Child Development Center.

 

IX.        COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A.                  Each student will make a passing grade on three objective exams.

B.                  Each student will make a passing grade on the final exam.

C.                  Each student will attend class.

D.                  Each student will complete a sociogram.

E.                  Each student will observe, assist and participate in the USAO Child Development Center for two hours each week for a total of a minimum of 28 hours.  The “hour” consists of 50 minutes.  In order to meet this requirement, the student must arrive on the hour of the days and times appointed.  If 28 hours have been completed before the end of the trimester, the student must continue to attend. 

 

X.         EVALUATION CRITERIA

A.                  3 Exams - 600 points (200 each exam)

B.                  Final Exam - 100 points

C.                  Class Attendance and Discussion - 50 points

D.                  Sociogram - 50 points

E.                  Scheduled Lab Times - 200 points

F.                  Grades will be assigned on the basis of earned accumulated points by the end of the trimester.

900 - 1000 = A

899 -  800 = B

799 -  700 = C

699 -  600 = D

below  600 = F

 

XI.        POLICY STATEMENTS

A.                  Students are not allowed to bring young children to the USAO Child Development Center unless the child is currently enrolled.

B.                  Orientation for university students will be August 26.

C.                  First day of school for the center children will be on August 28, 2002.

D.                  If a student misses an exam time, the student must make arrangements within 2 weeks to make up the exam.  Makeups will be more difficult!

E.                  Students are to inform the instructor no later than the first week of class of any disabilities or exceptionalities that may interfere with his/her ability to successfully complete any of the course requirements.  The instructor will work with these individuals to ensure that they have an equal opportunity to complete the course requirements. 

 

XII.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Anastasi, A. (1958).  Heredity, environment, and the question "how?” Psychological Review, 65, 197-208.

 

Anderson, L. T. (1983).  Autism.  American Journal of Psychiatry.

 

Battle, J., Jarratt, L., Smit, S., and Precht, D.  (1988).  Relations among self-esteem, depression and anxiety of  children.  Psychological Reports, 62, 999-1005.

 

Bayley, N.  (1969).  Bayley scales of infant development.    New York:  Psychological Corporation.

 

Bergman, A. B., and Wiesner, L. A. (1976).  Relationship of passive smoking to sudden infant death syndrome.  Pediatrics, 58, (5), 665-668.

 

Burns, B., and Lipsitt, L. (1991).  Behavioral factors in crib death:  Toward an understanding of the sudden infant death syndrome.  Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 12, 159-184.

 

Caron, A. J., and MacLean, D. J. (1988).  Infant discrimination of naturalistic emotion expressions:  the role of face and voice.  Child Development, 59, 604-616.

 

Down Syndrome.  (1980).  Washington, D. C.:  National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

 

Fackelmann, K. A.  (1992).  Type A:  From the nursery to the boardroom.  Science News, 140, 183.

 

Gesell, A.  (1974).  Infant and child in the culture of Today:  The guidance of development in home and nursery school.  New York:  Harper & Row.

 

Gilligan, C.  (1982).  In a different voice.  Cambridge, Mass.:  Harvard University Press.

 

Ginott, H.  (1965).  Between parent and child.  New York:  Macmillan.

 

Gordon, T.  (1975).  P.E.T.:  Parent effectiveness training:  The tested new way to raise responsible children.  New York:  New American Library.

 

Greenberg, M., and Crnic, K.  (1988).  Longitudinal predictors of developmental status and social interaction in premature and full-term infants at age two.  Child Development, 59, 554-570.

 

Horne, J.  (1992).  Annotation:  Sleep and its disorders in children.  Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 3,  473-487.

 

Keefe, M.  (1988).  The impact of rooming-in on maternal sleep at night.  Journal of Obstetric, Gynecological and Neonatal Nursing, 17, 122-126.

 

Kohlberg, L.  (1969).  Stage and sequence:  The cognitive developmental approach to socialization.  In D. A. Goslin (Ed.), Handbook of socialization theory and research.  Chicago:  Rand-McNally.

 

Lamaze, F.  (1981).  Painless childbirth.  New York:  Simon & Schuster.

 

Palca, J.  (1992).  Infection with selection:  HIV in human infants.  Science, February, 28.

 

Piaget, J., and Inhelder, B.  (1973).  Memory and intelligence.  New York:  Basic Books. 

 

Scarr, S., and Weinberg, R.  (1983).  Intellectual abilities within families of both adopted and biological children.   Child Development,54, 424-435. 

 

Shore, R.  (1997).  Rethinking the brain:  New insights into early development.  New York, New York:  Families and Work Institute.

 

Sostek, A., and Anders, T.  (1977).  Relationships among the Brazelton Neonatal Scale, Bayley Infant Scales and early temperament.  Child Development, 48, 320-323.

 

Steveson, M., and Black, k.  (1988).  Paternal absence and sex-role development:  A meta-analysis.  Child Development, 59, 793-814.

 

White, B.  (1975).  The first three years of life.  Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey:  Prentice-Hall.