And if you ever wonder how you could help a troubled child, this course will provide the answers you need.

It's refreshingly free from jargon (unlike most other courses!), and it's more practical in what it teaches. For example, you'll learn:

• How to diagnose problems

• Tips for helping children

• How to communicate with children

Who'll benefit from doing this course?

The course is suitable for anyone who wants to know more about child psychology.

It's especially suitable for people who work with children (or plan to do so). That includes teachers, teaching assistants, childminders, nursery workers and babysitters.

If you're a parent who wants to understand their child or children better, you'll enjoy this course. It will help you become a better parent, and let you raise happier, more balanced and more successful children.

Are there prior requirements for enrolling?

There are no prior requirements for enrolling on this course. You don't need to have previously studied child psychology, or any other course.

What's included in the course fee

• 20 study units
• 5 online tests

For full details of the topics covered, see the Course syllabus

Outcomes of the Course

At the end of the course:

• You'll understand the essentials of child psychology.
• You'll be familiar with the major psychologists and their theories.
• You'll know the key issues in child psychology, including attachment.
• You'll have learnt about aggression, intelligence, parenting styles, stereotyping, and anti-social behaviour.
• You'll understand children's behaviour better, and know how to modify it.
• You'll know how to carry out experiments in child psychology.

How the course works

The course consists of informative text for you to read, which are backed up by online tests which help to check that you've understood the text.

Location

You study the course at home. You don't attend a classroom. This means you can study when it's convenient for you, rather than have to get to classes at places or times you may not be able to get to.

Is there any further reading?

You don't have to do further reading, but you will get more out of the course if you do so.

How this course can help you.

With parents lacking the kind of support they once had from grandparents and neighbours, they're often desperate for answers.

In the absence of a child psychologist, parents turn to teachers, teaching assistants, youth workers, child minders and counsellors.

People in these professions need to understand child psychology. If you work in a area that deals with young people, and you're able to provide solutions to these problems, you'll greatly improve your chances of getting a job, getting promotion or succeeding in self-employment.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, call us on 087 55 10 850 (or +27 65 317 8848 if you're outside South Africa) and we'll answer any queries you might have.

We look forward to helping you succeed.

With best wishes

Kit Sadgrove
Course Director