EDFI 504 Human Development

This course is designed to offer graduate students an overview of childhood, young adolescent and adolescent development in the major developmental domains. Students will address developmental theories in the context of current research and how to provide opportunities and learning situations that support cognitive, physical, social, emotional, aesthetic and language development of children (birth through age 18). These major developmental domains of children ages 3 to 18 years old will be studied within both social and cultural contexts. Emphasis will be placed on the impact that diversity, family and community have on the domains of development, which calls for awareness of the importance of teamwork and collaboration as a fundamental professional teaching standard. The course prepares teachers for developmentally appropriate practice that supports the learning of each individual, typical and atypical, at every stage of development through childhood (birth through age 18). Graduate students will be able to identify neurobiological, medical and environmental risk factors that may impact a child's development pre-, peri-, postnatally and throughout childhood, as well as describe the characteristics, ideology and prevalence of specific exceptionalities. Teachers are encouraged to become reflective practitioners who understand the relationship between human brain function and all aspects of human behavior and development and who can design and implement developmentally appropriate, innovative teaching strategies in diverse learning environments.

Credits

3