Guidance and Social Development

This course introduces practical principles and techniques for providing a balanced, child-centered approach to addressing the developmental needs and abilities of children in the early childhood years. Course content includes review of general theories of child guidance and how guidance encourages autonomy and self-discipline while promoting development of positive self-concept and early social development. Emphasis is placed on encouraging self-esteem, activities to promote pro-social behaviors, the relationship between the classroom environment and behavior, and the importance of observation to understand the underlying causes of behavior.