Child Development, Learning & Responsive Practice

This course prepares candidates to apply knowledge of child and adolescent development to instructional decisions and interactions with learners. Candidates examine cognitive, linguistic, physical, social, emotional, and cultural factors that influence development and learning, recognizing that learners develop at different rates and bring varied experiences, strengths, and needs to the classroom. Emphasis is placed on using knowledge of learner development and individual differences to establish appropriate expectations, design developmentally responsive learning experiences, differentiate support, and promote inclusive learning environments in which all students can participate and grow. Through classroom-based application, candidates observe and analyze learner development, consider how individual and contextual factors influence learning and behavior, and use that information to make responsive instructional decisions that support the academic and developmental needs of individual learners.