What is child development?

Child development is the series of changes a child makes from the time they are born until the time they complete adolescence and become young adults. These changes are physical, mental, emotional, and intellectual. While every child develops differently, the ultimate goal at the end of the child development period is for the person to become independent and no longer need their parents or caregivers for survival in society. This involves developing problem-solving skills, learning self-control, understanding how to interact with others, using new speech and language skills, developing fine and gross motor skills, and mastering sensory awareness. Genetics, environmental factors, prenatal events, access to education and various stimuli, a child's learning capacity, and medical diagnoses can all impact child development, both positively and negatively. In the professional world, child development is often divided into three stages: early childhood (birth to around age six), middle childhood (around age six to around age twelve or the start of puberty), and adolescence (around age twelve until around age eighteen). Those who work in the field may specialize in one age group.

Why learn about child development?

Children born today are the key to keeping society running in the future, so understanding child development and supporting those children to ensure they hit their developmental milestones is important to almost every person. Whether you're a parent, a caregiver, or someone who works with children on a professional level, learning about child development helps you make a positive impact. If a child isn't progressing the way he or she should, you can intervene and attempt to correct it. Specific courses, certifications, and degrees may also help you advance your career.

What careers use child development?

Any career that involves children must understand child development on some level. Teachers, educators, and administrators, from preschool through high school, use this information on a daily basis. Those who work in child care, such as daycare workers, nannies, and babysitters use child development. In the medical field, therapists, counselors, pediatricians, and pediatric nurses create a plan of care based on developmental milestones. Other careers include social work, manufacturing and retail of children's products, communications—including those who write and develop children's books and television programs—community service careers, and case managers.

What are the benefits of taking an online Child Development course?

Online Child Development courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Child Development skills. With a wide range of Child Development classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Child Development career skills.

What Child Development courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Child Development, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Child Development Courses - Learn Child Development Online

Explore the Child Development Course Catalog

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Instructional Design MasterTrack® Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Process Improvement, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Systems, Operations Management, Supply Chain Planning, Change Management, Business Operations, Process Analysis, Statistical Process Controls, Instructional Design, Materials Management, Continuous Improvement Process, Education Software and Technology, Process Capability, Learning Management Systems, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Technology Strategies, Solution Design, System Implementation
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months
Universidad de los Andes
Metodologías ágiles de desarrollo de software Certificado MasterTrack®
Skills you'll gain: Test Automation, User Story, Agile Project Management, Software Testing, Security Requirements Analysis, Usability, Android Development, Agile Software Development, Kotlin, Software As A Service, Cloud Applications, Backlogs, Test Data, Continuous Integration, Application Security, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Cloud Computing Architecture, Authorization (Computing), Android Studio, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS)
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Industrial Internet of Things Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Machine Learning Algorithms, Real-Time Operating Systems, Big Data, User Research, User Experience Design, Product Development, User Experience, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, Power Electronics, Verification And Validation, Embedded Software, UI/UX Research, Analytics, Human Computer Interaction, Control Systems, Internet Of Things, User Interface (UI), Embedded Systems, Machine Controls
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
O.P. Jindal Global University
M.A. in International Relations, Security, and Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Diplomacy, Intelligence Collection and Analysis, Surveys, Environmental Laws, Environment, Qualitative Research, Sampling (Statistics), R Programming, Environmental Issue, Political Sciences, Statistical Analysis, Economic Development, International Relations, Cybersecurity, Socioeconomics, Governance, Mitigation, Public Safety and National Security, Social Studies, Social Sciences
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Universidad de los Andes
Maestría en Inteligencia Analítica de Datos
Skills you'll gain: Network Analysis, Data Storytelling, Unsupervised Learning, Deep Learning, Data Visualization, Predictive Modeling, Systems Thinking, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Project Management Life Cycle, Marketing Analytics, Strategic Decision-Making, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Financial Statement Analysis, Simulations, Exploratory Data Analysis, Dashboard, Stakeholder Engagement, Data Cleansing, Operations Research, Natural Language Processing
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of London
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Skills you'll gain: Process Design, Global Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Statistical Analysis, Organizational Change, Process Mapping, Integrated Marketing Communications, Advertising, Innovation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Supply Chain Management, Training and Development, Virtual Teams, Databases, Cost Accounting, International Finance, Research, Branding, Economic Development, Cultural Diversity
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Indian Statistical Institute
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics
Skills you'll gain: Sampling (Statistics), Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Sample Size Determination, Statistical Machine Learning, NumPy, Spatial Data Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Probability, Database Management Systems, Economics, Statistical Modeling, Data Compilation, Statistical Methods, Dimensionality Reduction, Lifelong Learning, Regression Analysis, Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Surveys, Market Data
Postgraduate Diploma · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Science in Management
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Taxation
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Financial Management Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Computer Science (feat. Data Science Track)
Skills you'll gain:
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Value Chain Management Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months