Far Western University
Faculty of Education
Course Title: Developmental Psychology
Course Code: Ed.481
FM: 100
Credits: 3
Course introduction:
This course is designed to develop concept of overall child development along with motivation, guidance and counseling. It also enables students to understand the developmental stages of children special focus in puberty and adolescence. Similarly, it also enable students conceptualize social, emotional and mental development. At the same time course provide opportunity to be aware with issues and concerns of children. Finally, the course will develop capabilities to understand individual differences of children, guidance and counseling procedure.
Objectives of the Course:
- To familiarize student-teachers about the conceptions about child and childhood(Specially with reference to the adolescent youth)
- To develop understanding on developmental stages of child.
- To develop a critical understanding of the different social, educational and cultural contexts at the core of the exploration of childhood.
- To develop an understanding of the different aspects of a child with diverse abilities in the Social, cultural and Political context of Nepal.
- To acquaint them with respect to the role of different agencies in the healthy development of children.
Course Content with specific objectives:
| Specific Objectives | Content |
| Conceptualize growth and development Distinguish growth and development Discuss principles of G&D Explain theories of G&D | Unit-1: Concept of Growth and Development(5) 1.1 Introduction to developmental psychology 1.2. Concept of growth and development 1.3. Distinctions between Growth and Development 1.4. Principles of Development 1.5. Theories of growth and development: Jean Piagets theory of cognitive development (In detail); Freuds theory of psycho-sexual development, Erickson’s theory of psycho social development, Kohlberg’s theory of moral development (Introduction only) |
| Distinguish growth, development & maturation Explain stages of G&D Describe puberty and adolescence Discuss different types of development List educational implication of growth and developments | Unit-II: Growth and Development(8) 2.1. Introduction 2.2. Stages of growth and development 2.3. Puberty & adolescence (in detail with educational implication) 2.4. Physical/motor, cognitive/mental, Social and Emotional Development 2.5. Educational implication of growth development |
| Introduce individual differences Explain nature of individual differences Describe causes of individual differences Discuss individual differences List ways to dealing individual differences Elucidate importance of mental health and stress management in education | Unit III: Individual Differences (8) 3.1. Introduction 3.2. Nature of individual differences: intra and inter Individual differences 3.3. Causes of individual differences: (a) Personal-(Readiness to learn, abilities, aptitude, motivation, age, gender & maturity, interest, attention & attitude), (b) Environmental: (socio-economic status, rural-urban home environment of environment) 3.4. Individual differences: personality, self-concept, achievement, motivation, study habits, emotions. 3.5. Dealing with Individual Differences (Children with learning disabilities, Emotionally disturbed children, Gifted students, Mentally challenged children) 3.6. Mental health and stress management |
| Introducing motivation Explain nature and motivation Discuss motivation theory Describe higher mental process Explain memory and forgetting | Unit-IV: Motivation and higher mental process(6) 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Nature of motivation: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation 4.3. Motivation theories (Introduction only) 4.4. Higher mental process: Sensation, Perception, Imagination, Concept formation, mind mapping. 4.5. Memory and forgetting |
| Introduce issues and concerns of childhood Discuss types of social issues Explain health concern of child Enumerate child rights Describe equity issues and inclusion Explain gender equity and equality in education Discuss agency of socialization | Unit-V: Issues and Concerns of Children(10) 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Social issues: (a) Separation of Parents, (b) Loss of Parents, (c) Child abuse 5.3 Health concerns: Fitness and Obesity 5.4 Child rights: Issues and Problems and Awareness about Rights of Child 5.5 Equity Issues and Inclusion: (Inclusion of the differently able, children with special need, street children and marginalized groups) 5.6 Gender equity and equality in education 5.7 Socialization: concept and agencies (family, peers, school, media, etc.) |
| Conceptualize guidance and counseling Differentiate guidance and counseling Discuss types of counseling Enumerate counseling skill List characteristics of a good guidance worker/counselor | Unit VI: Concept of guidance and counseling(8) 6.1. Concept of guidance and counseling 6.2. Difference between guidance and counseling 6.3. Types of counseling styles-Direct, non-directive, eclectic 6.4. Counseling skills: Verbal skills and non-verbal skills 6.5. Characteristics of a good guidance worker/counselor |
