Free Online Child Psychology Courses

1. Diploma in Child Psychology

A very popular course, this is a great all-rounder that covers a lot of foundational ground such as childhood development, communication difficulties and behavioural signs of neglect.

2. Applied Behavioural Analysis

If you want to work with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this course on ABA explains how it will improve their cognitive and visuospatial skills.

3. Principles of Childhood Development

In order to properly understand children, you need to know about their developmental stages and milestones, including phases of speech and emotional growth.

The obvious role is a child psychologist in a state institution or private practice. This is a career that is both fulfilling and demanding as you will help children in adverse circumstances or who face significant challenges. You will also likely need qualifications specific to your country especially if there are laws that cover the care of children.

But that is not the only road open to you. A child psychology qualification can help supplement other credentials and propel you up the career ladder faster. These include:

• Nursery, kindergarten or preschool teacher
• Primary or elementary school teacher
• Au pair or nanny
• Paediatric nurse
• Play or art therapist
• School counsellor

Parents or guardians may also find a course in child psychology useful if you want to be a better parent or understand a child’s condition in more depth so you can help them cope.

Alison has a large number of other free child psychology courses. Some options for you to consider are:

1. Child Psychology and Developmental Science

This comprehensive course looks at attachment styles, gender roles and what morality, altruism and aggression mean when it comes to early childhood development or ECD.

2. The Physical Demands of Early Childhood

Development isn’t only cognitive and emotional - it is also bodily. This course unpacks the work of prominent psychologists and also looks at the roles nutrition, breastfeeding and exercise play in a child’s maturation.

3. ADHD in Child Development

Diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are becoming more and more common. Learn about subtypes of ADHD, treatment plans and more effective parenting styles.