If you are interested in child psychology and thinking about a career in that field, it is important to do your research. Understanding what child psychology is, the requirements and job opportunities make it easier to decide if this is the career for you!
What Is Child Psychology And Why Is It Important?
If you are looking to go into the field of child psychology, then understanding exactly what child psychology is and why we study it should be your first step.
What Is Child Psychology
Child psychology is an area of psychology that focuses on the psychological growth of children from birth, up until adulthood and why it is different from adults.
Child Psychology Behavior And Development
The study of child psychology focuses on a child’s development and behavior as well as the techniques on how to best navigate these.
Topics include developmental milestones such as walking for the first time or starting to talk. It also covers behavioral concerns such as learning disorders or mental and emotional disorders like ADHD, Anxiety, PTSD, Dyslexia, etc.
How Important Is Child Psychology?
Child psychology is a very important section of childcare. It gives us an idea of how children’s minds work and how best to support each child. It gives us the tools to help create an effective learning and support system that helps their growth and development into adulthood.
Why Do People Take Child Psychology?
There are many reasons why people decide to take child psychology. Those who have a love for children and are passionate about creating methods and techniques to best support children throughout their different life stages are drawn to this career.
Studying Child Psychology
Getting a child psychology qualification is the first step toward a rewarding career in the field. Finding the right qualification may seem like a scary task but don’t worry, we cover everything you need to know to make the best decision.
Child Psychology Courses
These courses are designed to give you the knowledge, skills, and techniques to best support and help children throughout their growth and development. At Skills Academy, we offer three different child psychology courses to choose from:
- Child Psychology Short Course
- Child Psychology Certificate Course
- Child Psychology Comprehensive Course
What Is The Aim Of Child Psychology?
Our courses offer different levels of qualifications, from the basics to everything you need to know on how to effectively support children.
The best part is that these courses don’t build on each other. This means that you can do any of our three courses without needing any previous education in this field.
Here is a more extensive look at what each of our courses has to offer.
Child Psychology Short Course
| Subject | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Introduction To Business English | This course aims to make you more confident in your speaking and writing abilities |
| Communicating With Children | Learn how to listen attentively and acknowledge children's feelings. This will help with building a better relationship with the children. |
| Learning Psychology | Explore all the temperaments, traits, and conditions of those young minds for better and more effective learning. |
Child Psychology Certificate Course
This course includes subjects offered in the short course plus the ones below:
| Subject | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Child Development | Learn about the ages that are the most important when it comes to growth and learning, diversity in early childhood, inclusion, special needs, and more. |
| First Aid Concepts | This subject will teach you about elementary human anatomical structures, how to perform appropriate first aid procedures, medical-legal implications, and principles of First Aid. |
Child Psychology Comprehensive Course
This course includes subjects offered in the certificate course plus the ones below:
| Subject | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Telephone Courtesy And Customer Service | Explore telephone etiquette and customer service. Learn how to answer the phone in a professional manner and understand what customers need. |
| Time Management | Learn how to organize your time and how to create daily schedules to ensure you meet deadlines. |
Where Can I Study Child Psychology?
At Skills Academy, all of our courses can be done via distance learning, making it that much more accessible. If you are looking for more options for places to study, both Matric College and Bellview Institute Of Distance Learning also offer child psychology courses.
Course Requirements And Duration
Choosing to study a child psychology course is a big decision and the best way to make that decision is knowing as much as you can about the course, such as the course requirements and duration.
What Are The Requirements For Studying Psychology?
At Skills Academy, we try to make our courses as accessible as possible, which is why our course requirements are kept to a minimum.
Entry Requirements
The only requirements needed to qualify for these courses are:
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Be able to read, write, and understand English
- Be able to study via distance learning
Can I Study Child Psychology Without Matric?
Yes! A matric certificate is not required to study child psychology at Skills Academy.
How Long Does It Take To Study Child Psychology In South Africa?
The duration of your studies depends on what course/s you decide to study. Each of our child psychology courses has varying durations.
- Child Psychology Short Course- 4 Months
- Child Psychology Certificate Course- 8 Months
- Child Psychology Comprehensive Course- 12 Months
Career Opportunities
Not only is a career in child psychology incredibly rewarding, but it also is a job that is in demand. Getting the right qualifications opens up many doors to make a positive impact on a child’s life.
Child Psychology Jobs
Let’s take a look at all the job opportunities a Skills Academy qualification offers you:
- Nanny
- Au Pair
- Child Counselor
- Creche Teacher
Nanny
Completing our child psychology comprehensive course will give you all the knowledge and skills to be able to become a nanny with your new qualifications.
Au Pair
Although similar to a nanny, being an au pair is a more hands-on job with a lot more responsibility. Having a child psychology course on your CV can make you that much more employable
Child Counselor
Child counselors work with younger clients and help with their mental, social, and psychological issues. You will use therapy, counseling, and other methods to help children to improve their emotional and mental well-being.
Creche Teacher
After completing a child psychology course, you will have the qualifications to be able to start a job as a creche teacher.
How Much Does A Child Psychologist Earn In Rands?
According to Indeed, the average salary for a Clinical Psychologist is R 26,550 per month in South Africa. This can vary depending on the area and establishment you will be working in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the risk factors that can affect child development are low birth weight, malnutrition, unsafe drinking water and food, and poor hygienic practices.
While both focus on the mental, emotional, and social aspects of their clients, child psychology is specific to the mental, emotional, and social development of children as it is different from adults.
