STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1. Identify and critique evidence-based research as it relates to child development.

 2. Identify the biological and environmental factors associated with prenatal development, including heredity, environment and risk factors.

 3. Discover general knowledge about development in physical, cognitive, language , emotional and social domains from birth-12 years.

 4. Analyze the interrelatedness and interaction of between child developmental domains and the including biological, environmental, and sociocultural factors.

 5. Compare and analyze current and historical theories of development and their implications for working with children, including, but not limited to: Freud, Erikson, Piaget, Maslow, Bronfenbrenner, Vygotsky, Watson, Skinner, Bruner, and Gardener.

 6. Identify atypical development and individual special needs and describe early intervention services.

 7. Practice focused observation skills by developing a case study.

 8. Use a variety of ways to gather and utilize in-depth information in all domains of development, including strengths and interests, to plan supportive environments.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I. Research

 a. Scientific Method

 b. Correlation and Causation

 c. Ethics

 d. Current Trends

 e. Social and Cultural Issues

 II. Theories

 a. Compare and Analyze Theories

 i. Psychoanalytic

 ii. Behaviorist

 iii. Cognitive

 iv. Sociocultural

 v. Epigenetic

 vi. Other

 b. Discuss Implications for Child Development

 III. Prenatal Development and Birth

 a. Heredity and Biological Factors

 b. Environmental and Risk Factors

 IV. Developmental Domains and Milestones

 a. Infant Development

 i. Identify major infant milestones in physical, social, emotional, cognitive & language domains

 ii. Determine environmental, adult, and peer influences in optimum development

 iii. Identify gross warning signs of atypical development

 b. Toddler Development

 i. Identify major toddler milestones in physical, social, emotional, cognitive & language domains

 ii. Determine environmental, adult, and peer influences in optimum development

 iii. Identify gross warning signs of atypical development

 c. Preschool Age Development

 i. Identify major preschool milestones in physical, social, emotional, cognitive & language domains

 ii. Determine environmental, adult, and peer influences in optimum development

 iii. Identify gross warning signs of atypical development

 d. School-Age Development

 i. Identify major school-age milestones in physical, social, emotional, cognitive & language domains

 ii. Determine environmental, adult, and peer influences in optimum development

 iii. Identify gross warning signs of atypical development

 V. Practice Focused Observation Skill Using a Variety of Methods

 a. Identify various observation methods

 i. Formal vs. Informal

 ii. Qualitative vs. Quantitative

 iii. Specific Formats appropriate for gathering information on children’s development

 b. Utilize observation to develop a case study