PSYC 2655 - Child Development
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 42806,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Jeffrey Coldren
Email: jtcoldren@ysu.edu
Course Description
2655. Child Development. Foundations of human development from conception through approximately the first decade of life. Fundamental issues of developmental processes in biological, cognitive, and social-emotional domains and their broader implications for society and later development of the individual. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Child Development: An Introduction | J. W. Santrock |
This book is part of the “First Day Ready” program. If you wish to purchase a physical copy of the textbook, contact the bookstore. You will access the text and all assignments through Blackboard and McGrawHill’s Connect learning platform.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | none | First Week: Introduction to the Course | Discussion Board - Introduce Yourself Discussion Board - Most Significant Issue Due Friday August 28 at 11:59 PM |
| 8/31 | SmartBook and Quizzes - chapters 1, 2, 3 | The Nature of Child Development | Policy Recommendation Design a Study Discussion Board - Reflection Due Friday, September 11 at 11:59 PM EST |
| 9/14 | SmartBook and Quizzes - chapters 4, 5, 6 | Prenatal and Neonatal Periods | Discussion Board - Birth Discussion Board - Reflection Evaluating Toy Claims Video Concept Clip - Infant Habituation Video - Detecting Autism Discussion - Predicting Autism Lab Activity - Infant Vision Due Friday, September 25 at 11:59 PM EST Exam 1 - Friday, September 25 - in class |
| 9/28 | SmartBook and Quizzes - chapters 7, 8 | Cognitive Development | Discussion Board - Reflection Discussion - Risky Behavior Testing for Piaget's Conservation Lunch Time with Piager Day-Night Stroop Effect Due Friday, October 9 at 11:59 PM EST |
| 10/12 | SmartBook and Quizzes - chapters 9, 10 | Intelligence and Language | Discussion Board - Reflection Link - Take the Garnder Test Discussion - Which Kind of Intelligence Are You? Discussion - Your Experience with Intelligence Tests Take a Position - Intelligence Language Observation The Wug Test Video Concept Clip - Intelligence Due Friday, October 23 at 11:59 PM EST Exam 2 - Friday, October 23 in class |
| 10/26 | SmartBook and Quizzes - chapters 11, 12 | Emotional Development and the Self | Discussion Board - Reflection Discussion - Your Own Attachment Discussion - Media and Self-Esteem Attachment Observation Identity Statuses Due Friday, November 9 at 11:59 PM EST |
| 11/9 | SmartBook and Quizzes - chapters 13, 14 | Gender and Morality | Discussion Board - Reflection Gender Stereotyping on TV Observing Altruism Kolhberg's Stages of Moral Reasoning Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 PM EST Exam 3 - Friday, November 20 in class |
| 11/23 | SmartBook and Quizzes - chapters 15, 16, 17 | Social Systems in Development | Discussion Board - Reflection Video and Reaction - Bullying Video and Reaction - Economic Case for Preschool Discussion Board - Parenting Class Requirment Take the Grit Scale Thinking about Grit Discussion Discussion Board - Most Significant Issue Due Friday, December 4 at 11:59 PM EST |
| 12/7 | Finals Week | Exam 4 - Monday, December 7 at 10:30 AM |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.