CDA 170 - Ages and Stages of Young Children: Prenatal through Toddler

2 Credits, 2 Contact Hours
2 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Examination of the developmental stages pre-birth to age three years. Includes general principles and theories of development, biological and environmental factors, conception to birth, infant developmental, toddler developmental milestones, issues in infant care, and toddler care issues.

Information: All CDA courses require college-level reading and writing.

Course Learning Outcomes

Identify and apply contributions of developmental theorists and their impact on the field of early childhood education (NAEYC 1a, 1b).
Discuss biological and environmental factors affecting prenatal through toddler growth and development (NAEYC 1b, 2a).
Explain various childbirth methods and trends in medical procedures (NAEYC 1a, 1b).
Identify, analyze, and discuss factors in social, emotional, physical, cognitive, language and brain development from pre-birth to age 3 (NAEYC 1a, 1b, 1c).
Identify the key issues in infant and toddler care and family involvement (NAEYC 1a, 1b, 1c, 2b, 2c).

Outline:

Early Childhood Developmental Theories/Theorists
1. Identification of theories and theorists
2. How theory aligns with developmentally appropriate practice
Biological and Environmental Factors
1. Nature vs. nurture
2. Genetics
3. Environmental effects on development
Conception to Birth
1. Conception
2. Childbirth methods
3. Medical trends
Infant/Toddler Developmental Milestones
1. Physical
2. Cognitive
3. Social
4. Emotional
Issues in Infant/Toddler Care
1. Attention, spoiling and discipline
2. Feeding and scheduling
3. Thumb sucking and comfort devices
4. Low birth weight
5. Failure to Thrive Syndrome
6. Children with special needs
7. Developmentally appropriate toys and equipment
8. Family needs/involvement