CHLD 110: Early Childhood Development

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
District General Education: D2. Behavioral Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

This introductory course examines the major physical, cognitive, and psychosocial developmental milestones for children from conception through early childhood. There will be an emphasis on interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors. While studying development, students will observe children, evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Describe major developmental milestones for children from conception through early childhood in the areas of physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and language development.
  • Analyze and identify cultural and environmental contexts that affect children’s development.
  • Identify and analyze major theoretical frameworks related to the study and understanding of child development.
  • Apply developmental research and theory to child observations, surveys, and/or interviews.
  • Differentiate characteristics of typical and atypical development.

Major Course Content

  1. Child Development is a Field of Study
    1. Research methodology used in studying child development
    2. Theories and their applications to child development
    3. Strategies for observing children
    4. Developmentally appropriate practice at different ages/stages of child development
    5. Stages of parenthood during early childhood 
  2. Preparation for Parenthood
    1. Heredity/Genetics/Reproduction  
    2. Preparing siblings 
  3. Prenatal development
    1. Stages of prenatal development
    2. Factors that influence healthy prenatal development
  4. Birth and the Neonate
    1. The birth process
    2. Neonate health assessments 
    3. Neonates in need of assistance
    4. Experiences with being a new parent
  5. Infancy & Toddlerhood: One to Three Years
    1. Psychosocial development
    2. Physical development
    3. Cognitive development
    4. Observation of infant/toddler 
    5. Observation of two-three year old
    6. Developmentally appropriate child care for infants & toddlers
  6. Early Childhood: Three to Six years
    1. Psychosocial development
    2. Physical development
    3. Cognitive development
    4. Observation of a four to six year old
    5. Issues of child maltreatment
    6. Developmentally appropriate early childhood education
  7. Careers with Young Children
    1. Careers in child care and early childhood education 
    2. Title 22 teachers
    3. Child development permits
    4. The need for quality child care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers 

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

The reading for this course is journal articles and online articles such as "Young Children."

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Through direct observation of a 10-18 month old child (and their parent), students will identify and provide examples of relevant physical (i.e. abilities and motor skills), intellectual (i.e. goal-directed behaviors and object permanence) and psychosocial (i.e. stranger anxiety, "trust," and temperament) aspects of development.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Student will provide examples of learning links from classroom topics to the real world of children/families. This could include applying critical analysis of topics such as the experience of being a new parent, stages of parenting, parenting styles, cultural diversity in child rearing and family patterns, issues and effects of stress on families, the importance of play in nurturing physical, intellectual and/or psychosocial development during early childhood.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture