The Developing Child: Toddler and Preschool Years (HDCD 6320; HCS 7355) 

Spring 2009; Monday, 7:00‐9:45; GR 4.208 
Dr. Shayla C. Holub 
 
Professor Contact Information: 
Shayla Holub, Ph D.         E‐mail: sholub@utdallas.edu 
Office: Green Hall, 4.822      Phone: 972‐883‐4473  
Office Hours: Monday 4:00‐5:00 and by appointment     
 
Course Pre‐requisites: The Developing Child: Infancy (HDCD 5311) or instructor approval 
 
Course Description: Parents, teachers, early intervention specialists, doctors, psychologists, and many 
others are interested in early childhood development for two primary reasons. First, individuals who work 
with children of all ages need to have an accurate understanding of young children’s behavior, thoughts, 
and abilities. Second, early childhood is fascinating because it is a time of rapid growth and change in 
behavior, thought and abilities. This course will explore the ways that children change (and how they stay 
the same) in their physical, motor, cognitive and psychosocial development. We will examine the 
development of 24‐60 month old children across several domains, the mechanisms of developmental 
change, individual differences in development, and the practical applications of this research. 
 
Course Goals: Upon completion of this course, students should: 1) have knowledge about milestones in 
early childhood development, 2) be able to comprehend and apply major developmental theories, 3) 
understand methodologies used in early childhood research and 4) be able to critically evaluate published 
research in early child development. It is also hoped that this course will promote students’ independent 
and critical thinking, further develop students’ abilities to communicate more effectively, and give students 
greater appreciation for the science of childhood development.  
 
Primary Competencies: This course will also cover information relevant to the following competencies 
specified by the Texas Interagency Council as required for future recognition as an early intervention 
specialist (EIS).  
PD1‐ The EIS knows basic principles of child development and recognizes typical developmental 
milestones in children birth to 36 months of age.  
PD9‐ The EIS knows the types and significance of interactions among infants and toddlers, and 
utilizes both spontaneous and planned activities to promote positive peer interactions.  
PROF 12‐ The EIS understands how adult expectations influence children’s development. 
 
Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes:  
1.1. Students will identify and describe key milestones of early childhood development across several 
domains, including physical, cognitive, and social development.  
1.2. Students will comprehend and have the ability to apply and describe major developmental theories and 
themes in early childhood development.  
1.3. Students will recognize and describe social influences on development.  
6.1. Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate published research in early childhood 
development.   
 
 

Developing Child: Toddler and Preschool Years Syllabus Page 1

Required Textbooks and Materials: 
There is no formal textbook for this course. Students will be assigned readings for each topic that they must 
retrieve through the electronic course reserves or through the library. Most readings do not provide 
comprehensive information about the lecture topic, but provide additional perspective on and more in‐
depth analysis of class subjects.  Reading these chapters and empirical articles will help you to be an active 
participant in class discussions and promote mastery of class material. Information from these readings will 
also be included on exams.  
 
Grading Policy: I am most concerned that students in this course gain skills that will help them be 
productive in their future roles as students, professionals, or parents. Nevertheless, I need to quantitatively 
assess students’ knowledge of course material. Thus, course requirements and how points will be 
distributed are outlined below. Final grades will be calculated as follows: A = 90 points and above, B= 80‐89 
points, C= 70‐79 points, F= below 70 points. +/‐ will be given at the discretion of the professor.  
 
Class Participation, Discussion Board, & Class Assignments (total 10%). Students are expected to 
participate in class in several different ways (all of which contribute toward the course grade). First, 
students should be actively involved in class discussions. To do this, course readings should be 
completed before coming to class. Second, students are required to post a question or comment 
about the readings on the class discussion board on WEB CT before 10pm on Sunday night, the day 
before the reading is to be discussed. This will give all students an opportunity to highlight 
something about the readings that they would like to discuss. Third, students will have an 
opportunity to complete assignments which have been designed to further interest and 
comprehension of course material.   
 
Article Discussion (total 5%). Each student will read an empirical article and prepare a presentation 
for the class summarizing the research. The student is responsible for engaging his or her peers in 
discussion about the article. Topics will be assigned on the first day of class. Students should work 
with Dr. Holub to select an appropriate article. See handout for more details.  
 
Exams (each worth 25%; total 75%). Three exams are scheduled over the course of the semester. 
Exams 1 and 3 will be in‐class exams (multiple choice, short answer, and essay). Exam 2 will be a 
take‐home exam. These exams will require you to display your knowledge about information from 
lectures and supplemental readings.  
 
Final Paper (10%). You will be asked to complete a 6‐10 page report that will allow you to 
demonstrate your mastery of course material. More details will be provided in the coming weeks.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Developing Child: Toddler and Preschool Years Syllabus Page 2
 Course Topics and Required Readings:  
Date  Topics   Required Readings 
1/12  Introduction to the Course   
How to Think Like a Child Development 
Researcher 
1/19  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day‐ NO CLASS 

1/26  Physical and Motor Development:   J. P. Shonkoff & D. A. Phillips (Eds.). (2000). Acquiring self‐

  Maintaining the Health and Well‐being of  regulation. In Neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early 
Young Children   childhood development. (pp. 93‐103 only). Washington D.C.: 
  National Academy Press. (e‐book and course reserves) 
Berk, L. E. (2008). Physical development in early childhood. In Infants 
and children (6th ed, pp. 293‐319). Boston: Pearson.  
2/2  Language and Thought During Early  Berk, L. E. (2008). Language development. In Infants and children: 
Childhood   Prenatal through middle childhood (6th ed, pp. 355‐361). Boston: 
  Pearson. 
Marcus, G. F. (1996). Why do children say “breaked”? Current 
Directions in Psychological Science, 5, 81‐85.  
DeLoache, J. S. (1987). Rapid change in the symbolic functioning of 
very young children. Science, 238, 1556‐1557. 

2/9  Post‐Piagetian Research and Theory:  Denham (1991). Teaching thinking skills: The “what” and “how” of 

Focus on Memory and Early Academic Skill  young children’s thinking. Early Child Development and Care, 
Development     71, 35‐44.  
J. P. Shonkoff & D. A. Phillips (Eds.). (2000). Acquiring self‐
regulation. In Neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early 
childhood development. (pp. 115‐123 only). Washington D.C.: 
National Academy Press. 
Pratt, M. W., Kerig, P., Cowan, P. A., & Cowan, C. P. (1988). Mothers 
and fathers teaching 3‐year‐olds: Authoritative parenting 
and adult scaffolding of young children’s learning. 
Developmental Psychology, 24, 832‐839. 
Nelson, K. (1993). The psychological and social origins of 
autobiographical memory. Psychological Science, 4, 60‐67. 
2/16  Thinking about and Engaging in the Social  Barr (2006). Social understanding in a social context. In K. McCartney 
World  & D. Phillips (Eds). Blackwell handbook of early childhood 
development (pp. 188‐207). Blackwell.  
Gleason, T. R., Sebanc, A. M., & Hartup, W. W. (2000). Imaginary 
companions of preschool children. Developmental Psychology, 
36, 419‐428. 
2/23  Exam #1 
3/2  Psychosocial Development: Temperament  Ross, A. T. (1999). The individual child: Temperament, emotion, self, 
  and the Developing Self   and personality.  In M. H. Bornstein & M. E. Lamb (Eds). 
Observation Assignment Distributed  Developmental psychology: An advanced textbook. (4th ed, pp. 
377‐ 409). Mahwah, NJ: Erlabaum.    
Rothbart reading‐ TBA 
Verscueren, K., Marcoen, A. & Buyck, P. (1998). Five year olds’ 
behaviorally presented self‐esteem: Relations to self‐
perceptions and stability across a three‐year period. The 
Journal of Genetic Psychology, 159, 273‐279.  

Developing Child: Toddler and Preschool Years Syllabus Page 3

3/9  Emotion and Gender Development  J. P. Shonkoff & D. A. Phillips (Eds.). (2000). Acquiring self‐
  regulation. In Neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early 
childhood development. (pp.104‐115 only). Washington D.C.: 
National Academy Press. (e‐book and course reserves) 
Kieras, J. E., Tobin, R., Graziano, W., & Rothbart, M. K. (2005). You 
can’t always get what you want. Psychological Science, 16, 391‐
396.  
Ruble, D., Taylor, L., Cyphers, L., Greulich, F., Lurye, L., & Shrout, P. 
(2007). The role of gender constancy in early gender 
development. Child Development, 78, 1121‐1136.  
3/16  Spring Break – NO CLASS 
3/23  Moral Development and Related Behavior   Aksan, N., & Kochanska, G. (2005). Conscience in childhood: Old 
questions, new answers. Developmental Psychology, 41, 506‐
516. 
Crick, N. R., Casas, J. F., & Ku, H. (1999). Relational and physical 
forms of peer victimization in preschool. Developmental 
Psychology, 35, 376‐385.   
Rheingold, H. L. (1982). Little children’s participation in the work of 
adults, a nascent prosocial behavior. Child Development, 53, 
114‐125.  
3/30  More on Psychosocial Development‐ Exam 2 distributed 
4/6  Parent‐Child Relationships    Thompson, R. A. (2000). The legacy of early attachments. Child 
  Development, 71, 145‐152.  
Dixon, W. E. (2003). This is going to hurt you a lot more than it is 
going to hurt me. In Twenty Studies that revolutionized child 
psychology. (pp. 153‐166). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice 
Hall.  
Kazdin, A. E., & Benjet, C. (2003). Spanking children: Evidence and 
issues. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12, 99‐103.  

