NSC 313
COURSE TITLE: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY AS APPLIED IN NURSING
COURSE CODE: NSC 313
COURSE GUIDE
NSC 313 is a three-credit unit course and a 300 level core course available for
B.NSc. students who wish to develop knowledge and skills in the nursing care of
the child.
This course is designed to expose you to an understanding of the concept and
theories of child development. It will enable you to apply psychological concepts
and theories to the actual care of the of children to help children benefit maximally
from nursing care.
The course consists of twenty- one (21) units under five modules. This course guide
explain to you briefly what the course is about, what course materials you will use
and how you can go through these materials with maximum benefit. Course Aim
The course’s broad objective is to build in you, the ability to understand and apply
developmental psychological principles, concepts and theories as well as that of
nursing in the practice of care for the children in contemporary society.
Course Learning Outcome
In order to achieve the learning outcomes, each unit has specific learning outcome
which are usually stated at the beginning of the unit. You are expected to read these
unit learning outcomes before studying the unit and as you progress in your study of
the unit you are also advised to check these objectives. At the completion of each
unit make sure you review those learning outcomes for self- assessment.
At the end of this course you are expected to meet the comprehensive objectives as
stated below. On successful completion of the course you should be able to:
Explain the term “Developmental Psychology”
Examine the importance of developmental psychology to the nursing practice.
Differentiate the controversies in life span development Discuss the
factors influencing the development of Attitude Discuss the three
basic components of emotion.
Explain the characteristics of an emotionally adjusted person?
Define development as applied to developmental psychology;
Describe development processes
Enumerate and explain the general principles of development.
1
,Describe the process of conception and its significances to child development;
Discuss the stages of pre-natal development Differentiate the
stages of childhood development.
Discuss the characteristics of a toddler.
Describe five reflexes found in a neonate.
Discuss patterns of physical growth.
Explain the term “Individual differences”.
Differentiate the types of individual differences
Discuss the causes of individual differences
Analyze the implication of individual differences in children.
State the determinants of health behavior
Examine ways in which determinants of health are related to development.
Discuss the barriers to accessing health services.
Differentiate the developmental task of elementary grade from that of secondary grade.
Examine the educational significance of Havighurst theory and suggest appropriate role teachers
would play in addressing the developmental issues of the theory.
Discuss the four stages of Kohlberg’s Theory of social developments.
Compare and contrast Kohlberg’s Theory and Piaget’s Theory of moral development.
Examine carefully, the personality issues both before and during the Freudian era pointing out their
educational implications for nursing.
Identify and explain the roles of teachers in aiding the development of children’s personality at the
various stages of development.
Define the term “intelligence”
Differentiate the components of intelligence.
Discuss the four stages of cognitive development according to Piaget’s theory. Describe
ways the teacher can help in promoting intellectual development.
Explain the different phases of language development.
Discuss five factors that affect language development.
Briefly discuss the child’s relationship with peers. Outline
the social learning theory.
Describe the following emotions that are associated with the school children:
(i) Worry
2
,(ii) Love
(iii) Anger
Describe four characteristics of emotional maturity.
Briefly explain four things a teacher can do to make his pupils to be emotionally stable.
Describe the general nature of adolescence;
Explain the traditional practices cherished by some communities in addressing the peculiarities of
adolescents;
Examine the implications of the general nature of adolescents to the classroom teacher;
Design the best practices the various organs of the society would come into address the problems of
adolescents.
Differentiate between the terms “puberty” and “adolescence”;
Discuss the physical changes that occur in boys and girls during the adolescence; • discuss and
explain the meaning of “early” and “late” developers;
Examine the ways Nurses can assist adolescents in coping with the changes occurring in the
adolescence period.
Explain the emotional characteristics of adolescents; and
Discuss the educational implications of adolescent emotions
.
Working through the Course
On completing the course, you are expected to study through the units, the
recommended textbooks and other relevant materials. Each unit has a tutor-marked
assignment which you are required to answer and submit to your facilitator through
your counsellor at the specified time.
Course Materials
The following are the components of this course:
· The Course Guide
· Study Units
· Textbooks
Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAS)
There will be 30 objective question from all the units of the course materials. The
questions will be divided into three tutor marked assignments that will be uploaded to
the NOUN website for you to download and answer and the upload. It is computer
marked. The value is 30% of the total mark.
Final Examination and Grading
The final examination for course NSC313 will be pen-on-paper and has a value of 70% of the
total course grade. The examination Pass mark is 50%.
3
, Facilitation
There are 8 hours of facilitation to support this course material. You will be notified
of the dates, times and locations of these facilitation as well as the names and phone
numbers of your facilitator.
