Understanding Child Development Theories

Understanding how children grow, learn, and develop is fundamental to effective childcare practice. This short course explores key child development theories that underpin modern education and care. Drawing on the work of influential theorists, such as Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, Mary Ainsworth, and Tina Bruce, this course explores how theory informs everyday practice.

Learning Outcomes

  • You will be able to identify key child development theorists and outline the main principles of their theories
  • You will know how child development theories influence practice in early years and schools, including planning, behaviour management, and relationship building
  • You will be able to apply theoretical knowledge to practice by suggesting developmentally appropriate strategies to support children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development

Advantages of this course

  • This course will help you understand how children actively construct knowledge, how social interaction and guided support extend learning, how secure attachments influence emotional wellbeing, and how positive reinforcement and play-based approaches support holistic development
  • This course includes contemporary theorists as well as major theorists who have shaped our historical understanding of child development
  • Learning is delivered through tutorial videos, an e-Book, reading chunks, presentations, relevant external resources, and the Think and Challenge and Further Learning sections extend learning

Price: £24.99

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