Discover how children grow, learn, and thrive with the Certificate in Child Psychology, designed for parents, educators, and childcare professionals. Starting with core psychological concepts, you’ll explore key debates like nature versus nurture, development stages, and research methods used to study childhood. Gain clear understanding of cause versus correlation, continuous versus stage development, and how reliable children’s verbal reports are in research.
In this online child psychology course, you will explore newborn psychology, temperament origins, and the vital influence of parental wellbeing and father involvement. Learn how infants perceive their environment through sound, smell, and vision, their behavioural states, and effective soothing and bonding strategies that support brain and body development.
As children grow, you’ll study how they learn through cognitive and behavioural perspectives including conditioning and self-regulation, the role of play in learning, and language acquisition. Explore emotional and social development, attachment theories by Freud, Bowlby, and Harlow, and the critical role of secure relationships.
Finally, you will discover moral reasoning, empathy, socialisation influences, intelligence, psychosexual stages, gender identity, and child protection. By the end, you’ll have a deep, research-based understanding and practical knowledge to support children’s wellbeing across all development stages.
Course Structure
Certificate of Child Psychology
Unit 1: Introduction to Child Psychology
- Overview of child psychology
- Key concepts: nature vs nurture, development levels
- Cause vs correlation in psychology
- Continuity vs discontinuity in development
- Research methods: cross-sectional and longitudinal studies
- Reliability of verbal reports from children
Unit 2: The Newborn Infant
- Theories of newborn psychology
- Temperament and its origins (nature vs nurture)
- Parental influences and the perinatal environment
- Emotional development during pregnancy
- Father’s involvement in early child development
Unit 3: Infant Sensation and Perception
- Sensory discrimination: sound, smell, vision
- Infant behavioural states: sleep, crying, activity
- Habituation and soothing techniques
- Depth perception and oral sensitivity
Unit 4: Learning in Childhood
- How children learn: cognitive and behavioural perspectives
- Habituation and vicarious learning
- Classical and operant conditioning
- Reinforcement principles and punishment issues
- Developing learning control and timing consequences
Unit 5: Emotions and Socialisation
- Emotional development in early childhood
- Origins of emotions like smiling and fear
- Attachment theories
- Freud’s psychoanalytic perspective
- Bowlby’s attachment theory
- Harlow’s experimental research
- Social learning approaches
- Role of cognition in attachment
- Child care and early social environments
Unit 6: Cognitive and Language Development
- Piaget’s theory of cognitive development
- Play and learning
- Memory and attention development
- Language acquisition: innate vs learned perspectives
- Speech development and common challenges
Unit 7: Moral and Social Development
- Moral development theories
- Freud’s theory of moral development
- Piaget’s theory of moral development
- Kohlberg’s theory of moral development
- Prosocial and aggressive behaviours
- Development of self-awareness, empathy, perspective-taking
- Socialisation influences: family, peers, school
- Social scripts and pretend play
Unit 8: Intelligence and Sexuality
- Nature vs nurture
- Measuring intelligence and cultural considerations
- Parental influences
- Psychosexual development stages (Freud)
- Gender identity and role development
- Child protection
Study Hours
Estimated duration 40 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Approval and Recognition
Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.
Testimonials
Click to See What Our Students Say
I liked that the assignments were supplied all at once so that I could work at my own pace and I didn’t have to wait for assignments to be marked before I moved on to the next unit.
S. Denney Coolbellup, Western Australia | Certificate of Child Psychology
It was a nice experience. Doing the assignments was difficult but helpful for my improvement.
M. Young Lee, Yokine, WA | Certificate of Child Psychology
As always enjoyed my course. Have completed a number of courses with Australian Online Courses and have never been disappointed.
T.Koroi, Burra, SÁ | Certificate of Child Psychology
I have two young children at home, and I work part time, the option to study when I could whenever I could was great! I enrolled in my course whilst there was a special running however I knew I wasn’t able to start straight away, with Australian Online Courses that didn’t matter as I was able to complete it at my own pace anyway.
M. Reynolds, Baldivis,WA | Certificate of Child Psychology
Everything was easy to access and I was able to access help when I needed it, with prompt replies.
Kerrie | Narangba, QLD | Certificate of Child Psychology
It was a very informative course, with easy-to-understand language and explanations. I feel confident with the received knowledge. And would highly recommend Australian courses to all.
Divya | Bangalore, India | Certificate of Child Psychology
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional development for those working in, or aspiring to work in:
- Youth work
- Child and adolescent counselling
- School counselling
- Teaching, teacher aides & school employees
- Child psychology
- Social work
- Child care
- Children’s services
- Medical and health professions
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