PSY 206: Child Growth and Development

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2025
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Total Student Learning Hours: 162
Strongly Recommended: ENGL C1000.
District General Education: D2. Behavioral Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This course examines the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identifies developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. Emphasis on interactions between biological processes and environmental factors. Students will observe children, evaluate individual differences, and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Summarize major theories of child development
  • Describe the impact of multiple factors on development and wellbeing, including those related to biology, environment, and social interactions.
  • Identify the typical progression of development across all domains.
  • Differentiate between characteristics of typical and atypical development.
  • Apply objective and ethical techniques and skills when observing, interviewing, describing and evaluating behavior in children.

Major Course Content

  1. Current and Historical Theoretical of Child Development and Learning
  2. Influences on Development 
    1. ​Biological factors
      1. Heredity and genetics
      2. Maturation
    2. Environmental influences
    3. Supporting optimal development in school and at home
    4. Context of development
      1. Cultural
      2. Socio-Economic
      3. Historical perspectives
      4. Societal
    5. Other influences including but not limited to
      1. Family and parenting styles
      2. Schools and teachers
      3. Community support and resources
      4. Socio-political climate
  3. Typical and Atypical Development in Infancy, Toddlerhood, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, and Adolescence in the Domains of:
    1. Conception and prenatal development and birth
      1. Influences of healthy development and birth
      2. Cultural variations
      3. Parenting a newborn
    2. Physical 
      1. Growth and health
      2. Brain development
      3. Fine and gross motor
      4. Gender and sexuality
    3. Cognitive
      1. Learning
      2. Memory
      3. Processing skills
      4. Moral development
      5. Learning disabilities
      6. Language
      7. First and dual language development
      8. Literacy development
    4. Socioemotional
      1. Temperament
      2. Attachment
      3. Relationships
        1. Peers and Friendships
        2. Families
      4. Self-Concept
      5. Self-Esteem
      6. Self-Regulation
      7. Impact of guidance and discipline
  4. Risk Factors Including but Not Limited to:
    1. Forms of abuse and neglect
    2. Trauma
    3. Housing and food insecurity
    4. Substance abuse and addictions
  5. Observing Children
    1. Methodology
    2. Objective and subjective reporting
    3. Ethical considerations

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Child and adolescent journals

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Example #1: Learners will provide written analysis, approximately three to five pages, about the unique aspects (both typical and/or atypical) of a child's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. Example #2: Learners will provide written analysis, approximately three pages, to describe attachment style relationships and provide analysis of the impact on children's development.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Example #1: Learners will interview a family to describe and analyze parenting styles, and share this information with the class for discussion and learning among the group. Example #2: Learners will observe the play of young children to analyze and describe the developmental benefits, and share this information with the class for class discussion and learning among the group.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

4I. Psychology