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Stanford (SCHE): Child Development: Behavior and Mental Health

Gain a practical, science-informed approach toward helping children be happier and healthier, with the tools to handle challenging behavior, encourage social connection, and support mental health.

Gain a practical, science-informed approach toward helping children be happier and healthier, with the tools to handle challenging behavior, encourage social connection, and support mental health.

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This course is offered by , an edX partner
6 weeks
6–8 hours per week
Starts May 1, 2024
Enroll by May 7, 2024
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
6 weeks
6–8 hours per week
Starts May 1, 2024
Enroll by May 7, 2024
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule

About this Course

It’s well known that childhood plays a significant role in the shaping of physically and mentally healthy adults. Positive social, environmental, and behavioral factors can contribute towards a child thriving in later life. However, not all children are the same: each requires a unique approach, and it’s imperative that the role of individual identity development within supportive environments is recognized.

Study child psychology from this important perspective in the Child Development: Behavior and Mental Health online short course, designed by child development experts from the Stanford Center for Health Education (SCHE), part of Stanford Medicine. By capitalizing on each child’s personal interests and motivations, you'll learn to create a space that fosters positive interactions and optimal learning. Over the course of six weeks, you’ll look at practical, science-based approaches to encourage a child’s innate learning abilities, and positive behavioral discipline techniques to prevent and address children acting out. You’ll also explore the impact of parenting and grasp the importance of a child’s social connection with adults and peers. Lastly, the course examines the steps you can take to support a child’s mental health, in order to help them develop in a healthy and happy way.

Professionals who engage with children, either in educational or healthcare contexts, will benefit from this practical, science-informed online course. These individuals will gain the techniques and knowledge to better support a child’s development while working in roles within the medical or healthcare industry, such as physicians, pediatric specialists, therapists, and social workers. Those within child-related occupations, including teachers, parents, caregivers, and school counselors, will have the opportunity to study positive child-rearing approaches and key developmental milestones. All learners will walk away with a clear, in-depth understanding of how to support and encourage a child as they develop — socially, emotionally, and physically.

Course curriculum

Skip Course curriculum

Learn to support a child’s mental health and positive social relationships as you work through the weekly modules of this online short course.

Orientation module: Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1: Diverse drivers of positive development

Module 2: From birth to school — developmental milestones

Module 3: The parenting experience

Module 4: Building peer connections

Module 5: Challenging behavior — what it means and how to respond

Module 6: Supporting child mental health

About the certificate

Examine child development and behavior, and earn an official certificate of completion from Stanford Center for Health Education.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with your digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you digitally upon successful completion of the program, as per the stipulated requirements.

Some facts about the subject

25%

The potential increase in future earnings by adults who received early stimulation interventions as infants and toddlers.

The World Bank (Mar, 2021).

6-10%

The estimated percentage of all children who develop serious emotional or personality problems at some point in their development.

Britannica (Nd). Accessed June 22, 2021.

Why choose GetSmarter?

GetSmarter, an edX partner, delivers career-relevant, fully supported, and expert-led online courses from the world's leading universities and institutions. As an online learning expert with over 15 years' experience, GetSmarter leverages long-standing expertise in market research, data analysis, and business insights to ensure that you gain the skills critical to career growth.