ECE 170 - Child Growth & Development

1. Review the importance of theories and research in understanding child development.
   1. Compare and contrast the major theories of development.
   2. Identify the characteristics of effective research.
   3. Use theories to help explain children’s behavior.
2. Describe prenatal development and the newborn period.
   1. Recognize chromosomal and genetic prenatal risks and the associated characteristics in children.
      1. Describe factors that influence development prior to birth and their consequences.
      2. Explain the consequences of problems at birth such as oxygen deprivation, cesarean birth, and low birth weight.
      3. Characterize some of the ways that heredity and environment interact to produce individual differences in development.
3. Identify developmental milestones from conception to adolescence and understand that growth, development and learning are progressive.
   1. Describe and analyze developmental sequences and patterns for cognitive, language, social, emotional, physical and motor development.
   2. Recognize a range of typical and atypical skills and behaviors in each developmental domain.
   3. Explain the influences of family, culture, language, ability and community on children’s development.
4. Explain experiences linked to children’s ages and individual strengths, interests and needs that support learning and development.
5. Review the effects of early care and education on children’s development as documented in current research.
   1. Analyze the influence of a variety of factors (e.g. physical activity, media and technology, play) as well as cultural, linguistic and ability diversity on children’s health and development.
   2. Describe the potential consequences of chronic poverty on children’s development.
   3. Identify research-based strategies for promoting brain development.
   4. Analyze factors that influence school readiness and achievement. 
6. Discuss evidenced-based strategies used to support families by identifying family structures, routines, preferences and unique positive aspects of each family.
   1. Recognize the emotional and psychological aspects of preparing for parenthood.
   2. Explain how attachment relationships develop, and strategies for supporting secure attachment.
   3. Describe basic caregiving styles and the impact of each on a child’s development.
   4. Explain how culture, language and ability diversity influence attachment, parenting practices, and children’s characteristics and behaviors.
   5. Identify how family structures are changing and the impact these changes have on children.
7. Describe how exceptionalities influence children and families.
   1. Identify various exceptionalities and their implications.
   2. Analyze issues related to having a child born with special needs.
   3. Investigate the benefits of early intervention for children considered at-risk and how to support families in obtaining these services.
8. Analyze development using observation and assessment techniques.
   1. Explain how assessment is used to determine the well-being of a newborn.
   2. Identify how the disappearance of infant reflexes is used to assess neurological development.
   3. Describe how observation and assessment can be used to identify possible typical and atypical development.
   4. Identify considerations for assessment of culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse children.