Child and Adolescent Development

Course Description

This course explores the range of issues related to human development from birth through age 18. The focus of the course is on defining the various stages as they impact instructional practice and decisions in a P-12 environment. Emotional, intellectual, physiological, social, and cultural factors are discussed. Peer and family influences, along with issues related to media themes and gender bias, are examined.

Topics and Objectives

History and Research on the Study of Human Development

• Describe the history and study of human development and the issues that have guided study in the field.
• Identify the leading life span theorists and their theories.
• Evaluate the application of educational theory to classroom observations.

Stages of Physical Development

• Examine the stages of physical development in infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.

Stages of Cognitive, Intellectual, and Language Development

• Evaluate teacher behaviors that promote students' thinking abilities.
• Examine the stages of cognitive development in infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.
• Compare and contrast varying theories of cognitive development.
• Examine the theory of information processing as it applies to attention and memory.
• Describe the application of information processing to student learning.
• Analyze definitions of intelligence.
• Examine the application and impact of intelligence testing on learning.
• Describe the components and theories of language development.
• Explain the stages of language development.

Stages of Social and Emotional Development

• Examine the stages of social and emotional development in infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.
• Describe the relationship of social and emotional development to student learning and behavior.
• Describe the development of self-awareness in infants and toddlers.
• Analyze changes in self-esteem from early childhood through adolescence.
• Describe morality as it relates to societal norms and social understanding.
• Examine the development of moral reasoning and self control in early and middle childhood and in adolescence.

Gender Roles and Stereotyping

• Explain the development and adoption of gender roles.
• Describe various influences on gender stereotyping.
• Analyze changes in gender identity from early childhood through adolescence.

Family Influences on Child and Adolescent Development

• Examine the functions that modern families play in society.
• Describe the influence of various child-rearing styles on development in early and middle childhood and in adolescence.
• Analyze how family structures influence behavior and functioning in children and adolescents.

Peer and Media Influences on Child and Adolescent Development

• Describe the importance of peer relations on development.
• Analyze the impact of the media on student learning.