EDU107 – Child Development and Elementary Teaching: Syllabus and Study Guide

S1

Sep 5

Introduction and overview

Required Textbook Reading(s):

• Ch1 – Introduction: The Science of Child Development

Key Topics:

• Historical foundations of child development (Plato, Locke, Rousseau, etc.)

• Major theoretical perspectives (biological, psychodynamic, learning, cognitivedevelopmental,

contextual)

• Overview of major themes in child development

• Child development research methods: how we know what we know

S2

Sep 12

Genetic and Prenatal Development

Required Textbook Reading(s):

• Ch 2 – Genetic Bases of Child Development

• Ch 3 – Prenatal Development, Birth, and the Newborn (Sec. 3.2 & 3.4)

Key Topics:

• How heredity and environment interact to influence child development

• General risk factors, teratogens, and prenatal development

• Implications for inclusive and preventative practices in elementary classrooms

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S3

Sep 19

Physical Growth, Brain Development, and Health

Required Textbook Reading(s):

• Ch 4 – Growth and Health

• Ch 5 – Perceptual and Motor Development

Key Topics:

• Physical growth, brain development, puberty, sleep and nutrition

• Perceptual development: vision, hearing, sensory integration

• Motor skills: locomotion, fine motor skills, role of play and sport

S4

Sep 26

Theories of Cognitive Development

Required Textbook Reading(s):

• Ch 6 – Cognitive Development

Key Topics:

• Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development

• Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory: scaffolding, ZPD

• Information-processing and core-knowledge theories

S5

Oct 3

Cognitive Processes, Academic Skills, Intelligence and Individual Differences Required

Textbook Reading(s):

• Ch 7 – Cognitive Processes

• Ch 8 – Individual Differences

Key Topics:

• Memory development, problem-solving, metacognition

• Academic skills: reading, writing, math

• Intelligence and development

S6

Oct 10

MIDTERM ASSESSMENT

Oct 17 READING WEEK

S7

Oct 24

Language and Communication

Required Textbook Reading(s):

• Ch 9 – Language and Communication

Key Topics:

• Language milestones: babbling to grammar

• Vocabulary development, fast mapping, bilingualism

• Pragmatics: using language to communicate effectively

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S8

Oct 31

Emotional Development

Required Textbook Reading(s):

• Ch 10 – Emotional Development

Key Topics:

• Emergence of emotions: basic to complex

• Temperament and emotion regulation

• Attachment theory and its consequences

S9

Nov 7

Understanding Self and Others

Required Textbook Reading(s):

• Ch 11 – Understanding Self and Others

Key Topics:

• Development of self-concept and self-esteem

• Identity development, including ethnic-racial identity

• Perspective-taking and prejudice

S10

Nov 14

Moral Understanding and Behaviour

Required Textbook Reading(s):

• Ch 12 – Moral Understanding

Key Topics:

• Theories of moral development (Kohlberg, Gilligan, Turiel)

• Development of prosocial behaviour, empathy, and altruism

• Influences on moral behaviour: family, peers, culture

S11

Nov 21

Gender and Development

Required Textbook Reading(s):

• Ch 13 – Gender and Development

Key Topics:

• Distinction between sex and gender

• Gender identity, stereotypes, and socialization

• Implications for academic choices and classroom inclusivity

S12

Nov 28

Social Influences

Required Textbook Reading(s):

• Ch 14 – Social Influences

Key Topics:

• Parenting styles, family structures, and effects on development

• Peer relationships: friendship, popularity, rejection, bullying

• Societal influences: media, neighbourhood