465-201 CDS 21: Social and Emotional Development

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

465-101 CDS11, 465-102 CDS12 and 465-103 CDS13, or equivalent.

Contact

Subject Description

A study of key theories, models and research which contribute to current understanding of normative patterns and individual differences in young children's social and emotional development in infancy and early childhood. Topics will include attachment relationships; the expression, regulation and understanding of emotion; self-awareness and other-awareness; interactional style; social competence and self-esteem; social problem-solving; friendship, empathy; pro-social and anti-social behaviours. Consideration will be given to the effect of biological predispositions, such as temperament, and contextual factors, such as child-rearing practices and attendance at day care, on developmental processes and change. The function of emotion and emotion regulation as organisers of children's social, cognitive and physical experiences will be of particular interest in examining the inter-relationships between developmental domains.

Assessment

Assignments totalling 2000 words and a 2-hour written examination.

Prescribed Texts

• Berk, L (1997), Child Development (4th Ed). Needam Heights Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon.