AP TET Child Development and Pedagogy Syllabus 2026 (Paper-1 & 2)


AP TET Child Development & Pedagogy Syllabus 2026: The Child Development and Pedagogy Subject is covered in all four Papers in AP TET. Here is the Detailed Syllabus Covered for Normal and Special Education. The Child Development and Pedagogy Subject has 30 multiple-choice questions worth 30 Marks. This is a Highly Scorable Subject.

Paper 1 (A): Child Development and Pedagogy

1. Understanding a Child:

A. Constructs of childhood

  • Concept of childhood and its importance.

  • Commonalities and diversities within the notion of childhood

  • Multiple Childhoods in Indian & Global Context

  • Role of Family, School in Socialization

  • Parenting, Family and adult-child relationships

  • Child-rearing practices.

B. Methods and techniques of data collection:

  • Observation, Interviews, Reflective Journals, Anecdotal records and Narratives, Introspection, Experimental method, Questionnaire, Case Study, Rating Scales, Longitudinal and Cross-Cultural Approaches, Action Research in education

C. Perspectives in Development:

  • Concept of Growth, Development and Maturation

  • Principles of development

  • Factors influencing development

  • Developmental milestones & Hazards

  • Branches of Psychology

  • Physical – Motor Development

  • Growth and maturation

  • School culture, relationships with teachers

  • Teacher expectations and School achievement

  • Being out of school, Over-age learner

1. Social Development:

  • Concept and processes of socialization

  • Role of family, peers, school, mass media and culture

  • Role of competition, Cooperation, Discipline, Reward and Punishment Conflict, Aggression and Bullying in Social Development

2. Emotional Development:

  • Basic understanding of emotions, Types and their development

  • Emotional maturity, Emotional quotient, and management of emotions

  • Role of family and school in Emotional Development

3. Language development:

  • Development of speech and language

  • Perspectives in Language Development – Skinner, Bandura and Chomsky

4. Moral Development:

  • Perspectives on various theories of moral development

  • Cultural variations in moral reasoning

5. Play and development:

  • Meaning of play and its functions

  • Types and kinds of play

  • Games and group dynamics: Rules of games and how children learn to negotiate differences and resolve conflict

6. A sense of self:

  • Self-Description, Self-Recognition, Self-Concept, Self-Esteem, Social Comparison, Internalization And Self-Control

D. Cognition and Cognitive Development

  • Cognition meaning, stage-wise cognitive development

  • Developmental factors of Cognition: Perception, Thinking, Attention, Imagination, Problem solving, Reasoning, Meta-cognition, Creativity

  • Individual differences: Intelligence, Nature and theories of intelligence Single Factor Theory, Two Factor Theory, Multifactor Theory, Group Factor Theory, Guildford Model of Intellect, Multiple Intelligences, IQ, Intelligence tests

  • Perspectives on Cognitive Development – Piaget and Vygotsky

  • Concept formation: Meaning of Concept, Concept formation – Bruner, Piaget

  • Processes of Learning Content: Learning Processes among children – How do children learn?

  • Behaviorism – Fundamental concepts and Applications

  • Thought and discrimination: The relation between thought process and learning, Cognition – Learning, Cognition Development, Structuralism – Class room applications

  • Building on children’s existing ideas, Making connections, Making of a meaning, Relationship of concepts, Big ideas, Using graphic organizers and concept maps

  • Experiential learning

E. Personality

  • Meaning, Definition, Characteristics and Elements of Personality

  • Factors influencing personality, Physical and Socio-cultural factors

  • Theories of Personality

  • Assessment of Personality – Projective and non-projective techniques

  • Mental Health, Adjustment, Defence mechanisms, Conflicts, Frustration Stress, Anxiety, Maladjustment, Guidance and counselling

2. Understanding Learning

  • Learning- Meaning, Nature, Types of learning, Learning Curves

  • Contexts of learning: Home, School, and Environment

  • Factors influencing learning: Maturation, Emotions, Learning environment, Motivation, Interests, Aptitude, and Attitude

  • Theories of learning: Trial and Error, Classical conditioning, Operant conditioning, learning by Insight, Social Learning Theory, Bruner’s Theory of Instruction, Constructivism-Piaget, Vygotsky, Reciprocal Teaching, Collaborative Learning, Construction of knowledge-5E Method, Role of Language & a Teacher its Classroom applications

  • Transfer of learning: Meaning, Types and Theories of Learning, Transfer of Learning, Memory and Forgetting.

  • Children with Special Needs: Learning disabilities, Importance of early intervention, IEP, Differentiated learning

  • Creating inclusive learner-friendly environment: Inclusive Education, Importance, Need for multiple resources, Ways and means of adapting to diverse needs, Flexible planning, Classroom management, Inclusive schools

3. Pedagogy:

A. Pedagogy – Conceptions and Perspectives

  • Learner, Knowledge, Learning – Types of Learning – Concept & Nature, Child’s abilities before coming to school and its implications. Concept of Curriculum and its Components, Schooling: Inter-linkages and relationships

  • Critical examination of terminologies and notions associated with child-centered education such as Activity-based learning, Joyful learning, etc.

  • Critical understanding of various methods and approaches of teaching-learning, facilitating learning, Teacher as reflective practitioner, Collaborative and Cooperative learning

B. Pedagogy – Resources and Practices

  • Critical Pedagogy – Concept, Necessity, and Applications in Teaching-Learning process

  • Reflections on school of thought and theories: Gijubhai, A.S. Neill – Summer hill School, Totto-chan Tomoe School, Makarenko, John Holt, Paulo Freire, Jean Piaget, Bruner, Vygotsky and other Educationalists

  • Inclusive and Special Practices

  • Pedagogy – Resource Management

  • Range of physical resources and objects: Digital resources; Films and media etc.

  • Connecting Children’s Pre-school Knowledge with School Subjects

  • Classroom organization and management: Changing pedagogies and Classroom management

  • Assessment, Evaluation-types, Tools of assessment, CCE

  • Analysis and interpretation of learner’s data using various statistical measures and graphs for assessment and evaluation

  • Latest educational policies and Acts of government (State, Nation) such as Child Right Act, RTI Act, RTE Act, NCF 2005, APSCF 2011, NEP 2020, National Curriculum Framework for School Education NCFSE-2023 etc.

II. ICT (Information & Communication Technology)

A. ICT Fundamentals

  • Core Concepts: Understanding ICT, computer hardware, software, input, output devices, the internet, and netiquette. etc.

  • Content Creation: Content development in various formats (text, documents, presentations, spreadsheets etc.) and explore Open Educational Resources (OERS).

  • ICT Policies & Learning

  • Policies: Key features of National and State-level ICT policies

  • Learning Processes: Utilize ICT to create effective learning environments and support pedagogical practices, including educational games, puzzles, Quizzes, etc.

B. ICT Resources & Integration

  • Resource Exploration: Explore various hardware (CD/DVD, Projectors, Interactive boards) and software (audio, video, multimedia, editing) in a computer lab setting.

  • Web & Media: Usage of web applications, the Internet, Animations, and Simulations etc.

  • Evaluation & Adoption: Evaluate and adopt suitable ICT resources for educational purposes

  • Pedagogical Integration: Content analysis and methods to map them with appropriate ICTs, alternatives, and organization of classrooms for integrated lessons

  • Assessment & Professional Development: Integrate ICT into assessment methods and tools and professional development

  • Cyber security & Tools: Cyber law, Security, Freeware, Snippets, and Multimedia utilities.

  • Social Media: Importance of social media in learning

  • Teacher Development: Usage of online courses and connected groups like subject forums for Continuous Professional Development

  • Educational Software: Educational software like Canva, Tutor, Moodle etc.

  • Open Platforms: Utilization of Open Educational Resources and different ICT platforms like MOOCs, DIKSHA etc.

PAPER-I (B) Child Development and pedagogy (in Special Education)

1. CHILD DEVELOPMENT:

  • Nature of Child development

  • Principles and approaches of growth and development

  • Theories of learning

  • Methods of child study

  • Individual differences

2. PEDAGOGY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

  • Characteristics and educational needs of Children with Special Needs

  • Types and approaches to assessment of Children with Special Needs

  • Statistical Analysis of Student Assessment data

  • Curriculum Development and Curricular adaptations

  • Concept of Individual Educational Plan and Individualized Family Services Plan

  • Teaching strategies for Children with Special Needs

  • Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

3. EDUCATION COMMISSIONS AND POLICIES (SCHOOL EDUCATION)

  • Constitutional provisions on education that reflect National Ideals: Equality, liberty, secularism, and social justice

  • National Commissions and Policies: Education Commission (1964), NPE and POA (1986, 1992), National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (2006), NCF-2005, RTE-2010, APSCF-2011, National Education Policy 2020, NCFPE-2022, NCFSE-2023

  • National Acts: RCI Act, 1992, PWD Act, 1995, NT Act, 1999, RTE Act (2009 & 2012), RPWD Act 2016

  • Programmes and Schemes: IEDC (1974, 1983), SSA (2000, 2011), RMSA, 2009, IEDSS, 2009

  • International Conventions and Policies: Salamanca Declaration and Framework, 1994; UNCRPD, 2006; MDG, 2015; INCHEON strategies

  • New trends and strategies in implementing inclusive education for CWSN

4. ICT (Information & Communication Technology)

A. ICT Fundamentals

  • Core Concepts: Understanding ICT, computer hardware, software, input, output devices, the internet, and netiquette. etc.

