Program Overview

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Course Details

• CODE: 65475
• ACADEMIC YEAR: 2025/2026
• CREDITS:
  • 2 cfu anno 1 LOGOPEDIA 9282 (L/SNT2) - GENOVA
• SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR: M-PSI/04
• LANGUAGE: Italian
• TEACHING LOCATION:
  • GENOVA
• SEMESTER: 2° Semester
• MODULES: This course is a module of:
  • BASIC CONCEPTES IN SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPY
• TEACHING MATERIALS: AULAWEB

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The principal aims of the course are:

• to provide basic knowledge on typical and atypical linguistic development;
• to give examples of strategies to improve linguistic skills in language delays. Students are expected to know the milestones of linguistic development, with particular reference to early childhood. Moreover, they should be able to recognize the most suitable methods to stimulate linguistic development while respecting the typical characteristics of each age group.

TEACHING METHODS

At present, it is not yet known with certainty whether the course will be held in full or in part in the presence. The course structure and the teaching methods will be the same, even if using the different means available in the classroom or remotely. Before starting the course, the teacher will upload one or more questionnaires on expectations and knowledge on Aulaweb that will serve as a basis for shared reflection and refine the course setting. The course includes theoretical explanations, followed by examples and group discussions. In the second half of the course, the students will practice some strategies after reading texts and watching videos. This activity will be part of the individual preparatory work for the final assessment.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course deals with the following topics:

• How children learn to speak
• The milestones of typical development
• Language difficulties and disorders: developmental characteristics
• The first program of the Drežančić method

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• S. D'Amico, A. Devescovi, Comunicazione e linguaggio nei bambini. Carocci collana Bussole, Roma, Nuova Edizione 2013 (chapters selected by the teacher).
• Basili, C. Lanzara, M. Zanobini, Il metodo Drežančić nei bambini dai primi mesi di vita ai tre anni. Guida all'utilizzo delle prime stimolazioni, dei giochi fonici e dei primi vocaboli, Giunti O.S., Firenze, 2011.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

• PAOLA VITERBORI

Exam Board

• PAOLA VITERBORI (President)
• ANNA MARIA BAGNASCO
• LUCA GUASTINI
• ELISA PELOSIN
• MANUELA MOLLICA (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2021

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available.

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will take place orally

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment will take place through open questions and short answer questions, in order to evaluate the knowledge acquired on typical and atypical development processes. Furthermore, it will be requested to exemplify an intervention strategy in relation to specific difficulties and / or age groups

Exam schedule

• 19/01/2026: 13:30, GENOVA, Orale
• 05/02/2026: 13:30, GENOVA, Orale
• 03/06/2026: 13:30, GENOVA, Orale
• 18/06/2026: 13:30, GENOVA, Orale
• 09/07/2026: 13:30, GENOVA, Orale
• 08/09/2026: 13:30, GENOVA, Orale
• 24/09/2026: 13:30, GENOVA, Orale

FURTHER INFORMATION

All students must visit the Aulaweb page regularly. All information and materials related to this course are exclusively published on this website. Any shifts in lectures timetable or office hours will be announced on Aulaweb. Students with DSA, disability, or other special educational needs are recommended to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course, in order to organize teaching and assessment, taking into account both the class aims and the student's needs and providing suitable compensatory instruments. Thesis requests must be made at students' office hours or by appointment. The thematic areas for the thesis can cover any topic of the course. Students are encouraged to make specific proposals, accompanied by a bibliography.