The 
child development courses listed in this article address the topic from 
sociological, psychological and parenting perspectives. All of these 
free courses are available in an OpenCourseWare (OCW) format.
				
These free online child development courses are offered by Utah State
 University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the 
University of Notre Dame. The OCW project involves many universities 
around the world and makes prior courses available to the general 
public. Many OCW courses use a combination of lectures, slides and 
interactive materials. However, some courses include material that may 
be difficult for a single OCW learner to complete, such as class 
discussions and group projects.
List of Free Online Child Development Courses
This course explores how children develop a cognitive understanding 
of objects and individuals. Lecture notes cover topics such as the 
theory of word learning, object concepts and imaginative play. 
Assignment instructions for critical response papers and a final 
research paper are included.
This course charts how the development of personality from birth 
through adulthood is shaped by groups we belong to, people we know, our 
interactions and the social structures that surround us. OCW users can 
find a list of optional reading assignments on the calendar and readings
 page. Lecture notes are available that contain optional learning 
activities.
The purpose of this course is to give parents and prospective parents
 the tools needed to raise children in a positive environment. The 
course was developed closely with Glen Latham, an author who has written
 numerous books on parenting techniques. There are 27 text-based lessons
 available that cover topics like behavioral development, dealing with 
adolescents and building self-esteem during childhood.
			
 
 but are popular choices among our users. Tuition and costs will vary across programs and
			locations. Be sure to always request tuition information before starting a program.
	
		
		
		
		
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