MODULE 1: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY IN NURSING
UNIT ONE: Developmental psychology and its importance to nursing practice
1.1.0 INTRODUCTION: Nursing concentrates entirely on assisting individuals recover from
serious and chronic diseases, while psychology concentrates on dealing with the emotional issues of
individuals. Nurses have to understand the psychology of their patients and help them
psychologically for a rapid restoration. Nurses have to manage patients during severe healthcare
concerns and deal with their emotions and actions. Patients begin to depend on nurses who try to
reduce their emotional stress. It has been seen in many cases that physical sickness results in
emotional interference. At this stage, nurses have to be sympathetic and understanding. Nursing staff
are trained in a manner that they help sufferers psychologically by dealing with the emotional
changes. Psychology in the healthcare industry is trained intentionally. The modern medical literary
works on counseling psychology and clinical psychology helps nurses perform their everyday tasks.
They communicate with sufferers on a regular basis and it is easy for them to recognize the signs of
emotional disruptions compared to other healthcare employees. It guarantees proper care to sufferers
and professional services are given to them. The knowledge of the assumptions about how the child
develops and his/her inherent characteristics which give rise to personality will afford the nurse the
opportunity to guide the parents the on learning processes towards optimal performance of the child..
Psychology has a huge relevance on the nursing practice. Nurses work in a setting where they’re
required to interact with other professionals in an effort to bring the best quality care for their
patients. They need to fully understand how other people behave and act in certain situations – this
is where Psychology comes into play. The definition and importance of developmental psychology
is presented to you.
1.2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this Unit, you should be able to;
Explain the term “Developmental Psychology”
Examine the importance of developmental psychology to the nursing practice.
Differentiate the controversies in life span development
1.3.0 MAIN CONTENT:
1.3.1 PSYCHOLOGY DEFINED:
The word “Psychology” originated from two Greek words-“psyche” and “logos”. The word logos
stand for a rational discourse or a study. The word psyche is interpreted in different ways by
psychologists at various periods. Initially the word psyche was interpreted as ‘soul’, then ‘mind’ and
at later stage as ‘consciousness’. Now psychology is viewed as a science which aims to give us better
understanding and control of the behavior of individuals as a whole. In simple terms, it is a science
of human behavior. A human being is best understood through his behavior.
4
COURSE TITLE: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY AS APPLIED IN NURSING
COURSE CODE: NSC 313
COURSE GUIDE
NSC 313 is a three-credit unit course and a 300 level core course available for
B.NSc. students who wish to develop knowledge and skills in the nursing care of
the child.
This course is designed to expose you to an understanding of the concept and
theories of child development. It will enable you to apply psychological concepts
and theories to the actual care of the of children to help children benefit maximally
from nursing care.
The course consists of twenty- one (21) units under five modules. This course guide
explain to you briefly what the course is about, what course materials you will use
and how you can go through these materials with maximum benefit. Course Aim
The course’s broad objective is to build in you, the ability to understand and apply
developmental psychological principles, concepts and theories as well as that of
nursing in the practice of care for the children in contemporary society.
Course Learning Outcome
In order to achieve the learning outcomes, each unit has specific learning outcome
which are usually stated at the beginning of the unit. You are expected to read these
unit learning outcomes before studying the unit and as you progress in your study of
the unit you are also advised to check these objectives. At the completion of each
unit make sure you review those learning outcomes for self- assessment.
At the end of this course you are expected to meet the comprehensive objectives as
stated below. On successful completion of the course you should be able to:
Explain the term “Developmental Psychology”
Examine the importance of developmental psychology to the nursing practice.
Differentiate the controversies in life span development Discuss the
factors influencing the development of Attitude Discuss the three
basic components of emotion.
Explain the characteristics of an emotionally adjusted person?
Define development as applied to developmental psychology;
Describe development processes
Enumerate and explain the general principles of development.
1
,Describe the process of conception and its significances to child development;
Discuss the stages of pre-natal development Differentiate the
stages of childhood development.
Discuss the characteristics of a toddler.
Describe five reflexes found in a neonate.
Discuss patterns of physical growth.
Explain the term “Individual differences”.
Differentiate the types of individual differences
Discuss the causes of individual differences
Analyze the implication of individual differences in children.
State the determinants of health behavior
Examine ways in which determinants of health are related to development.
Discuss the barriers to accessing health services.
Differentiate the developmental task of elementary grade from that of secondary grade.
Examine the educational significance of Havighurst theory and suggest appropriate role teachers
would play in addressing the developmental issues of the theory.
Discuss the four stages of Kohlberg’s Theory of social developments.
