Course Description

Understanding Child Development course is for parents, educators, child-care givers and anyone interested in the development of children. It helps the student to understand the different stages of development from birth to adolescence - what to expect at each stage in the areas of physical, motor, cognitive and social and emotional development. The instructor, Marilyn is an Educational Consultant and Family Counselor. She has been lecturing at undergraduate and postgraduate university level for the past nine years. She teaches courses in human development, special education, human relations, and educational research, conflict resolution and mediation. As an educator, consultant and parent she has traveled around the globe doing workshops and so has become an expert in human development. This is a 5 week, self-paced, online course. If you need additional help understanding the material presented, you can communicate with the instructor and fellow classmates. The instructor will monitor and track your progress throughout the class. LVS Online offers many wonderful learning tools to help you get the most out of your online course, including an online portfolio service that manages all your course registrations, certificate of completion option, a class discussion board to interact with your instructor and fellow classmates, free hosting account, and a student upload area. LVS is a Corel Training Partner. LVS students may purchase Corel products at a significant savings. Follow this link for details. LVS students are eligible to receive software and hardware at a discount. Follow this link for details. Students are also eligible take advantage of special offers made available specifically for LVS by famous software developers such as Andromeda, AV Bros, Extensis, Harry Heim, namesuppressed, Nik Multimedia, and Ulead. Details are provided in the classinfo link found in the confirmation of registration. Show off your LVS Online spirit with an item from the LVS Store Visit the LVS Blog for updates. If you would like to receive more information regarding this course, click on the "Contact Us" link in the Information section and we'll try to answer any of your questions within the day.

Course Requirements

An interest in young people and a desire and motivation to understand their development Students must have a working knowledge of their operating system, especially: How to create and name new folders How to locate files How to open and save files Here are a few free tutorials available at LVS which may be helpful to you: PC Users: Free Windows Class Directory Structure Tutorial Mac Users: Basic Computer File Systems Tutorial (Mac) Homework must be reviewed by the instructor in order to earn a certificate. Students have the option of using either the Student Upload Area or free web hosting made available for LVS students. Details are provided in the classroom. If you prefer to use your own web space, you must know how to upload your files to a server. Free tutorials are available: Basic HTML Page WS_FTP All lessons are available in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view/print the lessons. Plan to devote 2 - 3 hours per week on the lesson and assignment.

Course Prerequisites

None

Course Syllabus

Lesson 1 Introduction - It is important to understand that development in children is a sequential process and that it should be measured by milestones and achievements and not necessarily by time. The basic principles of human growth and development are presented. Lesson 2 Physical and motor development - This lesson outlines the process of physical and motor development in the child and some activities to promote physical development. Lesson 3 Cognitive development - This lesson describes Piaget's Theory of intellectual development and looks at how parents and teachers can contribute to the intellectual development of children. Lesson 4 This lessons looks at the theories of Erik Erikson and Sigmund Freud and the process of social development. Lesson 5 Emotional development - Emotional development is harder to observe and measure. This lesson presents some requirements for emotional development and milestones. Lesson 6 Moving into adolescence - The transition from childhood to adolescence is an important phase of development. This lesson gives some information about this transition.

Course Excerpt

LESSON 1 Children's Behavior Children's behavior is so individual; they show their own personal responses to life. They relate to people in ways that express their original nature. Yet, the similarities of children in any group are striking. The more they are different, the more they are the same. There are differences, yet there are common characteristics within the age groups. There are enough standard behaviors common to a particular age group that allows for some generalizations about children s behavior. Three universal characteristics that unite children of the world are: (1) they all have the same needs, the most important of which are food, shelter and care; (2) they all go through the same developmental stages; and (3) they all have the same developmental goals, although the timing and the cultural designations may be different. Basic Principles of Human Growth and Development Development is a function of genes and environment. The child possesses a capacity for personalized growth and specific expressions of both unique and individual character. But the environment contributes to determine how these expressions will develop. Development is best assessed in terms of individual milestones and achievements, rather than through reference to chronological age. Time only offers us a quick easy reference. Development is a spontaneous process, facilitated rather than controlled by experience. As the child matures, she experiences herself through interactions with people, events and places. These experiences will facilitate the process of development. Development is facilitated through adequate physical and nutritional care and emotional support. Continued... Please note: Lessons provide step-by-step instructions with detailed screen captures.

Course Goals

At the end of 6 weeks, the students will be able to: describe the process of development of children from birth to adolescence. have a knowledge of what is considered normal development and be able to recognize delays or unusual advances in a child's growth. be familiar with the major theorists of child development, e.g Freud, Piaget, Erikson.

Course Reviews

New Class November 2008 More...