Child Development in a Social-Cultural Context

Children learn and develop in a social-cultural context as they interact with the people of their communities (e.g., parents, teachers, peers) and navigate the settings of everyday life—family, school, neighborhood, and broader culture. Indeed, experiences at all points in the life course affect what children learn, how they learn, and from whom they learn, and support children’s integration into their cultural communities. This course on the contexts of development examines children’s experiences at different ages in different cultures and settings—with emphasis on the central role of parents and other caregivers in shaping children’s developmental trajectories. Class discussion and presentations will critically examine readings of empirical studies, with consideration of how basic research findings can be applied to clinical practice, programs and interventions for children and families, and educational curricula. 

Core Requirement Satisfied: Cultures and Contexts