4/13  Contexts of Early Childhood Development  Readings‐ TBA  

  Observation Paper Due 
4/20  Childcare and Early Childhood Education   J. P. Shonkoff & D. A. Phillips (Eds.). (2000). Growing up in childcare. 
  In Neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood 
development. (pp. 297‐327). Washington D.C.: National 
Academy Press. (e‐book and course reserves) 
Hirsh‐Pasek, K. (1991). Pressure or challenge in preschool?: How 
academic environments affect children. . In L. Rescorla, M. C. 
Hyson, & K. Hirsh‐Pasek (Eds). Academic instruction in early 
childhood: Challenge or pressure? (pp. 39‐46). San Francisco: 
Jossey‐ Bass. 
4/27  Play, Peers, and Friendship   Vandell, D. L., Nenide, L., & Van Winkle, S. (2006). Peer relationships 
    in early childhood. In K. McCartney & D. Phillips (Eds). 
Another Way to Look at Child Development  Blackwell handbook of early childhood development (pp. 455‐470). 
  Blackwell.  
5/4  Exam # 3 (Exam 3 is not a cumulative final exam) 
 
Topics may be rescheduled as needed during the semester. 
Required readings may also be added and/or revised. 
 
 
Developing Child: Toddler and Preschool Years Syllabus Page 4
 
Course Policies: 
 
Attendance:  I cannot provide detailed notes for missed classes. If you miss a class, please get the notes 
from another student.  
 
Make‐up Exams: Make‐up exams will only be given under uncontrollable, special circumstances. Please 
contact me as soon as possible about missing an exam (and only before an exam is given). Make‐up exams 
are different from the exam given on test days and are often more difficult than the regular exam. An 
unexcused missed exam will earn a grade of 0.   
 
Preparing for Class‐ Students are expected to come to class prepared. This means completing the assigned 
readings before class, so that you can ask questions and be prepared for the day’s lecture, discussion or in‐
class exercise. Remember, active participation in this course is part of your grade. Please bring the textbook 
and assigned readings to class.  
 
Quality of Assignments‐ All assignments turned in for this class must be proofread, typed and on‐time!!! 
No exceptions! All assignments will lose one letter grade per day that they are late. Grades will be lowered 
two letter grades if they are not typed. Assignments and exams will not be accepted through e‐mail. 
 
WEBCT and Turnitin.com‐ These are computer resources offered by the university that will be used in 
class. If you do not know how to use or access these programs, please see the course instructor.   
 
Respect for Others in the Class‐ It is expected that students listen to and respect each other’s insights 
during class. During some class sessions, students will be asked to works in groups. It is expected that 
students will work in a collegial manner. Any problems or difficulties should be brought to the course 
instructor for resolution.  
 
Please turn off cell phones and pagers during class meetings, as they can be a distraction to your fellow 
classmates. Please refrain from e‐mailing, messaging or other forms of entertainment during class.  
 

Developing Child: Toddler and Preschool Years Syllabus Page 5

Student Conduct & Discipline
The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules
and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the
responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable
about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities.
General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD
publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each
academic year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the
procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined
and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of
Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student
Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the
Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of
citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as
the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are
subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct
takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed
for such conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic
honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute
integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a
student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic
work.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions
related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the
submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule,
scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism,
collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic
dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and
from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s
policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the
resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is
over 90% effective.
Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of
communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the
same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each
individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email
correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that
faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD
student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence
in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted
information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be
used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information
Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas
mail forwarded to other accounts.
Withdrawal from Class
The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-
level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course
catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility
to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or
withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not
receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once
you are enrolled.
Student Grievance Procedures
Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services
and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.
In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or
other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to
make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor,
administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called
“the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for
assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the
Developing Child: Toddler and Preschool Years Syllabus
grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the
respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response
provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School
Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student
may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education,
and the dean will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision
of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals
process will be distributed to all involved parties.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the
Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations.
Incomplete Grade Policy
As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably
missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been
completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the
first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the
course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified
deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.
Disability Services
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational
opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is
located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and
Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.;
and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:
The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)
Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable
adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For
example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape
recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind.
Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a
research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired).
Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in
accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services
such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to
faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs
accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the
professor after class or during office hours.
Religious Holy Days
The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required
activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose
places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code,
Texas Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as
possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The
student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment
within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the
absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and
completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence.
A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period
may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the
purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about
whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed
assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a
ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The
chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of
TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
executive officer or designee.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of
the Professor. 
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