Child Growth and Development

Course Syllabus:  SCC CDEV 107 - Child Development Syllabus - Fall 2018 - Revised 091918.pdf

Meet Your Instructor:  Darcie M. Kass

Darcie M. Kass is the Owner/Director of A Child’s Place Learning Center, Inc.  (ACP) and Executive Director of Friend Builders, Inc. She has her Bachelor of Science in Human Services/Management and her Master’s in Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood Leadership.  Darcie is Adjunct Faculty at Orange Coast College, Santiago Canyon College and Santa Ana College teaching classes in Child Development and Inclusion along with presenting at conferences, workshops and trainings throughout the County.  From 1997 to present, Darcie has worked at ACP, first as a Pre-K teacher and then as Director and in 2012, she purchased the program. Darcie has expanded the center’s full-inclusion program along with developing a separate program that focuses on teaching social skills to preschool age children.   Darcie is a Director Mentor through the California Early Childhood Mentor Program and facilitates the West Orange County Directors Collaborative.  She is currently a member of the Orange County Child Care and Development Planning Council and is Co-Chair of the Orange County Inclusion Collaborative.

Darcie has two children, who are now big people and settling into their own careers.  She loves all animals and has a dog, three cats, a snake and fish.  In her spare time, Darcie enjoys kickboxing, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Course Description: This introductory course examines the interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors and the major physical, psychosocial, and cognitive/language developmental milestones for children, both typical and atypical, from conception through adolescence. While studying developmental theory and investigative research methodologies, students will observe children, evaluate individual differences, and analyze characteristics of development at various stages. Field-based assignments may be required. No credit for students who have taken Psychology 157.  A negative TB test result and state-mandated immunizations are required for some fieldwork assignments and certificate completion. 

Textbook Information: 

ISBN-13: 9781319217815

$75.00 NET

Loose-Leaf Version of California Value Edition + LaunchPad

LaunchPad includes Developing Lives, a robust and sophisticated, interactive experience in which each student “raises” a virtual child from sperm-and-egg to teenager and Learning Curve, adaptive and formative quizzing which gets students involved and engaged in their coursework.

Student Learning Objectives:  

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

1. Describe development of children from conception through adolescence in the physical, social, emotional and cognitive domains.
2. Critically evaluate the cultural, economic, political, historical contexts that impact children’s development.
3. Apply developmental theory to child observations, surveys, and/or interviews using investigative research methodologies.