Compare and contrast Kohlberg’s Theory and Piaget’s Theory of moral development.
Examine carefully, the personality issues both before and during the Freudian era pointing out their
educational implications for nursing.
Identify and explain the roles of teachers in aiding the development of children’s personality at the
various stages of development.
Define the term “intelligence”
Differentiate the components of intelligence.
Discuss the four stages of cognitive development according to Piaget’s theory. Describe
ways the teacher can help in promoting intellectual development.
Explain the different phases of language development.
Discuss five factors that affect language development.
Briefly discuss the child’s relationship with peers. Outline
the social learning theory.
Describe the following emotions that are associated with the school children:
(i) Worry
2
,(ii) Love
(iii) Anger
Describe four characteristics of emotional maturity.
Briefly explain four things a teacher can do to make his pupils to be emotionally stable.
Describe the general nature of adolescence;
Explain the traditional practices cherished by some communities in addressing the peculiarities of
adolescents;
Examine the implications of the general nature of adolescents to the classroom teacher;
Design the best practices the various organs of the society would come into address the problems of
adolescents.
Differentiate between the terms “puberty” and “adolescence”;
Discuss the physical changes that occur in boys and girls during the adolescence; • discuss and
explain the meaning of “early” and “late” developers;
Examine the ways Nurses can assist adolescents in coping with the changes occurring in the
adolescence period.
Explain the emotional characteristics of adolescents; and
Discuss the educational implications of adolescent emotions
.
Working through the Course
On completing the course, you are expected to study through the units, the
recommended textbooks and other relevant materials. Each unit has a tutor-marked
assignment which you are required to answer and submit to your facilitator through
your counsellor at the specified time.
Course Materials
The following are the components of this course:
· The Course Guide
· Study Units
· Textbooks
Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAS)
There will be 30 objective question from all the units of the course materials. The
questions will be divided into three tutor marked assignments that will be uploaded to
the NOUN website for you to download and answer and the upload. It is computer
marked. The value is 30% of the total mark.
Final Examination and Grading
The final examination for course NSC313 will be pen-on-paper and has a value of 70% of the
total course grade. The examination Pass mark is 50%.
3
, Facilitation
There are 8 hours of facilitation to support this course material. You will be notified
of the dates, times and locations of these facilitation as well as the names and phone
numbers of your facilitator.
MODULE 1: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY IN NURSING
UNIT ONE: Developmental psychology and its importance to nursing practice
1.1.0 INTRODUCTION: Nursing concentrates entirely on assisting individuals recover from
serious and chronic diseases, while psychology concentrates on dealing with the emotional issues of
individuals. Nurses have to understand the psychology of their patients and help them
psychologically for a rapid restoration. Nurses have to manage patients during severe healthcare
concerns and deal with their emotions and actions. Patients begin to depend on nurses who try to
reduce their emotional stress. It has been seen in many cases that physical sickness results in
emotional interference. At this stage, nurses have to be sympathetic and understanding. Nursing staff
are trained in a manner that they help sufferers psychologically by dealing with the emotional
changes. Psychology in the healthcare industry is trained intentionally. The modern medical literary
works on counseling psychology and clinical psychology helps nurses perform their everyday tasks.
They communicate with sufferers on a regular basis and it is easy for them to recognize the signs of
emotional disruptions compared to other healthcare employees. It guarantees proper care to sufferers
and professional services are given to them. The knowledge of the assumptions about how the child
develops and his/her inherent characteristics which give rise to personality will afford the nurse the
opportunity to guide the parents the on learning processes towards optimal performance of the child..
Psychology has a huge relevance on the nursing practice. Nurses work in a setting where they’re
required to interact with other professionals in an effort to bring the best quality care for their
patients. They need to fully understand how other people behave and act in certain situations – this
is where Psychology comes into play. The definition and importance of developmental psychology
is presented to you.
1.2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this Unit, you should be able to;
Explain the term “Developmental Psychology”
Examine the importance of developmental psychology to the nursing practice.
Differentiate the controversies in life span development
1.3.0 MAIN CONTENT:
1.3.1 PSYCHOLOGY DEFINED:
The word “Psychology” originated from two Greek words-“psyche” and “logos”. The word logos
stand for a rational discourse or a study. The word psyche is interpreted in different ways by
psychologists at various periods. Initially the word psyche was interpreted as ‘soul’, then ‘mind’ and
at later stage as ‘consciousness’. Now psychology is viewed as a science which aims to give us better
understanding and control of the behavior of individuals as a whole. In simple terms, it is a science
of human behavior. A human being is best understood through his behavior.
4
