Applied Child Development: The overall purpose of this course is to learn how to apply developmental theory in order to become more effective classroom teachers, parents, and service providers for children.
Taking a developmental perspective often involves learning to set aside our, adult predetermined agenda so that we might observe, listen, and learn from the children in our class in order to determine our next course of action. For this reason, developmental perspectives have often been dubbed child-centered/ student centered perspectives.
This course is structured as five units:
- How does context shape development?
- How is school like a ‘theater’ for identity development?
- How can we plan for conceptual change?
- What does it mean to provide developmentally appropriate instruction?
- How can I help children learn to manage their own behavior?
Link to EDP 370 Course Handbook on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/edp-370-handbook/id705427002?mt=11
Learning, Leading, and Serving in the Community
12 Hour Service-Learning Experience: As part of this course we have several “texts.” One type of text is the formal textbook that we will read as a guide for understanding developmental theory. Another type of text that we will read are journal articles/ book chapters that will contextualize how we think about developmental psychology in terms of the work we do with children in schools and with schools in our community. The third and equally important text that we will ‘read’ is a community experience where we observe children and allow them to teach us, first hand, about their own development. As part of this course you are expected to complete a minimum of 12 hours of service as a mentor to a student. This does not include travel to and from the field site. There are three potential field sites for you to complete your 12-hour field experience:
StepUP Ministry Children’s Program: Our primary partner for the course for the last four years has been StepUP Ministries Children’s Program. We have placed over 60 NCSU interns to work with children in the nursery, K-5, or adolescent programs. StepUP meets each Tuesday evening from approximately 5:45-8:15pm. NCSU interns will be divided into two groups and will alternate for a bi-monthly commitment. StepUP has a rotating schedule of adult volunteers from the junior league who assist with their programming. Because of the low adult-child ratio and because NCSU interns only attend StepUP six times throughout the term. Thus, interns who attend this site need to be outgoing and make the effort to introduce and avail themselves to the children and adolescents. StepUp meets at White Memorial Church off Oberlin Rd.
YMCA Community HOPE Program: For the last two years, we have partnered with the YMCA Community HOPE program at A. E. Finley. This program represents a partnership between local churches and the YMCA to pool their efforts to serve elementary and middle grades children living in the Raleigh Gardens Public Housing Community. The K-5 grade program is held at Providence Baptist Church on M/W with two sessions from 4:30-5:30pm and 5:30-6:30pm. The program has a strong literacy emphasis. The 6-8th grade enrichment program is held at St. Giles Church on TU/TH from 4:30-5:30pm. This program has a strong career and cultural exploration emphasis. Both programs have a strong curricular focus and carefully plan activities for 1:1 mentoring. Both churches are located off Glenwood / 70 past Crabtree Valley Mall. NCSU interns who choose one of these placements as their field site will be asked to pick one day a week to regularly make a 1-hr commitment to serve as a substitute mentor / co-mentor. Students who attend select this field site must also complete a 1hr training with the YMCA Community of Hope director.
PreEminent Charter School: Our third partner is with PreEminent Charter School in Southeast Raleigh (K-2 Team). “Great teachers develop great students by creating an environment of high standards and by setting clear expectations.” Known for its reputation for serving the African American community in Raleigh, PreEminent charter does not shy away from the task of serving historically marginalized students. Over the last three years, despite 70% of their students receiving assistance with lunch, they have met academic standards while integrating culturally relevant curriculum. Interns who chose this field site would make a 1-hr weekly tutoring commitment. NCSU students who choose this field site will work 1:1 or with students in small groups. Teachers often rely on our interns to identify academic enrichment activities for working with students. Interns who attend PreEminent must commit themselves to contacting their teacher 48 hrs prior to each visit to plan for their time.
As a student in a professional school I expect students will 1) arrange their schedule to accommodate regular attendance at the field site, 2) behave in a professional manner that exemplifies the College of Education’s mission to Lead and Serve, and 3) promptly contact both myself and site supervisors in the event that you are unable to meet your commitment.
Complete the Field Placement Survey: