Human growth and development course outline for certificate in social work and community development

1.0 HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Human growth and development is one of the oldest branches of (psychology) on how the human organism grows and matures from birth to childhood, adolescence, adulthood and on to aging.

in its attempt to study human growth and development it looks into physical and mental development in shaping the individual. As such,the study encompasses the physical, mental and social aspects of development

Success in helping people which is the aim of social development workers, calls for an understanding of human behavior.It is expected that this subject will equip the trainees with basic knowledge

in human growth and development which in turn will be of service to them. In their daily interactions and activities with the people they serve.

1.2 GENERAL OBJECTIVES

At the end of this subject, the trainee should be able to;

  • Acquire better understanding of human nature in general;
  • Understand theories of human growth and development and their application to practical work
  • Identify unique behavior patterns or problems relative to specific ages and stages of development
  •  Understand their role in relation to their clients to enable them meet their needs

1.3 SUBJECT SUMMARY

  • Meaning and scope of psychology
  • Introduction to human growth and development
  • Basic theories of development
  • Basic theories of leaning
  • Personality development

1.4 CONTENT

MEANING AND SCOPE OF PSYCHOLOGY

Specific objectives

At the end of this topic, the trainee will be able ;

  • Understand and explain the meaning of psychology
  • Identify different branches of psychology

Topic outline

(a) Definition of psychology

(b) Different branches of psychology

  • Human growth and development
  • Tests, measures and evaluation
  • attitudes and motivation
  • Statistics and research methodology
  • Counselling psychology

Learning and instructional methodology

  • Lectures
  • Discussions
  • Reading of relevant materials

Assesment

  • Tests
  • Assigments

1.4.1 Introduction to human growth and development

Specific objectives

At the end of this topic,the trainee will be able to;

  • Define human growth and develoipment;
  • Acquire and demonstrate basic knowledge of human growth and development;
  • Understand the different key concepts in development;
  • Analyze and diagnose problems in development;
  • Distinguish and explain the role of heredity versus environment and the interaction of these two in development and growth.

Topic outline

(a) Definition of human growth and development;

(b) Key concepts in human development

  • Perception
  • Motivation
  • Attitude
  • Maturation
  • Readiness

(c) Problems in human development

  • Physiological
  • Physiological or social factors
  • Economics factors

Learning and instructional methodology

(a) Lectures

(b) Discussions

(c) Reading of relevant materials

(d) Use of audio visual resources

(e) Presentations

Assessment

(a) Tests

(b) Assignments

(c) Presentation

1.4.3 BASIC THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT

Specific Objectives

At the end of this topic, the trainee will be able to;

  • Understand and explain the different theories of development
  • Identify and apply appropriate theory or theories in understanding and solving problems

Topic outline

  • Psycho-analytic theory
  • psycho-social theory
  • Cognitive theory

Learning and instructional methodology

  • Lectures
  • Discussions
  • Reading and relevant materials
  • Use of audio visual resources

Assesment

  • Assigments
  • Tests
  • Presentation

1.4.4 Basic theories of learning

Specific objectives

At the end of this topic, the trainee will be able to:

  • Understand and explain the main school of thought of learning;
  • identify and apply appropriate learning skills relative to client

Topic outline 

  • Behaviorism( Conditioning approach)
  • Cognitive approach-(Gestalt school of thought)

Learning and instructional methodology

  • Lectures
  • Discussions
  • Reading of relevant materials
  • Use of audio Visual resource
  • Use of resource persons

Assessment 

  • Tests
  • Assignments

1.4.5 Introduction to Human growth and development

Specific objectives

At the end of this topic, the trainee will be able to:

  • Define human growth and development;
  • Acquire and demonstrate basic knowledge  of human growth and development;
  • Understand and differentiate key concepts in development;
  • Analyze and diagnoses problem in development;
  • Distinguish and explain the role of hereditary versus environment and the interaction of these two in development and growth.

Topic outline

(a) Definition of human growth and development;

(b) Key concepts in human development

  • Perception
  • Motivation
  • Attitude
  • Maturation
  • Readiness

(c) Problems in human development

  • Physiological
  • Psychological or social factor
  • Economic factors

(d) Hereditary and environment

Learning and instructional methodology

  • Lecture
  • Discussions
  • Reading relevant resources
  • Presentations

Assessment

  • Tests
  • Assignments
  • Presentations

1.4.6 BASIC THEORIES OF LEARNING

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

At the end of this topic,the trainee will be able to:

  • Understand and explain the main schools of thought of learning
  • Identify and apply appropriate learning skills relative to client.

TOPIC OUTLINE

  • Behavioral(Conditioning approach)
  • Cognitive approach-(Gestalt school of thought)

Learning and instructional methodology

  • Lectures
  • Discussions
  • Reading of relevant resources
  • Use of resource persons

Assessment

  • Tests
  • Assigments
  • Observation

Personality development

Specific objectives

At the end of this topic,the trainee will be able to:

  • Discuss personality development
  • Apply the acquired knowledge  and skills of personality development in their day to day work

Topic Outline

(a) Defination of personality development

(b)Theories of personality

  • Development theories
  • Learning theories
  • Dynamic theories

Learning and instructional methodology

  • Lectures
  • Discussions
  • Reading of relevant materials

Assessment

  • Tests
  • Assignments
  • Presentations
  • Observations