Course Title: Child Psychology

Credit Units: 03

P/S

SW/F
W

02

01

TOTAL
CREDIT
UNITS
03

Course Code: PSYC107

Course Level: UG
Course Objectives:
This paper introduces the students to the biological foundations, various developmental stages and theories from prenatal to childhood. The Students will also
learn the applications of child psychology in various settings.
Pre-requisites: NIL
Course Contents/Syllabus:
Weightage (%)

Module I: Introduction to Child Psychology

15

Descriptors/Topics

Definition, History, Nature Vs Nurture (Intelligence and Personality), Scope

Psychoanalytic perspective (Freud and Erickson) Behaviorist perspective- Social Learning Theory, Ecological Model
by Bronfenbrenner, Ethnological perspective. Indian Views (Purushartha, Ashramas, Samskaras)
Methods- Self Reports: Parental reports, Childrens reports. Case Study, Experimental method, Design- Longitudinal,
Cross Sectional Sequential and Correlation
Module II: Genetic Foundations of Development
Descriptors/Topics

Cell Division

15

Prerequisites of Conception- Maturation, Ovulation and Fertilization,

Mechanisms of Heredity
Multiple Births- Causes and Types
Chromosomal Abnormalities- Downs Syndrome (in Detail), Turners Klienfilters Triple X, XXY and Fragile X
Genetic Abnormalities- PKU, Sickle Cell Anameia, Tay Sachs Disease
Biology and Heredity: Cell Division
Module III: Motor and Sensory Development

15

Descriptors/Topics

Principles of Motor Development Sequence of Motor Development Motor Skills, Essentials in leaning Motor Skills
Environmental influences on motor development Can motor development be speeded up?
Sensory Development: Vision, hearing, taste and smell, early deprivation and enrichment of senses.
Module IV: Cognitive Development and Development of Language

20

Descriptors/Topics

Piagets cognitive development theory of intelligence- Structure and processes, stages, Evaluation
Information processing approach- Characteristics; Structures, Processes, Effects of knowledge on the information
processing system.
Components of language and its development
Module V: Emotional Development

20

Descriptors/Topics

Early emotional development

Emotional Intelligence, Regulation of Emotions
Social Development- Agents of socialization: Family- Parental control, sibling relationship; School; Peer group; MediaTV, books/journals, computers
Module VI: Moral Development
Kohlbergs & Piagets Theory
Meaning of discipline, essentials and techniques of discipline, evaluation of discipline
Assessing Moral Development

15

Student Learning Outcomes:

Construct and interpret a historical overview of Child psychology.
Appraise the students to the basic concepts and theories of Child Psychology
Review and apply the various theories of development across domains of development
Pedagogy for Course Delivery:
Theory classes using lecture & discussion mode
PowerPoint presentations including videos
Assigning students task of collecting researches/case studies relevant to each topic in current times & then having an interaction based discussion in the
class
Assessment/ Examination Scheme:
Theory L/T (%)

Lab/Practical/Studio (%)

TOTAL

100

NA

100

Theory Assessment (L&T):

Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment
Components (Drop down)

Weightage (%)

End Term Examination

Class Test

Presentation

Home Assignment

Attendance

10

10

Text:
Berk, Laura E, Child Development, Sixth Edition
J.W. Santrock (1997): Life Span Development: NY Brown & Benchmark
References:
Shrimali, Shyam Sunder, Child Development
Hurlock B, Elizabeth, Child Development, Sixth Edition, TATA McGraw Hill Edition

70