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Applied Psychology

Psychological Theories of Child & Adolescent Development

Embark on a journey of discovery and better understand the ways in which children and adolescents think and behave.

R6,470.00

Group of young children relaxing on a tennis court

Duration

8 weeks

Commitment

10 hours weekly study

Start Date

10 August 2026

End Date

4 October 2026

Course Overview

Embark on a journey of discovery and better understand the ways in which children and adolescents think and behave.

The Psychological Theories of Child and Adolescent Development micro-credential explores the critical milestones that shape how children and adolescents view themselves and others.

In this 8-week course, you will learn about the three stages of early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. Explore the development theories of Freud, Erikson, Bowlby, Piaget, Bandura, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, and Maslow.

Learn about relational aspects that impact and influence the behaviour of the adolescent.

What You’ll Learn

Over the course of eight (8) weeks, through videos, readings and discussions, you will explore the following topics:

Week 1: Engage with the developmental theories of Freud, Erikson and Bowlby as they relate to child and adolescent development.

Week 2: Explore the developmental theories of Vygotsky, Bandura, Kohlberg and Maslow as they relate to child and adolescent development.

Week 3: Look at significant developmental milestones of early childhood.

Week 4: Learn about significant developmental milestones of middle childhood.

Week 5: Investigate the physical, cognitive, and moral development aspects of adolescence as well as psychosocial conflicts that occur over this developmental period.

Week 6: Introduction to relational aspects of adolescence that impact and influence the behaviour of the adolescent.

Week 7: Explore a range of contextual factors that impact child and adolescent development.

Week 8: Summative Assessment Case study. Complete and submit a summative assessment in the form of a Case study.

Course Outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

Discuss child and adolescent development theories of Freud, Erikson, Bowlby, Piaget, Bandura, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, and Maslow.
Explain significant developmental milestones that distinguish early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence.
Identify social and emotional/psychological changes which take place across these three developmental stages.
Contextualise child and adolescent development through parenting styles and family influences.
Describe the significance of Bronfenbrenner’s socio-ecological systems theory for child and adolescent development.

Learner Experience

Tshepang Tsotetsi

"The online course really helped me look at my kids and their behaviour from another perspective. I learnt a lot and enhanced my parenting skills. I also work with children and I feel better equipped to approach and deal with them."

Eveshani Pillay

"I had a great learning experience! This was my second online course with SACAP Global and I look forward to building new skills and enhancing my knowledge."

Nolusindiso Danga-Kobese

"The learning experience exceeded my expectations! The short course offered a lot of reading materials to help me recap when I had a chance. I learned a lot."

Anneke Maria Jansen van Vuuren

"My online learning experience was eye-opening. I gained deep insights into theories by Erikson, Piaget, and Vygotsky, and explored how culture, family, and peers influence development. The interactive elements and case studies made complex concepts engaging and practical, enhancing my understanding."

Teagan Rutherford

"This course has been very insightful, offering valuable perspectives on the key psychological frameworks shaping young minds. It has helped me understand how the various developmental stages impact behaviour and growth. I highly recommend this course!"

Natalie Hayes

''The learning experience was wonderful and very insightful. The possibility for a deeper understanding of the topic was great.''

Ajida Wailes

''I had a great learning experiencing and really enjoyed the course content.''

Certification

Upon completion, you will receive a digital certificate of competence and badge. Your certificate and badge can be shared on 100+ social media platforms, allowing you to share your achievement with a single click.

Credential Type

The OpenLearning team has reviewed this course to ensure quality academic learning within the Malaysian and Australian credentialing framework.

An OpenLearning OpenCred is a type of credential that can stand-alone, or interact with a formal qualification. OpenCred courses are market-leading online courses that prepare learners for the future of work.

This course has been designed and developed by experts in the field of psychology. The Psychological Theories of Child and Adolescent Development micro-credential is for anyone needing to upskill in this area and offers 80 hours of learning and assessment.

Learners study online with peers and receive robust academic content while acquiring practical industry-relevant skills.

OpenCreds

Completing this course leads to obtaining an OpenCred.

80 hours of learning
OpenCred classification: Pathway

Stackable Credentials

Stack specified combinations of micro-credentials and they can be recognised as equivalent to a module within the Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degree at SACAP. Psychological Theories of Child & Adolescent Development can be stacked with Counselling Children & Youth, and if you meet the minimum entrance criteria, you can enrol for the Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degree and apply for module exemption.

Dates

Class of 2026 August: 10 August – 4 October
Class of 2026 September: 7 September – 1 November
Class of 2026 October: 12 October – 6 December

There are no online classes. Course content is released on a weekly basis allowing you to work through the course material, and meet weekly targets, at a time that is most convenient to you.

Course highlights

young children running around and smiling

Evaluate critical developmental milestones in child and adolescent development.
Learn about early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.
Understand core principles that inform the way children and youth think and behave.

FAQs

What are the entry requirements?

Anyone 18 years of age or older can sign up for this micro-credential course. There are no academic entry requirements or conditions.

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone interested in understanding the ways that children and adolescents think and behave, and is particularly valuable for parents, teachers, and those who work and engage with children and youth.

What is the time commitment?

A total of 80 hours is required to complete the micro-credential course. An average of 10 hours weekly over 8 weeks.

What do you need to do the course?

Access to Microsoft Word
Google Chrome (recommended)
Stable internet connection

Is the course accredited?

The micro-credential course is not accredited and non-credit bearing.

What is childhood development?

Early childhood development is a critical window, as it can impact a person’s later development as an adult. While it is never too late to learn, focusing on providing optimal parenting and development can help improve a child’s chances of living a healthy and fulfilling life. Read more here.

The Team

The SACAP Global team brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience across various disciplines. Our expert short course developers and dedicated support team are passionate about sharing their insights to help you get the most out of your online learning journey.