Developmental Psychology of Childhood

Developmental periods: prenatal period, infancy, toddlerhood, early, middle and late childhood, Cross-sectional and longitudinal approach to collecting data. Microgenetic approach in developmental research. Observation in the natural setting and laboratory. Interview, use of questionnaires, different ways of assessing development. Conception, embryo, foetus, birth, newborn. Biological growth. Development of infant and toddler: gross and fine motor development, development of perception, movements, cognitive, language, emotional, social development and the development of temperament. Development of attachment. Developmental views on school readiness. Development in early, middle and late childhood: cognitive development, conception formation, pragmatic use of language, metalinguistic awareness, theory of mind, social cognition, social and moral competence, development of personality characteristics, motor development. Problem solving. The role of socialisation in child’s development. Individual differences in different areas of development. Cultural differences. Development of child’s play. Development of child’s drawing. Gender similarities and differences in development.