Course Description
This one semester elective course is designed to prepare students with the skills necessary now and in the future as a parent, family and community member, and child care worker. The project-based course is designed to address the roles and responsibilities of parenting, living in and understanding families, societal conditions and influences on the family, teen pregnancy and parenthood, birth control options, pregnancy and birth, growth of a newborn, and child care options. A minimum of 80% in Parenting/Child development 1 is a pre-requisite for Child development 2.
Rationale
Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs a person will ever have. Today families have many problems in raising children to function properly in society. Yet, so many people who have children do not have the background in child development to help them prepare for their future parenting roles. This course will help students learn about family issues/child development through the age of one and will be able to apply these skills in raising their own children and family.
Instructional Philosophy and Delivery Plan
Students will be expected to meet all of the course goals and be able to demonstrate their understanding of the basic concepts of parenting and child development. Instruction will focus on hands-on activities as well as lecture, discussion, guest speakers, use of technology and other methods. Students will have the opportunity to work individually and as a member of a team to complete projects. Projects will require students to use academic skills in language arts, math, social studies and science. Student assessment will be based upon group work and/or individual participation, presentations, written reports, tests on concept knowledge and demonstrations of important skills. In addition, community resources will be accessed through speakers, field trips and student contacts.
Major Course Projects
• Teen Pregnancy Project
• Birth Defects Project
• Book Review
• Parent/Caregiver Interview
Course Goals
2.1 Analyze principles of human growth and development across the life span.
2.1.1 Explain principles of human growth and development.
2.1.2 Examine the basic human needs and patterns that influence individual development.
2.1.3 Examine the influences of personality, temperament, and experience on learning and development.
2.1.4 Investigate the interrelationship of physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development across the life span.
2.1.5 Examine human development theories.
2.2 Examine personal and social forces that impact human growth and development across the life span.
2.2.1 Investigate the impact of heredity and family on human growth and development.
2.2.2 Analyze the impact of social, economic, and technological forces on human growth and development.
2.2.4 Assess the effects of environment and community on human growth and development.
2.2.5 Explain the effect of life events and conditions on individuals’ physical and emotional development.
2.3 Evaluate strategies that promote healthy development across the life span.
2.3.1 Select practices that support development across the life span.
2.3.2 Assess support systems that meet individual and family needs.
5.1 Analyze roles and responsibilities of parenting.
5.1.1 Examine the roles of parenting across the life span.
5.1.2 Examine expectations and responsibilities of parenting.
5.1.3 Recognize consequences of parenting practices to the individual, family and society.
5.1.4 Examine cultural differences in roles and responsibilities of parenting.
5.2 Analyze societal conditions that impact parenting.
5.2.1 Investigate the impact of personal, family and social development on parenting.
5.2.3 Explore the impact of changing economic conditions on parenting practices.
5.3 Evaluate parenting practices that maximize human growth and development.
5.3.1 Choose nurturing practices that support human growth and development.
5.3.2 Select communication strategies that promote positive self-esteem in family members.
5.3.3 Compare common discipline practices on human growth and development.
5.3.4 Describe the impact of abuse and neglect on children and families and methods for prevention.
5.3.5 Evaluate criteria for selecting care for children.
5.4 Evaluate external support systems that provide services for parents.
5.4.1 Assess community resources and services available to families.
5.4.2 Review current laws and policies related to parenting.
5.5 Analyze physical and emotional factors related to beginning the parenting process.
5.5.1 Examine biological processes related to prenatal development, birth, and the health of mother and child.
5.5.2 Consider the emotional factors of prenatal development and birth in relation to the health of the parents and child.
5.5.3 Examine implications of alternatives to biological parenting.
5.5.4 Determine legal and ethical impacts of technology.
Course Outline
Week 1. Parenthood/Roles of Parents
Week 2.
Week 3. Discipline and Guidance
Week 4. Financial Considerations
Week 5. Teen Pregnancy
Week 6. Theories of Development
Week 7. Prenatal Development
Week 8. Conception
Week 9. Prenatal Care
Week 10. Stages of Pregnancy
Week 11.
Week 12. Birth Defects
Week 13. Childbirth Preparation/Childbirth Choices
Week 14. Birth Process/Stages of Labor/Postnatal Care
Week 15. The Newborn
Week 16. Infancy development (physical, Emotional, Social, Intellectual)
Week 17.
Human Development 1
