corso|33575

The course will focus on following topics: main issues in the field of cognitive development related to theore-tical approaches; the nature of the early representations; evolution of thought and reasoning; the role of language in mental development; the development of the theory of the mind; cognitive and social cor-relates of the theory of mind; the role of socio-affective factors in cognitive development; evaluation methods of cognitive development. More specifically the course can be divided into three parts that correspond to the program teaching: (a) how children know the reality around them in the first years of life; relationship between social factors and cognitive development; development of verbal and nonverbal mentalization skills.

The requirements (useful) for a better understanding of teaching content and more effective learning are the key knowledge related to (a) the main theoretical approaches to the study of development and (b) to methods of investigation in developmental psychology.

The examination includes three textbooks: 1. Taylor L. (2007), Lo sviluppo cognitivo, Il Mulino, BO A book to be chosen from the following: 2a. Ornaghi V., Grazzani I. (2020), Lo sviluppo della comprensione sociale nei bambini. Junior Edizioni. 2b. Agliati A., Grazzani I., Ornaghi V. (2015) La socializzazione emotiva nei contesti educativi per l’infanzia. Conversare sulle emozioni al nido. Junior Edizioni 2c. Meins E. (1999) Sicurezza e sviluppo sociale della conoscenza, Cortina, MI (as an alternative to the book, the articles by E. Meins can be downloaded from the moodle page of the course) A book to be chosen from the following: 3a. Lecce S., Pagnin A. (2007) Il lessico psicologico, Il Mulino, BO 3b. Belacchi C., Benelli B. (2007) Il significato delle parole. La competenza definitoria nello sviluppo tipico e atipico, Il Mulino, BO

Attendance recommended.

The method of assessment involve a written exam scheduled at the end of the course. The written exam consists of 3 open questions, and must be completed in one and a half hours. Each questions concerns a part of the examination program corresponding to the three texts indicated respectively. To pass the exam, a score of at least 18 out of 30 needs to be achieved. This score corresponds to a suf-ficient acquisition of the topics covered by the course. The evaluation of 30/30 (cum laude) indicates an excellent knowledge of the course topics.

The course includes lectures that will alternate theoretical presentations of course topics and presentations/discussions of particularly significant researches in the topics covered. Furthermore, videos will be shown regarding the detection and evaluation of verbal and non-verbal skills that may characterize cogniti-ve development in the first years of life.