  • Content Creation: Content development in various formats (text, documents, presentations, spreadsheets etc.) and explore Open Educational Resources (OERS).

  • ICT Policies & Learning

    • Policies: Key features of National and State-level ICT policies

    • Learning Processes: Utilize ICT to create effective learning environments and support pedagogical practices, including educational games, puzzles, Quizzes, etc.

B. ICT Resources & Integration

  • Resource Exploration: Explore various hardware (CD/DVD, Projectors, Interactive boards) and software (audio, video, multimedia, editing) in a computer lab setting.

  • Web & Media: Usage of web applications, the Internet, Animations, and Simulations etc.

  • Evaluation & Adoption: Evaluate and adopt suitable ICT resources for educational purposes.

  • Pedagogical Integration: content analysis and methods to map them with appropriate ICTs, alternatives, and organization of classrooms for integrated lessons.

C. Assessment & Professional Development

  • Assessment: Integrate ICT into assessment methods and tools.

  • Cyber security & Tools: Cyber law, Security, Freeware, Snippets, and Multimedia utilities.

  • Social Media: Importance of social media in learning.

  • Teacher Development: Usage of online courses and connected groups like subject forums for Continuous Professional Development.

  • Educational Software: Educational software like Canva, Tutor, and Moodle.

  • Open Platforms: Utilization of Open Educational Resources and different ICT platforms like MOOCs, DIKSHA etc.

Paper 2 (A): Child Development and Pedagogy

1. Development, Growth and Maturation

  • Approaches to Human Development

  • 1.1 Concept of Growth, Development, and Maturation

  • 1.2 Principles of Development

  • 1.3 Stages of Growth and Development (Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence),

  • 1.4 Dimensions of Growth and Development (Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, Social, Moral, Language)

  • 1.5 Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Approaches to Understanding Development

2. Theories of Development

  • 2.1 Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory

  • 2.2 Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory

  • 2.3 Kohlberg’s Moral Development Theory

  • 2.4 Freud’s Psychosexual Development Theory

  • 2.5 Goleman’s Emotional Development Theory

3. Childhood as a Period of Socialization

  • 3.1 Characteristics and Developmental Tasks of Childhood

  • 3.2 Physical, Cognitive, Social, Emotional, Moral, and Language Development in Childhood

  • 3.3 The Child in Different Socio-Cultural Contexts

  • 3.4 The Process of Socialization – Conflict Resolution and Social Development

  • 3.5 Stages of Social Development – Isolated Play, Parallel Play, and Social Play; Characteristics of Socially Mature Individuals

4. Adolescence as a Period of Transition

  • 4.1 Characteristics and Needs of Adolescence

  • 4.2 The Origins of Problems During Adolescence Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, Social, Moral, and Language Development

  • 4.3 Adolescent Groups – Gangs

  • 4.4 Adjustment Mechanisms with a Focus on Defense Mechanisms and Holistic Development

  • 4.5 Leadership: Types of Leadership, Development of Leadership Qualities in Adolescents, and Educational Implications

5. Individual Differences

  • 5.1 Dimensions of Individual Differences Cognitive Abilities, Thinking, Imagination, Reasoning, Problem solving, Interests, Attitude, Personality, Aptitude, Creativity, Personality, Needs and Values

  • 5.2 Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences – Implications for Understanding Differences in Children and other theories of Intelligence

  • 5.3 Differences among children based on Learning Styles and Socio-Cultural Context (Home Language vs. Instructional Language)

  • 5.4 Individual Differences in Cognitive Abilities – Learning Difficulties, Slow Learners, Intellectually Challenged, Intellectually Gifted-Implications for addressing Individual Variations from a ‘Differences’ rather than ‘Deficits’ perspective

  • 5.5 Encouraging Creativity in Children

6. Understanding Learning

Process of Learning

  • Concept of learning, types of learning and factors influencing, Learning curves

  • Learning process: Attention, sensation, perception, and concept formation

  • Memory & forgetting: concept, types of memory, applicability to learning and strategies for better management of memory, Retention

  • Transfer of learning: concept, theories and types( Horizontal and Vertical)

