Child Development in a British Context

The course begins with an investigation of the aims and principles of developmental psychology as a scientific discipline, and describes the methods used to obtain knowledge about children. The course will also draw upon Childhood Studies by examining childhood from historical, global, socio-cultural and policy perspectives. This is followed by an exploration of the major topics of development that have been investigated by psychologists.
The course presents a socio-cultural approach to contemporary issues of children’s development. The aim is to demonstrate the importance of understanding people in relation to their social world. The impact of global trends, social dynamics and the urban environment on children’s lives will be explored. Students will gain an insight into life in the UK – including education and child care practices and policies – and explore how it shapes children’s development. Issues such as children’s early attachments, the emergence of consciousness and language, developmental disorders and the role of play will be examined.