Child Development

Grow Together

Enhance your knowledge of mental development, individual performance and social behavior as you expand your understanding of the unique needs of children and the diversity of family life.

Children Should Be Seen and Heard

Study how family, society and culture shape learning and influence a child’s growth as an independent and vibrant individual. A degree in child development prepares you for a career promoting the well-being of children and families in education, health care, child advocacy, law and social work.

A required internship gives you the freedom to choose your own path toward a career working with children. Internship sites have ranged from schools and camps to government agencies and behavioral programs like Ready-Set-Connect (RSC), an Applied Behavior Analysis treatment center for children with autism. Completing an internship with RSC means you are also eligible for Registered Behavior Technician credentials.

As a senior, you will research and present a Capstone project that demonstrates your understanding and informed perspectives on child development.

Play While You Learn

Complete your lab hours and apply your knowledge and skills at Windy Hill School, Colby-Sawyer's early childhood laboratory school. You’ll learn firsthand about young children and the environments that support them through course assignments that require you to observe, research, and plan and implement activities. Work-study assignments are also available to further broaden your experience working with young children.