Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the career field of child development, and child development theory. Theory will be applied to understand how children develop, beginning with the prenatal stage and continuing through the toddler stage of development. Special emphasis is placed on the following: pregnancy, birth defects, infant care, guiding behavior, and child safety. This course is recommended for students interested in pursuing a career related to working with children; the course is a prerequisite for Child Development 2.
Core Curriculum Content Standards
Family and Consumer Sciences (2002)
Child Development
Grade 9
- Analyze physical, intellectual and social/emotional development in relation to theories of child development.(11.4.9.A)
- Evaluate health and safety hazards relating to children at each stage of child development.(11.4.9.B)
- Evaluate various environments to determine if they provide the characteristics of a proper learning environment.(11.4.9.C)
- Analyze the roles, responsibilities and opportunity for family involvement in schools.(11.4.9.D)
Grade 12
- Analyze current research on existing theories in child development and its impact on parenting (e.g., Piaget, Erikson and prior findings versus new brain development research).(11.4.12.A)
- Analyze practices that optimize child development (e.g., stimulation, safe environment, nurturing caregivers, reading to children).(11.4.12.C)
Units
Unit #1 - Introduction to Child Development
Unit #2 - Influences on Development
Unit #3 - Pregnancy and Prenatal Development
Unit #4 - Infant Development
Unit #5 - Toddler Development
Unit #6 - Health and Safety
Course Resources
"The Developing Child" 9th ed., by Holly E. Brisbane, copyright 2004
"Working with Young Children" 6th ed., by Judy Herr, copyright 2008
