Course Catalog

PSY240E Child Psychology (3 credits) 9421

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Review the major theories of child development along with basic biblical principles about humanity in general and children in particular. Through personal investigation and observation, students will learn to identify typical needs, interests and abilities of children, including those with special needs.

LEARNING RESULTS
You will be able to:
1. Explain and discuss the major developmental theories and identify which theorists are associated with the theories;
2. Understand the child's physical, cognitive and psychosocial development during infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence
3. Understand and critique David Elkind's All Grown Up and No Place to Go;
4. Recognize and comment on his/her observations of three children in regard to the major developmental stages;
5. Apply information learned from the
texts to his/her own life story; and
6. Demonstrate understanding as to the importance of child and adolescent development to a variety of social science fields.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
Seifert and Hoffnung, Child and Adolescent Development, 5th Ed., 2000. Houghton-Mifflin Co.
David Walsh, Why Do They Act That Way?, 2004. Baker & Taylor.

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INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
This course integrates with Christianity on many levels. Primarily, I view the study of Child Development as one way that God demonstrates His creativity and care in the intricate ways He has chosen to form us from a reproductive standpoint, a growth and development standpoint, and from a cognitive and psychosocial standpoint.

Furthermore, I believe that studying aspects of God's creation, particularly His human creation, is an important means to understanding God. Because He has created humans in His image, we have much to learn about God through learning about the one aspect of His creation He clearly states that He created in His image: people.

I also believe that an informed understanding of physical, emotional and psychosocial development of children and adolescents may lead to better parenting, teaching, and interacting with children. Improvements in parenting, teaching, and interacting with children may then, in turn, lead to more healthy children who are free to become productive members of society, and who may relate in healthier ways toward God. It is my hope that these children, who will grow up to be parents, teachers, and have other roles in children's lives, will be better equipped to produce positive fruit in the lives of children.

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
To determine if the course learning results have been attained, students document their learning by submitting the following items:

Assignment #1 Text reading requirement
Assignment #2 Text reading requirement
Assignment #3 Interaction with Elkind text
Assignment #4 Interview with 3 children
Assignment #5 Autobiographical paper

LEARNING EVALUATION
Assignment #1
Exam #1 100 points
Assignment #2
Exam #2 100 points
Assignment #3 115 points
Assignment #4 215 points
Assignment #5 270 points
Total 800 points