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Utrecht University

Understanding child development: from synapse to society

In this course, we dive into the topic of child development. You will learn that child development is complex and is influenced by a surprisingly rich number of factors at many different levels of organization. You will see that development can be studied in various domains and at various levels of understanding, from different angles and disciplines. Importantly, you will come to understand that processes within and between the various domains and levels of organization continuously interact to shape development. This implies that understanding development requires taking an interdisciplinary approach. In order to help you organize your thinking about this complexity you will learn more about the developmental systems approach and theories related to that. We will look, amongst other things, at the brain and motor development, cognitive, language and social-emotional development and all the factors that have an influence on development. To illustrate how an interdisciplinary approach helps to understand child development you will see how researchers from various disciplines and backgrounds study child development at Utrecht University. These scientists will give a look in their field of knowledge and their collaboration with colleagues, to illustrate how the theory you will learn translates to practice. In sum, we invite you to follow us on a journey to understand child development from synapse to society!

Status: Empathy & Emotional Intelligence
Status: Pediatrics
BeginnerCourse28 hours

Featured reviews

RM

5.0Reviewed Oct 14, 2018

I have absolutely loved this course. Challenging but accessible. Every week has been engaging. I enjoyed the variety of research papers, video lectures and interviews.

MM

5.0Reviewed Nov 4, 2022

I enjoyed this course. Despite my difficulties that really did not get resolved, I really am glad I took this course.

JM

5.0Reviewed Feb 10, 2026

Helped gain a well educated understanding of childhood development and all aspects that form part of it.

VN

5.0Reviewed Mar 18, 2021

This was an amazing time for me learning about child development . Really an eye opener to aquire more knowledge about children , their behavior and just how they see the world .

RS

5.0Reviewed Nov 29, 2020

THE undestanding child development :from synapse to society is very help its too good also Thank you for your wonderful course

AP

5.0Reviewed Mar 7, 2026

It's actually a good course to understand development itis very helpful but I don't get my cirtificate after completing this course

HZ

5.0Reviewed May 18, 2022

This course was amazing for me. this give good understading about chid development which is so useful for my scientific activity and proffessional life. thanks.

RR

5.0Reviewed Feb 20, 2020

excellent explanation of the subject. But....... not at all easy... if you want to choose this one, you should be ready to spend more time than prescribed... surely...HAD FUN LEARNING

CM

5.0Reviewed Aug 3, 2023

Excellent foundation class to understanding our growth from from a single fertilized cell into a fully formed and social human.

CC

5.0Reviewed Dec 4, 2022

The information is relatable and well disseminated. The assignments are refreshing and keep you engaged. Thank you for this opportunity. Keep up the great work!

YS

5.0Reviewed Dec 8, 2022

Fantastic opportunity to summerize information on the Development of a child, the basic and an introduction on the topic.

ML

5.0Reviewed Mar 12, 2022

A brief yet comprehensive course for child development. Really helped me understand the frameworks and critical aspects of child development.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 172

Irina Solanich
3.0
Reviewed Apr 4, 2019
Zahra Tahmasebi
1.0
Reviewed Feb 22, 2020
Avigail Corner
1.0
Reviewed May 13, 2020
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4.0
Reviewed Mar 18, 2019
Rose Fawbert Mills
5.0
Reviewed Oct 14, 2018
Sylvana Charissa van Zweeden
3.0
Reviewed Jan 27, 2020
Thomas Gennen
5.0
Reviewed Jun 6, 2020
ratnakar remalli
5.0
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Reviewed Mar 18, 2021
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5.0
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5.0
Reviewed May 7, 2018
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Reviewed Mar 1, 2018
Ramila Gabibova
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Reviewed May 12, 2020
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Reviewed Jun 1, 2020
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5.0
Reviewed Sep 28, 2019
Khadija Oum Ayman
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Eva
5.0
Reviewed Sep 14, 2018
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5.0
Reviewed Jun 7, 2020
jorge enrique ramirez gallardo
5.0
Reviewed Mar 20, 2019