Child Development 1: This course focuses on the development of children from conception through the first year.  Students will explore areas and characteristics of development, preparation for parenthood, human reproduction, pregnancy and birth, and the baby’s first year.  Students may participate in a caregiving simulation with the RealCare Baby for multiple nights.  This course is a prerequisite for Child Development 2, Early Childhood Education and highly recommended for Educational Careers.  This course is helpful for individuals interested in Psychology, Sociology, and working with children.

Child Development 2: Child Development 2 will focus on how to provide the care and guidance that can lead to a child’s health development.  The semester course will include topics of growth and development of children ages 1-6, learning activities, the safety of children, learning through play, child development theorists, eating healthy to grow and thrive, and characteristics of the physical , social, emotional, and intellectual development of toddlers and preschoolers.  Not only is this course excellent for any student who hopes to be a parent, but also a “must” for students who plan on careers working with children.  Students will teach a self-created lesson to the class.  Students must take Child Development 1 before taking this course.  This course is a prerequisite for Early Childhood Education and highly recommended for Educational Careers.  This course is helpful for individuals interested in Psychology, Sociology, and working with children. 

Importance of Child Development

• What can we learn by observing children?

• Areas of Development

• Characteristics of Development

• Importance of play and reading with children

• Study of individuals who developed concepts about the way we guide children

Preparation for Parenthood

• Understanding Families

• Stages in adult life cycle

• What parenthood means

• Guiding behavior

• Consequences as learning opportunities

• Diana Baumrind's Parenting Styles Analysis

Pregnancy and Childbirth 

• Conception through the birth process

• Anatomy, ovulation, menstruation

• Contraception, STIs, including HIV

• Prenatal Development

• Prenatal Care

• Responsibilities for the expecting parent

• Infertility and options

• A baby is born—labor and delivery, childbirth choices

• Birth defects

• Preparing for Baby

• Postnatal Period

The Baby’s First Year 

• physical growth, social, emotional, and intellectual development

RealCare Baby Simulation

• What is it?

• How to use the Real Care Baby

• Practice with the RealCare Baby

• Webquest for the RealCare Baby App

The Child From One to Three

• Growth through the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual areas

• Encouraging Learning from 1-3

The Child From Four to Six

• Physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth

• Preparing for school

Creating a safe and healthy environment

• Health and safety of children: illness, accidents, and emergencies

• Planning nutritious meals and snacks

• Guidance and discipline methods–behavior and positive reinforcement

• Methods to encourage independence and responsibility

Learning Activities for Children

• Importance of motor skills and constructive play activities

• Selecting toys, equipment, and educational materials

• How do children learn–brain function, memory, fingerplays, types of play

Theories

• How theories explain children’s growth and development

• Leaders who have influenced early childhood education

Introduction to early childhood education programs and working with children

• Planning developmentally appropriate lessons and engaging activities for preschool age children

• Special needs/gifted

• Making accommodations and differentiating lessons to challenge upper-level learners

• Careers working with children

• Present lessons in class (traditionally known as Fun Friday or Wonderful Wednesday)