1. + Human Growth and Development FYI. 2011

2. + Human Growth and Development (HGD) Provides foundational knowledge about lifespan development One of the corner stone courses at Wheelock College and a critical course for many professions Fabulous professors! Most students take HGD for their entire freshmen year (HGD I & II). Classroom learning & application in real life through field placements (3 hours x 10 weeks = 30 hours/each semester)

3. + Q: What will my son or daughter do/learn in HGD? Gain critical thinking skills about how people develop, grow, and change through the lifespan. Consider individual growth AND individuals in contexts – families, schools, communities, culture Learn about important theories in developmental psychology Learn to observe children’s behaviors with a scientific eye. Write analytic papers & give oral presentations

4. + The Fall Semester: HGD I From prenatal development to early childhood (around age 5) Learn about theories; write observation & analysis papers on: Physical development Cognitive development Language development Socio-emotional development Field Placements in early childhood settings

5. + The Spring Semester: HGD II Middle childhood (school age), Adolescence, & Adulthood (early, middle, late); Death and Dying Expanded focus on contexts – families, peers, schools, communities, cultures Field Placement options are more diverse - e.g., schools, community settings; working with children, adolescents, adults, etc.) Assignments are more diverse – interviews, autobiographical analysis, current event critiques, etc.

6. + Q. How can I support my son or daughter’s learning in HGD? Please ask about what she is learning. What age group? What theorists? What types of development – physical, cognitive, language, socio-emotional? Please ask about her field placement. What is she learning from the children? From the site? About herself?

7. + How can I support my son or daughter’s learning in HGD? (Continued) Please encourage your child to take ownership of her learning. Encourage her to utilize resources – meet with professors, field experience office, peer tutors, writing center, oral presentation coaching, etc. Support her in trying new experiences. Encourage her to pace herself and persevere. Remind her you and many other people at Wheelock are behind her, wanting her to succeed.