Description
This course addresses three important issues of early childhood: health, development and parenting. Common health problems of infancy and early childhood are discussed along with important health promotion and disease prevention strategies for creating safe and nurturing environments. Content will address general social, environmental and biological influences and factors that collectively impede or facilitate individual and family development, the major periods and domains of child development, and the importance of early learning experiences that enhance brain development. Students will learn about characteristics and importance of parent-child interactions as well as other cultural and social influences on parenting skills. The depth of developmental knowledge provided is intended to enhance the skills of the family health and support worker, to increase their ability to provide anticipatory guidance and teaching, and to empower the parent-child relationship.