OVERVIEW

The course introduces students to the study of psychological development; it will include both theoretical aspects and methods and techniques used.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

a) Providing a theoretical and methodological framework of reference for the study of developmental processes; b) promoting knowledge of psychological development, of the processes and mechanisms underlying it, of the causes determining it.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

As for the specific objectives relating to prepare teachers for preschool, the course aims to make to acquire knowledge and skills related to the main stages of development in preschool and the prerequisites for learning.

As for the specific objectives relating to prepare teachers for primary school, the course aims the students acquire knowledge and skills related to the main stages of the development of pre-school and school age, in order to facilitate understanding of school-age learning processes, useful for teaching and educational planning. The course is also aimed to provide an in-depth picture of the main processes involved in school learning.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course. actively participating in the planned teaching activities, students will be able to:

• acquire adequate knowledge and effective understanding of psychological development, with particular reference to the age range between birth and adolescence;
• apply the knowledge acquired and understand any problematic situations for learning;
• use the knowledge acquired on a conceptual and operational level with autonomous assessment skills and ability in school contexts;
• use the technical language typical of the discipline to communicate clearly and unambiguously with specialist and nonspecialist interlocutors;
• communicate effectively in written and oral form, using different sources and supports, processing and evaluating different information;
• manage social interactions, collaborate for a common purpose, communicate constructively while respecting others, create a climate of mutual trust, show willingness to overcome prejudices, express and understand different points of view, and manage any conflicts;
• reflect on one's own learning, gaining autonomy in studying, concentrating and reflecting on a task, gaining awareness of one's own learning strategies, organizing and evaluating personal learning;
• develop adequate learning skills that allow them to continue to independently explore the main issues of the discipline, especially in the working contexts in which they will operate.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and group exercises following the Team Based Learning  will be provided.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The main stages of development will be discussed, with particular reference to the development of perceptual skills, cognitive, linguistic and relational in infancy and childhood. A reflection on the educational challenges to aspects of the development will be carried out. Monographic part of the course will consist of two texts specifically aimed at deepening the preparation for primary school and preschool: the key features that characterize the learning process are presented in the textbook "Processi cognitivi e apprendimento scolastico", and the preschool prerequisites for learning is included in the text "Apprendere alla scuola dell'infanzia. Lo sviluppo dei prerequisiti".

This course contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goal of the UN 2030 Agenda:
Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Attending and non-attending students have to prepare for the exam in these texts:

J. W. Santrock, Psicologia, sviluppo (4^ edizione), Milano, McGraw-Hill Education, 2021.
G.F. Amoretti, S. Morra, M.C. Usai  e  P. Viterbori (2020). Processi cognitivi e apprendimento scolastico. Carocci, Roma.
P. Bonifacci e V. Tobia, Apprendere alla scuola dell'infanzia. Lo sviluppo dei prerequisiti. Carocci, Roma, 2017.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIA CARMEN USAI (President)

PAOLA VITERBORI

LESSONS

Class schedule

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written and oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For all students the exam includes a written test and, after passing that, in an oral exam. The written test is divided into multiple-choice questions on the manual and is intended to assess understanding of the topics covered in class, the acquired knowledge and the ability to use this information in the developmental observation. The oral exam aims to explore the acquisition of knowledge about monographs.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with certified learning disabilities can contact the teacher for any measures aimed at supporting the learning process.
Foreign students may contact the teacher to substitute the suggested bibliography in Italian with books or articles in English. In addition, they may take the exam in English.