Producers: Coast Learning Systems

Transitions Throughout the Life Span offers an engaging look at human development across the life span, paying particular attention to the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial processes that people experience as they adapt to life circumstances. The twenty-six 30-minute video lessons incorporate videography of biological processes, as well as historical and contemporary research. The course provides students with a chance to observe people during all stages of life and hear from many leading human development experts and medical professionals.

Explores major theories such as psychoanalytic theory, learning theory, behaviorism, and cognitive theory. It also explores the life-span perspective, which considers that development is a lifelong process. Program Topic: Introduction: Theories of Development.

Introduces students to research design and shows how researchers use observational studies and surveys to establish relationships between the variables they study. Program Topic: Developmental Study as a Science.

Explores nature and nurture in development, DNA, genes acting in combination, and the effect that the environment can have on genetic expression. Program Topic: The Beginnings: Heredity and Environment.

Follows an expectant family through the prenatal process to the live birth of their child. Students learn about the three trimesters of pregnancy and the risk factors that influence conception and delivery of a healthy baby. Program Topic: The Beginnings: Prenatal Development and Birth.

Includes discussion by experts of fine and gross motor development and the importance of nutrition and breast milk during the first two years.
Program Topic: The First Two Years: Biosocial Development.

Explores how babies are learning about their world through their senses, by touching, feeling, hearing, and babbling. Language abilities are also discussed. Program Topic: The First Two Years: Cognitive Development.

Includes discussions on temperament, social referencing, and attachment and how these factors shape the emotions and personalities of young children. Program Topic: The First Two Years: Psychosocial Development.