The best way to develop an understanding of young children is through a combination of reading about them, observing their involvement with materials and other persons, and actively interacting with them. Students must work in an early childhood setting or volunteer at least 24 hours in a group setting for children age two to six years. The course consists of eight units of readings with related observation assignments and one exam.
Topics covered include:
- studying children through observation,
- children's emotional, social, and physical development,
- how children think,
- language development,
- creativity, and
- the whole child and the learning environment.
This course has print-based exams that require a proctor. A Proctor Agreement Form will be required. ProctorU is not available for this course.
Textbook and Materials
Textbooks and materials can be purchased at the CSU Bookstore unless otherwise indicated.
Required
- HDFS 276 Course Syllabus
McCornack - Observing Development of the Young Child, 7th Ed. (2007)
J. Beaty
Instructors
Barbara McCornack
barbaram4@juno.com
Barbara McCornack is an emeritus assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University. Her current research interest is the application of child development principles to early elementary teaching.