Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
ECED 2305
Descriptive
Growth and Development: Birth through Early School Years
Department
Early Childhood Education
Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
30
Contact Hours
Weekly Distribution:
- Lecture/Seminar: 3 hours/week
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Online
Learning Activities
Lecture
Class Discussion
Audio-visual Aids
In-class Exercises
Course Description
This course explores theories related to the development of infants and toddlers (ages birth to three years) and school aged children (ages five to twelve years) in the context of a family centred approach. This approach emphasizes individual and cultural diversity while considering the “whole child” in group settings.
Course Content
Global Ideas that Guide the Design and Delivery of the Course
- There are observable behaviours and predicable patterns typical of early school development.
- A range of factors contribute to individual differences found in children aged five to twelve including the timing of growth and development, personality and other biological factors, interests, skills, and experiences.
- School aged behaviour is often socially mediated.
- Socially constructed learning can provide school aged children with valuable opportunities to explore concepts and enter into meaningful dialogue while listening and/or sharing their point of view.
- Individual programming for children requiring extra support is philosophically based on the principle that learning often leads development.
- Children in the primary grades benefit from play based learning environments which provide the opportunity to develop or modify theories about the world, integrate emerging skills and actively engage with materials and other children.
- Through observation, individual learning styles can be identified. This information must be incorporated into program planning to maximize each child’s potential within the learning environment.
- The child is best understood in the context of his or her family and the unique culture present within each family.
- A classroom culture will also develop which gives children particular messages (either implicit or explicit) about acceptance and diversity.
- Child development theory must be examined critically within the context of the research methods used to derive the information.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the observable behaviours that are typically found in children aged birth to age twelve.
- Understand that within typical and observable patterns of behaviour each child is unique in his or her own timing of growth and development, personality, traits, interests, abilities and experiences.
- Understand how individual differences, including special needs, relate to the development of the school aged child.
- Explore differences in learning styles and how those styles relate to classroom practice.
- Examine inclusive practice in programs for children aged birth to three and five to twelve.
- Examine the reciprocal relationship between the child’s growth and development and the family and culture in which he or she is reared.
- Discuss issues of gender, multicultural and anti bias curriculum in relation to programs for children aged birth to age twelve.
- Emphasize the connection between research, theory, and practice and the role of observation.
- Critically analyze relevant child development theory.
- Explore language and literacy development in school aged children.
Means of Assessment
The course evaluation is consistent with Ƶ evaluation policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a graded course.
Test(s)
Project(s)
Research Paper/Presentation
Textbook Materials
T.B.A.