Pellissippi State Community College
Summer 2011
ECED 2020; Th 6:15--9:15; MA 124
Instructor: Catherine T. Shafer, PhD
ctshafer@pstcc.edu        catherinejts@yahoo.com
Additionally you can send me a message through my contact me page.
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Textbook:
Infants and Children: Prenatal through Middle Childhood (7th Ed.), Laura Berk, Pearson
Education, Inc.
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Course description:
An overview of the physical, cognitive, and social/emotional aspects of young children as
they develop.
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NAEYC Standards:
Standard 1: Promoting child development and learning
1a. Know and understand children’s characteristics and needs;
1b. Know and understand multiple influences on development and learning.
Standard 3: Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to support young children and families.
3b. Know about and use observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and
approaches.
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IDEA Standards:
Objective 1: Gaining factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends);
Objective 2: Learning fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories;
Objective 11: Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view.    
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COURSE SCHEDULE:

Thursday, June 2                                




Thursday, June 9                                



Thursday, June 16                              

Thursday, June 23                              



Thursday, June 30




Thursday, July 7



Thursday, July 14




Thursday, July 21




Thursday, July 28
                          
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Policies:

Attendance Policy
:
PSCC expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities. At a minimum, students in all courses
must be present for at least 75% of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit
for the course. I take attendance every day.

Academic Dishonesty:
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. A student guilty of academic
misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, is immediately responsible to the
instructor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed through the
regular PSCC procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an
F for the exercise, examination, or course.

Accommodations for disabilities:         
Students who need accommodations because of a disability, have emergency medical information to share,
or need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated should inform the instructor
immediately, privately after class or in her/his office. Students must present a current accommodation plan
from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations
in this course. SSWD may be contacted by going to Goins 134 or 126 or by phone: 694-6751 (Voice/TTY)
or 539-7153. More information is available at

                                   www.pstcc.edu/departments/swd/

Extended College Closure:        
In case of an extended college closure (one week or more), please contact me by email (see above), I will also attempt to contact you. I expect you to be in
touch with me while the college is closed. The classes that I can conduct online will be covered in the days that the college is closed. Student presentations will
be resumed when we return to campus. If it appears that we will not return to campus before the semester ends, I will contact you with further instructions.

Late Assignments:
Don’t do this. It is really unfair to everyone else. I will lower the grade that would have been awarded a letter grade each day that it is late. After three days,
assignments will not be accepted.

Testing procedures: 200 points
There will be four examinations each worth 100 points.  The exam will cover lecture notes, assigned readings, and other materials presented in class.  The
exam questions might consist of matching, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, quantum mechanics equations, and essay.

Assignments: 500 points
Reflections from watching childbirth videos -- 100 points  (Done in class after videos)                  
Cultural Influence Presentation
OR Developmental Disorder Presentation -- 100 points                
Children’s Television Show Review  --
100 points    (Due on March 13)                    
Activity Option Display --
100 points         
Attendance and Participation --
100 points                 

Grading scale:

630 -- 700 = A
550 -- 629 = B
480 -- 549 = C
410 -- 479 = D
Below 409 = F                        
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ASSIGNMENTS:

1.  Reflections from childbirth videos. (In class writing assignment)     **100 points**
After watching the videos presented in class, write your reflections and reactions. Due in class; obviously this does not have to be typed, etc.

2.  Cultural Influence Presentation      **100 points** (choose only 2 or 3)
Choose a specific culture to highlight and present to the class. Report to the class the various patterns and behavior that make this culture unique. Be sure to
touch on ways that our cultures are similar and how we can provide a more inclusive educational experience for those from this culture. You are encouraged
to provide hand-outs for the other class members for their portfolios.

-- OR -- (By which I mean, choose 2 or choose 3 but not both)

3.  Developmental Disorder Presentation        **100 points** (choose only 2 or 3)
Choose a specific developmental disorder and research the cause, characteristics, and other data concerning the disorder. Describe the implications that this
disorder has on a person’s life. Provide enough understanding to give a basic understanding of the disorder. Again, hand-outs are encouraged to share with
other class members.

4.  Children’s TV Show Review        **100 points**
Choose a children’s television show to watch and review critically. Observe how the show addresses such issues as individuality, multiculturalism, character,
violence, etc. Is this show appropriate for the target audience? What is appropriate and what are some ways that the show could be changed to make it
appropriate? Turn in 1-page typed.

