Child Development

Course Coordinator: Dr Amy Cheung, BCogSc (HKU), MSc, PhD (Edinburgh U)

Course Developer: The Open University, UK, Course Team

Advisory prerequisite(s)
You are advised to have completed PSYC A212 (DSE212) / PSYC A212C (SS212C) before taking PSYC A209.

Aims
This is an introduction to the study of child psychology. The course aims to assist learners to: (a) master the main theoretical approaches to contemporary developmental psychology; (b) understand research conducted in the study of child development; (c) be able to discuss relevant issues and debates in the study of child development; and (d) apply theories and concepts in child psychology to educational and clinical settings

Contents
The course covers the following topics:

• The foundations of child development — This topic introduces the main concepts and approaches to child psychology with a special focus on the study of infancy. Contemporary discussions on developmental issues are also covered. Topics such as 'how we study children, 'babies' minds' and 'simple beginnings?' are all introduced and discussed.

• Personal, social and emotional development of children — This topic focuses on the social and emotional development throughout childhood and adolescence, particularly in the context of the family. Topics such as 'attachment, play and behavioural problems' are examined and discussed.

• Children's cognitive and language development — This topic approaches cognitive development by examining children's development in language, representation, intelligence, memory, reading, and mathematical and scientific thinking.

• Influencing development — This topic serves as an extension of theories and topics discussed in the first three topics. The issue of relevancy of those psychological concepts and theories is examined in two strands: (1) applied strand; and (2) clinical strand.

Learning support
There are 18 tutorials and three day schools.

Assessment
There are five assignments, constituting 50% of the course grade. A comprehensive final examination takes up the remaining 50%. Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Set book(s)
There are no set books for this course.