PSYC 2655 A01: Child Development

PSYC 2655 - Child Development

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section A01, CRN 43326,

Credit hours: 3

Course Meeting Times

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Instructor

Jeffrey Coldren

Email: jtcoldren@ysu.edu

Public Instructor Information

Instructor Title: Professor
Instructor Professional Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. Child Development and Developmental Psychology; University of Kansas, 1992
  • MA. Human Development, University of Kansas, 1987
  • BA Albright College, 1983

Instructor Office Location: 4016 Beeghly Hall

Instructor Office Phone: 330-941-3264

Private Instructor Information

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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.  

Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

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How to Succeed in This Course

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Attendance Expectations

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Late Work Submission Policy

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Additional Course Expectations

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Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

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Assignments/Assessments

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Grading and Grading Scale

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University Policies

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Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of Reading(s) Proposed Topic Due/To Prepare for Class
8/24 SmartBook Chapters and Quizzes (chs. 1, 2, 3) The Nature of Child Development Discussion Board - Introduce Yourself
Discussion Board - Most Significant Issue
Discussion Board - Reflection
Policy Recommendation
Design a Study
Due Friday August 28 at 11:59 PM
8/31 SmartBook Chapters and Quizzes (chs. 4, 5, 6) Prenatal and Neonatal Periods Discussion Board - Reflection
Discussion - Birth
Evaluating Toy Claims
Video Concept Clip - Habituation
Video - Detecting Autism
Discussion - Predicting Autism
Lab Activity - Infant Vision
Due Friday, September 4 at 11:59 PM EST
9/7 SmartBook Chapters and Quizzes (chs. 7, 8) Cognitive Development Discussion Board - Reflection
Discussion Board - Risky Behavior
Testing for Piaget's Conservation
Lunch Time with Piaget
Day-Night Stroop Effect
Due Friday, September 11 at 11:59 pm EST
9/14 SmartBook Chapters and Quizzes (chs. 9, 10) Intelligence and Language Discussion Board - Reflection
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
Link - Take the Gardner Test
Due Friday, September 18 at 11:59 PM EST
9/21 SmartBook Chapters and Quizzes (chs. 11, 12) Emotional Development and the Self Discussion Board - Reflection
Discussion Board - Your Own Attachment
Discussion Board - Media and Self-Esteem
Attachment Observation
Identinfy Marcia's Statuses
Due Friday, September 25 at 11:59 PM EST
9/28 SmartBook Chapters and Quizzes (chs. 13, 14) Gender and Morality Discussion Board - Refection
Gender Sterotying on TV
Observing Altruism
Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Reasoning
Due Friday, October 2 at 11:59 PM EST
10/5 Smart Book Chapters and Quizzes (chs. 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 Requirement
Take the Grit Scale
Thinking about Grit
Discission Board - Most Significant Issue (at the end of the course))
Due Friday, October 9 at 11:59 PM EST

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.