PSYC 240 Child Development is an introduction to normal child development; this course explores selected aspects of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and moral development of children from birth to middle childhood; and examines the major theories of child development.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100 or PSYC 101 with a minimum of 60%
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 45 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 3 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Explain and differentiate between major theories of development
- Identify and describe major research designs used in child development through the lens of the scientific method
- Understand the validity of recent research in child development
- Compare and contrast different parental styles and theorized outcomes
- Apply child development theory and research to their personal life experience and knowledge base
- Apply critical thinking skills to assess the scientific value of information
- Exhibit academic foundational skills and knowledge required to advance to higher level psychology and university transfer courses
Teaching and Learning Approach
For the On-Campus class:
The on-campus version of this course will be delivered at Selkirk College, Castlegar and uses Achieve (online
textbook).
This course introduces concepts and skills in developmental psychology through in-person lectures. They seek
to balance teaching approaches that are:
Student-centred (focusing on the learners and learning abilities, to create opportunities that promote
student success)
Experiential (respecting and building on knowledge and values from the students' lives and communities),
and
Designed to equip students for further university studies and careers related to child development.
The Instructor sets up and facilitates learning opportunities by introducing topics, starting discussions, providing
illustrations, encouraging student comments, seeking student perspectives, and by asking and answering
questions.
Students enrich the class and their own learning by having read scheduled texts before classes, and by asking
questions and offering examples based on their reading and personal experiences. Students are encouraged to
be open-minded and consider values of cultures different than their own. Students are expected to take notes
during class, and to study their notes and texts to prepare for scheduled tests. Students can estimate up to six
hours of study outside of class each week.
Academic article assignments familiarize students with tools to search for and understand published research on
child development, a key skill for further university studies and ongoing professional engagement with knowledge
in the field. Online textbook assignments provide opportunities to reinforce the learning of concepts and critical
thinking introduced in the readings and lectures.
NOTE: Given the current COVID 19 situation, if the Provincial Health Officer requires that the campus be closed
for any period of the semester this course will switch to an online/ hybrid format.Learning Resources
Required:
Belsky, J (2022) Experiencing the Lifespan, 6th edition. New York: Worth Publishers
Belsky, J (2022) Achieve. New York: Worth Publishers (online study guide)Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Chapter 1
2. Finish Chapter 1 Chapter 2: Prenatal Development and Birth
3. Finish Chapter 2
4. Chapter 3: Physical and Cognitive Development in Infant and Toddlers
5. Finish Chapter 3: Physical and Cognitive Development in Infant and Toddlers Begin Chapter 4
6. Chapter 4: Emotional and Social Development in Infants and Toddlers.
7. Review
8. Midterm (Chapters 1-4): Friday, March 6
9. Chapter 5: Early Childhood
10. Finish Chapter 5 Chapter 6, Middle Childhood
11. Finish Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Settings for Development: Home, School, Community.
12. Finish Chapter 7 Review
13. Review
14. All chapters - Final ExamsAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
|---|
| Midterm: Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 [date and time Schedule] 55 multiple-choice questions; 2 short minutes NOTE: There are no supplemental/make-up Final, Chapters 5, 6, 7 plus cumulative from previous | set in Course essays; 80 1,2,3,4,6,7 tests. | 25% |
| chapters [date and time set in Course Schedule] multiple-choice questions, 120 minutes, NOTE: | 100 1,2,3,4,6,7 There are no | 30% |
| supplemental/make-up tests. assignments. [Deadlines Ongoing Throughout Textbook/Online Assignments [Deadlines Ongoing Throughout Semester] The Achieve (Launchpad) | Semester]3 5, 6,7 textbook | 30% |
| online resources are an invaluable aid to learning material AND preparing for the multiple-choice tests. For each of the three units we are covering, | the course 1,2,3,4,7 portions of the you will be | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.