SciTech for Child Development

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course employs an interdisciplinary lens to consider how science and technology play a role in early childhood development (ECD) on a global scale, drawing from neuroscience, developmental psychology, economics, social anthropology, public health, environmental studies, and early learning research. Students will study how young children’s physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, and language development is shaped by interactions with caregivers and communities, health systems, early learning settings, and broader ecological conditions. The course also examines emerging global policy challenges for young children and their families. Students will explore how to mitigate the impacts of environmental pressures – such as air pollution, heat exposure, food insecurity, and climate-related emergencies and displacement –- and delve into the opportunities and risks related to digital technologies, including early learning tools, health monitoring platforms, and exposure to online content.