8.
Describe the milestones of early childhood
Psy3310.521-Child Development
Summer 2007
Green Hall 4.428 Tuesday Lecture
6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Instructor Contact Information
Mikal Galperin, M.S.
Green 4.402 972-883-4846
mikal@utdallas.edu
Teaching Assistant
Kristin Kuhlman Atchison
Green 4.811 972-883-3649
_____________________________
Prerequisites: None
Course Description:
This is course is an introduction to child
development and provides students an historical
perspective, insight into scientific principals, and an
understanding of the biological and prenatal factors
contributing to child development. Additional topics
will focus on the physical, cognitive, social, and
emotional aspects of child development from the
prenatal period through adolescence. Scholars’ and
psychologists’ concepts and research regarding
typical and atypical development, family and peer
contributions, child attributes, and societal factors
are presented.
Student Leaning Objectives:
After completing the course, students should be able
to:
1. Describe historic and current perspectives on
child development.
2. Describe the major child development theories
3. Describe physiological influences on
development and the role of heredity and
environment in child development.
4. Describe the core developmental issues related to
infant development.
5. Describe and analyze the impact of Piaget on
early child development, and know the stages
and milestones of his theory.
6. Explain the basic tenets of language
development and the impact of language
acquisition on children’s development
7. Describe the influences of infant temperament on
mother and child relationship, and the process of
mother and child attachment.
development, theories, and early childhood
education.
9. Describe key developmental issues related to
middle childhood such as moral development,
peer relationships, gender development
10. Analyze child disorders, ADD, ADHD, learning
disabilities, Autism, and their influences on
families relationships, and child development.
11. Explain the cognitive, physical, and
socioemotional developmental changes from
childhood to adolescence and the changing role
of peers and families in children’s lives.
12. Apply psychological concepts, theories, and
research findings to issues in everyday life.
13. Use critical thinking to evaluate popular media
and scholarly literature.
Required Textbook and Materials:
Santrock, J.W. Children, 9th edtion.
2005.
Exams and Assignments:
Exams: We will have two non-cumulative
exams (mid-term, and final) based on lectures and
reading, which will include multiple choice, and short
essay questions. Optional extra credit: 3-page paper
on any aspect of child development discussed in
lecture or readings. This paper may be submitted
after mid-term. (A maximum of 10 pts. can be added
to the mid-term exam grade).
Exam answer forms: Provided
Paper: Blue Book for test essays
Attendance: Make-up exams given with
excused absences and advance notice.
(appropriate documentation necessary). Make-
up exams will be a different format and more
comprehensive. They will be scheduled during
office hours of instructor or TA.
DON’T MISS AN EXAM
Grading policy
Grading is based on a set of a priori criteria: 90%
correct for A, 80% correct for B, 70% correct for C,
60% correct for D, and 50% and below is F. Grade
criteria may be altered to reflect class performance.
Overall class grade will be based on two exams and
the optional extra credit. Questions related to specific
exam items should be asked during exam, and valid
concerns will be considered during the grading
process.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor

Date Topic Reading

5/15 Class Introduction/Historic Perspectives Chapters 1,2

5/22 Prenatal Development/Birth Chapters 3,4,5

5/29 Early Infancy Chapters 6,7

6/5 Emotional Development/ Attachment Chapters 7,8

6/12 Early Childhood/Review for Exam Chapters 9,10

6/19 Mid-Term Exam

6/26 Middle Childhood Chapters 11, 12

7/3 Middle Childhood Chapters 11, 12

7/10 Adolescence (extra credit papers due) Chapters, 15, 16

7/17 Adolescence Chapter 17

7/24 Exam Review

7/31 Final Exam