To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide a basic understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues related to the stages of development of a child's learning process in an educational context and to provide a basic knowledge of the risk indicators of difficulties or delays in these processes in preschool and school-aged children.
Specifically, the expected learning outcomes are as follows:
1) knowledge and understanding of the development of the socio-emotional and learning processes, with reference to the main theoretical models and understanding of the role of memory and attention in learning development;
2) the ability to critically take into account the relationship between the characteristics of the child (individual factors, skills, how he/she learns), characteristics of the school environment (education, teaching methods, the class group and the wider school setting) and other contexts in order to determine the developmental processes;
3) the ability to develop a critical understanding of the topics and to use bibliographical sources with autonomy.

Program

The basic mechanisms responsible for the processes of learning in children are considered. It aims to provide knowledge on the main theoretical models that describe the development of reading, writing and calculation, taking into account the role of the mechanisms of memory and attention. The specific prerequisites for preschool children that consent the development of the processes of literacy in primary schools are presented.
Furthermore, the role of context variables in the educational processes at different levels (educational proposals, class groups, school context, family), with reference to the socio-constructivist theoretical perspective are considered, taking into account the interaction between cognitive factors, socio-emotional and motivational processes of learning.
Exploration of the theme of observation and educational planning in cases of potential or actual learning difficulties will also be focused on.

Examination Methods

The exam will consist of a written test. The student will have 2 hours to answer four open questions.
Preparation for exam includes studying the following monograph:

Schaffer, H.R. (2005). Psicologia dello sviluppo: Un'introduzione. Milano: Cortina Editore. (escluso cap. 10 e cap. 2)