CPS5002 Normal developmental observation
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
CPS5002 Normal developmental observation is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 4 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CPS5002
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After CPS5002
4 units list CPS5002 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Corequisite: Must be enrolled in a postgraduate degree.
Overview
This unit will explore normal development from infancy to adolescence with a focus on experiential learning through observing infants and young children. Based in Psychoanalytic theory, you will explore developmental observations and how to apply them in your clinical and consultative work. Key concepts from attachment theory, developmental psychology, intersubjectivity, neuroscience, and cultural inclusion are considered alongside core psychoanalytic theories.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Bld blk |
Assessment
- Assessment report 1 (1,200 words)WrittenThreshold hurdle20%
- Assessment report 2 (1,200 words)WrittenThreshold hurdle20%
- Weekend workshop presentationPresentation20%
- Essay (2,400 words)WrittenThreshold hurdle40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Evaluate the relevance of observation skills to the understanding of children and adolescents in both therapeutic and consultative work;
- 2
Analyse the nature of links between observation and the developmental theories;
- 3
Monitor and evaluate their own responses to what is observed and critically apply these in their work;
- 4
Critically evaluate their observations in discussion and in written assignments; and
- 5
Integrate Developmental Observation theory, history and principles with observation experiences and their clinical work, demonstrating these processes in accounts of their own learning.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials8.75 hours
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
In this unit there will be 12 hours of teaching and learning activities per week comprising a mix of teacher-directed and self-directed learning, including readings, video resources, online discussions, interactive tutorials, a reflective journal, and written assessments. In addition, students in this Unit will attend and participate in the half day weekend workshop.
For full details of the teaching approach to this unit, please refer to Moodle.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Ms Sarah Anderson
- Unit Coordinators
- Ms Sarah Anderson
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CPS5002?
CPS5002 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after CPS5002?
CPS5002 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 4 units, including CPS5005, CPS5006, CPS5007 and CPS5008.
When is CPS5002 offered?
In 2026, CPS5002 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does CPS5002 have an exam?
No. CPS5002 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.