This course examines research on the psychological foundations of early development and relates those foundations to programs and policy in the preschool and primary years. The course follows an ecological framework beginning with child and family factors that affect development (brain development, coping and competence) then moves to relationships among families and services (child care, school) and finally considers broad factors such as adversity, resilience, culture and policy. Young children's physical, cognitive, communicative, social and emotional development are explored as contributors to and consequences of early learning.