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Psyc 2324-001 Fall, 2010, Dr. Antonia Henderson
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PSYCHOLOGY 2324: Section 001
Spring 2010
Developmental Psychology: Early Childhood
Dr. Antonia Henderson
B252k
604-323-5874
ahenderson@langara.bc.ca
Mon & Tues 10:30 AM to Noon
Cook, G., & Cook, J.L. (2010). The world of children (2nd Ed.) Boston MA:
Allan & Bacon, Pearson.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome to the Developmental Psychology of Early Childhood. We will focus on the normal
development of childhood from the prenatal environment through infancy, the first years, and early
childhood, up to the age of six. Throughout these various developmental stages we will explore
physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development and learn how these various components interact
with one another in the process of development. Assigned readings from the text will serve as our base.
Lectures will be integrated with case studies, film, class discussion, interactive exercises, and online
exercises.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
My primary objective is to encourage students to explore the world of child development at both an
academic and practical level. At the academic level, students will study historical and contemporary
research to understand how scientific inquiry has provided the base of our knowledge about child
development. However, I am also interested in students taking this knowledge and applying it at a
practical level. How does this science relate to decisions one might make about raising one’s own child,
to real people facing real issues? To this end, students will be required to put theory and research to
practice in the raising of their own “Virtual Child”, and to be able to discuss their thoughts both orally
and in a written format. Students will be encouraged to think critically, to challenge their assumptions, and
the assumptions of the discipline and to formulate their own perspectives on child development. Students will
discover that there are no universal truths about one “correct” child-rearing method.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
 Demonstrate their understanding of the physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development of
children from the prenatal environment through to six years of age
 Apply this knowledge at a practical level in the raising of their own “Virtual Child”
 Bring thoughtful and thought provoking practical and intellectual issues to class discussions
Psyc 2324-001 Fall, 2010, Dr. Antonia Henderson
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Become more proficient writers – expressing ideas convincingly, knowledgeably, and
compellingly.
Synthesize information presented in both lecture and the text, and become proficient in the
dying art of note taking!
2
Psyc 2324-001 Fall, 2010, Dr. Antonia Henderson
EVALUATION
PERCENTAGE
DUE DATE
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ASSIGNMENT
3
Midterm 1
Midterm 2
Participation & Parent Forums
Virtual Child Assignment 1
Virtual Child Assignment 2
Virtual Child Assignment 3
Final
15%
20%
10%
10%
10%
10%
25%
Jan 27th
Mar 10th
Continuing
Mar 3rd
Mar 24th
Apr 7th
TBA
Lecture/Text Integration
•
There will be considerable overlap between lecture and text. However, there will be material
discussed in lecture that is not in your text, and material covered in your text that is not
covered in lecture. ALL of this material is fair game on exams.
Note Taking
•
•
Exams
•
•
•
•
In the age of electronics, the art of effective note-taking seems to be coming to a demise.
However, taking notes in class is an essential component of studying, absorbing, and
integrating material.
The provided slide outlines alone will not be sufficient for study purposes. The slides are
intended as an OUTLINE only; they will not replace coming to class. If you miss a class, you will
need to check in with a classmate. I do not provide copies of my lecture notes.
Exams will be made up of multiple choice and short answer questions
You are responsible for knowing and understanding ALL the material from:
• Assigned chapter readings
• Lectures
• Class Exercises & Discussions
• Films
ANYTHING that happens in this class is fair game on the exam. Be prepared!
Exams will focus on students’ understanding of concepts and the ability to transfer this
knowledge into varied contexts.
Participation
•
•
•
Students are expected to come to class on time, having done the assigned reading for that week,
and prepared to actively participate.
If you have other priorities for that day (Facebook, emailing or texting friends, watching
movies, sleeping etc.), please DO NOT do them in this class.
Student participation (including Parent Forums) will be worth 10% of your grade
Parent Forums
•
•
Students will take part in four seminars throughout the semester discussing issues related to
the raising of their Virtual Child
The purpose of the forums is for students to:
o
Experience the variation in personality and intellectual skills found in a typical
Psyc 2324-001 Fall, 2010, Dr. Antonia Henderson
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sample of children
Explore various effects of different parenting styles and experiences on the child
Gain exposure to some more rarely occurring problems such as dyslexia, ADHD,
depression and externalizing behavior problems.
