NPTEL Child Growth & Development Course | Prof. Sharmila Yadav
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 1218 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences, Psychology |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 19 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Fundamentals of How Children Grow and Learn
Understanding the journey of a child from infancy to adolescence is not just fascinating—it's foundational for anyone involved in education, psychology, or childcare. The NPTEL Online Certification course on Child's Growth and Development offers a comprehensive, 12-week deep dive into this critical subject. Designed and delivered by an esteemed academic, this course bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world application, empowering future educators and professionals to make a profound impact.
Why This Course is Essential for Aspiring Educators
A deep understanding of child development is the cornerstone of effective teaching. This course equips you with the knowledge to:
- Tailor Teaching Methods: Adapt your instruction to match the specific cognitive, emotional, and social capabilities of children at different stages.
- Identify Individual Needs: Recognize typical and atypical development patterns to support all learners, including those with disabilities.
- Create Supportive Environments: Understand the crucial roles of family, school, and community in fostering healthy development.
- Implement NEP 2020 Vision: Gain insights into contemporary educational frameworks, including perspectives on multilingualism.
Learn from an Expert: Prof. Sharmila Yadav
Your learning will be guided by a distinguished academic with extensive experience:
- Current Role: Assistant Professor at Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan (A Central University and Institution of National Importance).
- 14+ Years of Experience: Teaching postgraduate students in B.Ed., M.Ed., and M.A. (Education) programs.
- Expertise: Educational Psychology, Special Education, and Inclusive Education.
- Curriculum Developer: Has developed syllabi for Child’s Growth and Development and Psychological Perspectives for Visva-Bharati.
- Research & Guidance: Published numerous papers, guides Ph.D. scholars, and has supervised over 70 M.Ed./M.A. dissertations.
- Leadership: Served as B.Ed. Program Coordinator for multiple academic sessions.
Detailed 12-Week Course Curriculum
The course is meticulously structured to cover every facet of a child's development:
| Week | Topic | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concepts & Stages | Meaning, principles, stages from infancy to adolescence, educational implications. |
| 2 | Physical Development | Changes in body structure, factors like heredity and nutrition. |
| 3 | Motor Development | Gross & fine motor skills, coordination, handedness. |
| 4 | Language Development | Theories by Skinner and Chomsky, milestones, factors. |
| 5 | Language and the Brain | Neurological basis, supporting children with impairments, bilingualism, NEP-2020. |
| 6 | Social Development | Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory, role of home and school. |
| 7 | Emotional Development | Patterns from infancy, socio-cultural influences, role of family. |
| 8 | Moral Development | Theories by Piaget and Kohlberg, role of values and discipline. |
| 9 | Cognitive Development | Piaget’s theory, information processing, teacher's role. |
| 10 | Vygotsky’s Theory | Socio-cultural perspective on cognitive development. |
| 11 | Intelligence & Creativity | Theories, measurement, nurturing creativity in the classroom. |
| 12 | Personality Development | Freud’s theory, social influences, assessment, role of community. |
Who Should Enroll?
- Intended Audience: Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Ph.D. students from Humanities and Social Sciences (Education, Psychology, Sociology).
- Prerequisites: Any undergraduate course. No specific prior knowledge is required, making it accessible to beginners.
- Ideal For: Aspiring teachers, teacher educators, counselors, childcare professionals, and parents seeking a scientific understanding of child development.
Course Recognition and Industry Support
This course holds significant academic value and is recognized by premier institutions. It receives industry support from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, underscoring its relevance and practical application in the field of education and social work.
Essential Reading Materials
To complement the video lectures, the course references authoritative textbooks, including:
- Hurlock, E.B. - Child Development & Developmental Psychology: A Life Span Approach
- Woolfolk, A. & Misra, G. - Fundamentals of Educational Psychology
- Ciccarelli, S.K. & White, N.J. - Psychology
Enroll Today and Shape the Future
The Child's Growth and Development course is more than an academic program; it's an investment in your ability to understand, nurture, and educate future generations. By combining the expert instruction of Prof. Sharmila Yadav with NPTEL's robust online platform, you gain a flexible yet rigorous learning experience that can transform your professional approach.
Take the first step towards becoming a more insightful and effective educator. Enroll in this foundational course and unlock the secrets of how children grow, think, feel, and learn.
Enroll Now →