Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | PSY-2010-VO05S - Child Development

Synchronous Class

Synchronous courses are delivered through a combination of online and regularly-scheduled Zoom sessions. In synchronous classes, students must attend Zoom sessions and actively engage with each other and faculty in course activities and discussions.

Faculty

Kim Freeman
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

General Education Requirements

VSCS Social Sciences

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

In this course, students will explore child development from conception through preadolescence. The course emphasizes physical, emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral, and communication development of the child. Topics include developmental theories, research, applications, and assessment tools.

Essential Objectives

1. Discuss theories and research on child development from conception to preadolescence, how they have evolved over time, and how they influence our understanding of children and their development.
2. Describe the physical, emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral, and communication milestones of children from the pre-natal period through preadolescence.
3. Discuss how culture, race, socioeconomic status, generational trauma, and other factors can influence when and how children demonstrate developmental milestones.
4. Identify and effectively use tools for developmental screening and assessment, including those relevant to temperament, learning style, and all developmental domains.
5. Evaluate assessment tools for bias and discuss the ways in which assessing children without adequate context of their circumstances can create or reinforce social inequalities.
6. Understand the multiple influences on early development, including biological, genetic, environmental, cultural, familial, and adverse childhood experiences and recognize the lasting impacts these influences can have on a child, the family unit, and the larger community.
7. Describe the elements of safe, healthy, supportive, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed environments for children from birth through preadolescence.
8. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding the scientific method and in interpreting and evaluating statistical and other quantitative data as it is applied to human behavior in an ethical manner.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

• small and large group discussions
• interactive projects and/or activities
• multimedia presentations and resources
• readings, writing, and inquiry-based research
• professional work-based learning experiences

Evaluation Criteria

Quizzes10%

Participation 20%

Final Project 30%

Weekly Assignments 40%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Full participation requires active and thoughtful engagement in class each week. The following habits and skills are important. You'll have the opportunity to self-assess and receive instructor feedback on each of these areas at the mid-point and the end of the semester.

• Attend class regularly, on-time and for the full session
• Keep your camera on and refrain from other tasks while in class.
• Complete all of the week's reading and assignments before the start of class.
• Listen to others attentively and with an open mind
• Positively contribute to class discussions and activities
• Ask questions and seek help when you need it
• Challenge yourself to do your best work.

Missing & Late Work Policy

• Late assignments can be submitted up to one week past the deadline.
• Extensions will be granted only in extenuating circumstances. If a lengthy medical problem or other emergent personal issue will result in missing weekly discussions and/or assignments, please contact your instructor as soon as possible.
• Students who know that they will not have course access for any given week should make arrangements with their instructor to complete assignments and participation requirements prior to the absence.
• You are responsible for checking Canvas and getting any notes, materials, and assignments for the class you missed. Please reach out and ask questions if anything is unclear.
• Plan to complete homework for the next class meeting on time. Being absent is not an excuse for not completing any homework assigned that day.

Experiential Learning Expectations

Hours: 1-5

Students will be required to observe and assess a young child between the ages of 0-8 years. This can occur in a home or early childhood program setting.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.