5. Activity Option Display          **100 points**
Make a poster or power point or overhead or other such thing display of the research option you have chosen from below. These will be presented after the
cultural and developmental disorder presentations. See options below.
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Activity Options:

Option # 1: Interviewing parents
The demands of parenthood disrupt the routines of the husband and wife and change their lifestyles in ways that are often permanent.  Speak with parents of
a newborn (first-time parents, if possible) to find out how the arrival of their baby has changed their lives.  This will elicit an amazing amount of information!
Questions should be open-ended and the interview should flow naturally. Questions might include such things as:
What surprised you the most when your child was born?
Have you both continued to work?  How has the baby affected this?
What is your division of parental duties like?
How has your relationship changed?
How do you handle the stress involved with caring for a newborn?
What was your biggest adjustment?
You can also cover such things as:
1.  Birth story
2.  Daily routine
3.  Description of the child’s character and personality.  

Take notes or record the interview.  Make a visual display of your findings.

Option # 2: Historical perspective of pregnancy
Advice to pregnant women has changed over the last twenty years.  Examine popular magazines and other literature provided to the general population over
the last 20 years.  Also, you may want to visit an obstetrician’s office and either talk to the doctor or see what kinds of literature are available to couples
expecting a baby.  See if they have copies of any older materials that they no longer keep available (you may have to tell them that this is for an assignment).  
Note changes over the years regarding maternal cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, nutrition, etc.  Look at the current literature and answer:
Is the information clear?
Is the information accurate?
Is the information supported with research?
Produce a visual display of what you have learned.

Option # 3:  Evaluation of toys or children’s literature
Evaluate several toys (minimum of 10) or several books pertaining to a certain age (minimum 10).  See how they are designed with respect to perceptual
capabilities needed to respond appropriately, motor skills required (toys), and abilities or concepts that the toy or book promotes.  Pay attention to the
recommended ages and guidelines provided for each toy or book.  Make a visual display of your findings, including, if possible, pictures of the toys or books,
or the actual toy or book.  Include what you can find out from scholarly literature about play or literacy for your chosen age group.

Option # 4:  Research laws regulating childcare.
The quality of child care, both at home and in a childcare setting, is important for fostering the emotional security of young children.  The quality of American
childcare is a cause for deep concern.  Standards are set by the states, and they vary greatly across the nation.  In some places, caregivers need no special
training in child development, and one adult is permitted to care for as many as 6 to 12 infants at once.  Research information about licensure or standards of
child care in Tennessee, for example:
licensure information for staff
child-to-caregiver ratio
maximum group sizes
space and equipment
health and safety requirements
transportation
child records
curriculum requirements
discipline
rating system
parental rights
nutritional requirements
Prepare a visual of what you have learned.

Option # 5: Examining preschool art
Small children have interesting ways of drawing.  Around age 3 or 4, a child usually draws her first picture of a person.  Between 3 and 6, drawing gradually
becomes more complex.  Collect art samples from preschoolers of varying ages.  Note the age and gender of each child for your visual.  You may display the
art on your visual, if you like.  Come to an understanding of the milestones associated with the development of skills in art, and the general ages associated
with each milestone.  Show concrete examples of your findings through the artwork.

Option # 6: Observing make-believe play
Visit a home or childcare center, focusing on 1 ½ to 3 year old children.  Watch the children at play.  If you can become part of the play, it is even better, so
that you can try to understand more clearly what is happening.  Have the children explain in their own words what is happening.  On your visual, display the
pretend play with words and pictures.  Use quotes from the children to spice it up.  What are the developmental milestones associated with make-believe
play?  See if the children you are observing are true to the expectations.

Option # 10: Development of the human senses
Make a visual display of all of the human senses.  Indicate on your display how each develops, both prenatally and after birth.  Show the developmental
pathways that a human normally follows in each of the five senses (touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste).  If a newborn is born with one of the senses not
working, what are the implications for his/her life?  What interventions may ease their progress in life?

Option # 11: Children’s literature
Examine children’s literature, focusing on a specific age.  Look at the artwork and the text, making notes of how appropriate the book is to the age
recommended.  Make a visual of your assessment of these books (at least 10).  You might also want to talk to parents, teachers, or children to learn their
perspectives.

Option # 12: Attachment display
Make a display of attachment theory, indicating notable names in attachment theory history, milestones, implications for parents and practitioners, and
attachment disorders.  Be sure to include your assessment of attachment theory.

Option # 13: Freud or Jung or Rogers or Maslow display
Make a display of the theorizing of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Abraham Maslow, or Carl Rogers, delineating phases of psychosexual development (Freud),
dream interpretation and mandalas (Jung), the hierarchy of needs (Maslow), or humanistic approach (Rogers) and other terminology typically associated with
him (them). Be sure to include your assessment of his (their) theories. Address the applicability of his (their) theorizing to our society._

Option # 7: Interviewing preschoolers
Because preschoolers are notorious for short interviews, interview at least 3 preschoolers. Ask a general question (for example, “Tell me about yourself”) and
follow-up with more specific queries addressing the child’s likes and dislikes, what he is good at or not good at. (NOTE: Some answers that preschoolers give
may be quite surprising or personal. Use discretion.) Did the child describe himself using observable descriptors (such as, name, physical appearance,
everyday behaviors) or did they use psychological characteristics (such as, beliefs, emotions, attitudes)? Record the interviews if possible. Make a visual of
your interviews, using the children’s own words for interest.

