Module: Intellectual Development of the Child

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Intellectual Development of the Child
Module Code	HDE1005 (ITS: HD112)
Faculty	DCU Institute of Education	School	Human Development
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This course explores psychological theory and research relevant to the intellectual development of the child. It draws on a wide range of psychological theories to illuminate students’ understandings of children’s intellectual development from infancy to adolescence. It also introduces students to developmental psychological research and its contribution to policy and practice in areas such as children’s rights, education, healthcare, and the media. It will focus on three key issues pertaining to psychological growth: The origins of human behaviour The pattern of developmental change over time The individual and contextual forces that define and direct child development

Learning Outcomes

1. Draw on a wide range of psychological theories to illuminate their understanding of children’s intellectual development from infancy to adolescence
2. Acquire an understanding of developmental psychological research and its contribution to policy and practice in areas such as children’s rights, education, healthcare, and the media
3. Reflect critically on contested issues in child development in ways that are informed by psychological theory and authoritative up to date research in the psychology of children’s learning and development
4. Integrate significant insights, arguments and perspectives from developmental psychology with learning from other college courses and from their reflection on their own experiences

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	20	No Description
Tutorial	4	No Description
Independent Study	101	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20319	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Maeve Dupont	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	1500 word assignment	30%	Week 9
Formal Examination	2 hour exam	70%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Approaches to research in child development

Infancy, sensation, perception and learning

Language and Communication

Paget’s theory of cognitive development

Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development

Information processing- Attention and Memory

Intelligence and school achievement

Moral Development

Developmental psychopathology

Academic writing and researching skills

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Leman, Bremner, Parke, & Gauvain: 2019, Developmental Psychology, 2nd, McGraw Hill, London,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None