Educational Objectives: The course aims to provide theoretical and practical tools for observing and assessing socio-emotional development in preschool and early school-aged children, in both typical and atypical trajectories. Participants will learn how to use structured tools for the evaluation of attachment patterns, temperament traits, and emotional and behavioral competencies through guided exercises and case-based discussions. Expected Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, students will be able to apply observational tools and questionnaires for socio-emotional assessment; recognize typical and atypical attachment patterns (secure, insecure, disorganized); analyze temperament traits related to reactivity and high sensitivity; evaluate emotional and social competence in educational and clinical settings; critically discuss methodological implications of the presented tools.
Course Prerequisites
basic knwoledge of developmental psychology
Teaching Methods
Lectures on instruments and core constructs; Small-group practical activities; exercises, role-play, coding; Case discussions, simulations, and video-based tasks.
Assessment Methods
Orale; la valutazione si baserà su: chiarezza, capacità applicativa, riflessione critica.
Texts
Handouts available on KIRO platform
Contents
Module 1 – Emotion Regulation and Relationships Introduction to the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task (MCAST); High sensitivity and temperament reactivity. Module 2, Social competences and Behavioral Problems: Assessment tools for socio-emotional and behavioral problems; Use of observational checklists and teacher/parent reports. Module 3, Emotion Understanding: Assessing emotional comprehension (basic and complex emotions). Educational strategies for supporting emotional competence