Option # 8: Make a time line of theorists for display
Using material in the text book as well as other sources (if desired) make a time line of important theorists in human development.  Indicate on your time line
the contributions of each theorist.  Make a note of how each theorist has influenced other theorists and also our thinking for today.  Make this into an attractive
visual which can be displayed.  BE AS COMPREHENSIVE AS POSSIBLE!!!!  

Option # 9: Genetic or other disorders of pregnancy
Make a display of several of the genetic or other types of problems that may occur in pregnancy (such as fetal alcohol syndrome, implications of cigarette
smoke, transmission of STDs or other diseases from mother to baby, etc.)  Make a visual as well as descriptive statements of causes, interventions, and
outcomes. Try to be comprehensive as time and space permits, but do not become overwhelmed.

Option # 14: School programs for children with disabilities OR talented and gifted programs
Visit an elementary school for the purpose of observing either a special education classroom or a gifted-talented classroom.  Make an assessment of the
classroom, indicating the age and developmental abilities of the children in the classroom.  Find out the laws that regulate this kind of classroom.  Make a
visual of your experience.  Include your own assessments.

Option # 15: Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Do some research on sexually transmitted diseases.  Make a visual of your research, indicating the symptoms, cures, and implications of each disease (for
giving birth, for instance).  

Option # 16: Anti-substance Campaign
Make a convincing campaign poster against smoking, alcohol, or illicit drugs.  Indicate on your poster your knowledge of this substance that you obtained
through research.  Make sure to note the symptoms and implications for each in a person’s life.

Option # 17: Human Genome Project
Look into the findings of the Human Genome Project, indicating the timeline. Describe what you find, using proper terminology  (chromosomes, DNA, genes,
RNA, etc). Examine in detail one finding (such as a particular gene) and describe the implications of this finding on human society. Make a visual of your
research.

Option # 18: I’m tired, what do you think is a good idea?
Relationships, marriage, divorce, Alzheimer’s Disease, insurance, parenthood, career choices, elementary schools, high schools, childhood diseases,
immunizations, early parental death, ADHD, Down Syndrome, etc. etc. etc. etc. . . . .   Please present to me any other idea you might have for an attractive
display and presentation to the class that is
RELEVANT TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT!
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Introductions, syllabus, textbook
Chapter 1 --
History, Theories, Research
Chapter 2 -- Biological and Environmental Foundations
Teratogens

Chapter 3 -- Prenatal Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Chapter 4 -- Birth and the Newborn Baby
Childbirth videos -- writing assignment

NO CLASS,
I will miss your faces.

Chapter 5 -- Physical Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Chapter 6 -- Cognitive Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Review for first test -- chapters 1-- 6

FIRST TEST; chapters 1 -- 6
Chapter 7 --
Social and Emotional Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Chapter 8 -- Physical Development in Early Childhood
Attachment

Chapter 9 -- Cognitive Development in Early Childhood
Parenting Styles
Reggio Emilia Preschools

Chapter 10 -- Emotional and Social Development in Early Childhood
Chapter 11 -- Physical Development in Middle Childhood
Chapter 12 -- Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood
Review for second test -- chapters 7 -- 12

SECOND TEST -- chapters 7 -- 12
Gender
Multiple Intelligences
Moral Development

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
Links for more learning and
pleasure

History of Child Development
Theorists

Disabilities
Disabilities
Disability laws
Disability history
IDEA 2004
Literature evaluation
Autism
Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Intellectual Disabilities
Traumatic Brain Injury
Specific Learning Disabilities
Multiple Disabilities
Orthopedic Impairment
Other Health Impairment
Deaf
Deaf-Blind
Visually Impaired, including Blindness
Speech and Language Disorders

Biological and Environmental
Foundations
DNA and stuff

Pregnancy
Pregnancy
Tables: Apgar, IQ, cranial nerves

Teratogens
teratogens
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Attachment

Birth and the Newborn Baby
Childbirth
Tables, Apgar scale at the top
prematurity

Abuse, Indications of Abuse

Physical Development in Infancy and
Toddlerhood
development
parenting styles
immunizations

Cognitive Development in Infancy and
Toddlerhood
baby signing

Emotional and Social Development in
Infancy and Toddlerhood
classic and award winning books
Dr. Seuss
Children's books about disabilities

Physical Development in Early
Childhood
Multiple Intelligences
Illustrations game
Author game

Cognitive Development in Early
Childhood
Reggio Emilia pictures

Social and Emotional Development in
Early Childhood
Moral Development

Banned books 1; Banned books 2
Genograms