In order to ensure students come prepared, you will be required to bring a one-page typed summary
of issues relevant to your virtual child – issues that you will bring to the discussion table in the parent
forum (Bring one copy for your reference, and one copy for me handed in at the beginning of class.
NO EXCEPTIONS. Forum Notes will be worth 2% each, and constitute a proportion of your
participation grade. Notes are not accepted late under any circumstances. There will be no “makeup
forums”.
To make group discussions manageable, students will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. On
Forum days (Jan 25th, Mar 8th, Mar 29th, and Apr 12th - see schedule) students from group “Early”
will come to class from 8:30 to 9:20; students from group “Later” will come to class from 9:30 to
10:20.
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o
o
•
•
Virtual Child Assignments
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•
•
•
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Students will run the Virtual Child program available through the Pearson Publishing website
After filling out some initial questionnaires concerning your own demographics, personality, and
cognitive abilities, you will be “assigned” a virtual child who will arrive with his or her own set of
abilities, and challenges.
Students will be required to run the program outside of class time, and hand in three written reports
throughout the semester based on a set of reflective questions provided ahead of time.
We will also use your experiences with your Virtual Child as the basis of four “Parent Forums”
conducted throughout the semester.
Students will integrate diverse aspects of development (physical, social and cognitive), within a
given age range, and see how these domains of development were related
LETTER GRADES
The following percentage grades will ensure the corresponding letter grade.
96 – 100
90 – 95
85 – 89
80 – 84
75 – 79
70 – 74
A+
A
A–
B+
B
B–
65 – 69
60 – 64
55 – 59
50 – 54
Below 50
COURSE POLICIES
C+
C
C–
D
F
There is a separate handout on course policies, discussing issues such as appropriate behaviour in
class, use of electronics, missed exams, etc. It is important that you familiarize yourself with these
policies.
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PSYC 2324 –001: WEEKLY COURSE TOPICS & ASSIGNED READINGS
5
WEEK
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
WEEK 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
WEEK 8
Week 9
Week 10
WEEK 11
Week 12
WEEK 13
DATE
Jan 4
Jan 6
Jan 11
Jan 13
Jan 18
Jan 20
JAN 25
TOPIC
READINGS
Infants & Toddlers: Physical
Infants & Toddlers: Physical
Infants & Toddlers: Cognitive
Infants & Toddlers: Cognitive
CHAPTERS 1, 2, & 3
& Syllabus
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
JAN 27
Introduction to Course
Exploring Child Development
Heredity & Environment
Heredity & Environment
Prenatal Development & Birth
Prenatal Development & Birth
PARENT FORUM 1
Group “Early”: 8:30-9:20; Group “Later” 9:30-10:20
MIDTERM 1
Feb12-28th
OLYMPIC BREAK: CLASSES SUSPENDED
Feb 1
Feb 3
Feb 8
Feb 10
Mar 1
Mar 3
MAR 3
MAR 8
MAR 10
Mar 15
Mar 17
Mar 22
Mar 24
MAR 24
MAR 29
Mar 31
Apr 5
Apr 7
APR 7
APR 12
Apr 14
TBA
Infants & Toddlers: Socioemotional
Infants & Toddlers: Socioemotional
VIRTUAL CHILD ASSIGNMENT 1: DUE
PARENT FORUM 2
Group “Early”: 8:30-9:20; Group “Later” 9:30-10:20
MIDTERM 2
Early Childhood (EC): Physical
EC: Physical
EC: Cognitive
EC: Cognitive
VIRTUAL CHILD ASSIGNMENT 2: DUE
PARENT FORUM 3
Group “Early”: 8:30-9:20; Group “Later” 9:30-10:20
EC: Socioemotional Development
EASTER MONDAY: COLLEGE CLOSED
EC: Socioemotional
VIRTUAL CHILD ASSIGNMENT 3: DUE
PARENT FORUM 4
Group “Early”: 8:30-9:20; Group “Later” 9:30-10:20
Consolidation, Conclusions, & Catch-up
FINAL EXAM
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
CHAPTERS 4, 5, & 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
ALL