  • Role of motivation in learning; methods of improving motivation

Behaviourist Perspectives of Learning

  • Trial and error – Thorndike, Laws of learning, concept and principles and classroom implications

  • Classical Conditioning – Pavlov, concept and principles and classroom implications

  • Operant Conditioning – Skinner, concept and principles and classroom implications

  • Compare these perspectives in terms of their merits and applicability to classroom learning

Cognitive and Humanist Perspectives of Learning

  • Cognitive perspectives of learning (Insight learning – Kohler, Discovery learning – Bruner, Developmental theory of learning – Piaget, Social Learning Bandura, Constructivism Vygotsky)

  • Humanist perspectives of learning (Learner centered approach – Rogers)

7. Pedagogical concerns:

Teaching Process:

  • Concept of teaching, teaching as a profession and teacher as a professional, teaching as an art and science, Distinction between Instruction, training and teaching, Phases of teaching: planning, execution and reflection, Role of teacher in teaching learning process: teacher as a model, facilitator, negotiator, co-learner, reflective practitioner and classroom researcher, Functions of a teacher in classroom, school and community

Learning Environment and Learning Engagement

  • Meaning of learning environment and learning engagement

  • Creating positive and productive environment for learning – creation of emotionally safe learning environment to increase learning

  • Role of culture in the educative process, creating culturally responsive learning environment, create cultural congruity between home and school

  • Assisted performance, supervised discussion and reciprocal teaching as strategies to enhance motivation and learning

Classroom Organization

  • Classroom organization – Meaning and purpose

  • Classroom Seating Arrangement for different purposes

  • Characteristics of Classroom Environment – Learner friendly and inclusive

  • Management and maintenance of physical and material resources to optimize access to learning; Sharing of resources – School Complex

  • Classroom Management: Managing with different types of students – Leader, Follower, passive, Classroom behaviour management problems, mistakes, disciplinary practices, corporal punishments, classroom rules, routines and regulations.

  • Teacher as a Leader: Concept, Nature and Characteristics of a Leader, Types of Leadership, Action Research in Education

  • Mental Health and wellbeing

8. Assessment and Evaluation

  • Assessment, Evaluation-types, Tools of assessment, CCE

  • Analysis and interpretation of learner’s data using various statistical measures and graphs for assessment and evaluation

  • Latest educational policies and Acts of government (State, Nation) such as Child Right Act, RTI Act, RTE Act, NCF 2005, APSCF 2011, NEP 2020, National Curriculum Framework for School Education NCFSE-2023 etc.

9. Information and Communication Technology (ICT):

  • Educational Technology Concept, Growth, Objectives, Characteristics, Advantages, Challenges, and Impact, Communication Concept, Elements, Process, Barriers & Types; Teaching as Communication – Communication Technology and Its Application in Education, Instructional Media and Aids – Aural, Print, Visual, and Multimedia

9.1 ICT in Education:

  • Knowledge Acquisition and Multi-Sensory Approaches, Classroom Communication and Communicative Skills for Teachers and Students – Flanders Interaction Analysis Category System Individualized Instruction – Concept, Need, Principles, and Techniques

9.2 Programmed Learning

  • Principles, Types, Modes of Presentation, Development, Application, and the Role of the Teacher

9.3 Computer Fundamentals and Applications

  • Types, Characteristics, and Features of Computers

  • Components of Computers – Hardware, Software, Memory, and Maintenance

  • Operating Systems – DOS, Windows, Macintosh, and Mobile Apps for Teaching

  • Software for Word Processing, Presentations, Statistical & Graphical Applications, Page Layout, Multimedia, and Webpage Creation

  • The Concept, Applications, and Challenges of Computer Networks, the Internet, Email, and Digital Space

9.4 ICT-Enriched Learning Experiences

  • The Application of ICT for Enriching Classroom Experiences

  • Using Multimedia Educational Software in the Classroom

  • Leveraging Internet-Based Media for Teaching and Learning Enrichment

  • Project-Based Learning Utilizing Computers, the Internet, and Related Activities

  • Collaborative Learning Through Group Discussions, Projects, Field Visits, Blogs, etc.

9.5 Application of Computers in Education

  • Computers as Learning Tools – The Concept of E-Learning

  • Web 2.0 Technologies – Characteristics, Types, and Examples Educational software like Canva, Tutor, and Moodle etc.

  • Virtual Classrooms, Smart Boards, Tools, and Opportunities

  • Open Educational Resources – Concept and Significance Utilization of Open Educational Resources and different ICT platforms like MOOCS, DIKSHA etc.

  • Critical Issues in Internet Usage – Authenticity, Addiction, Plagiarism, Ethical and Legal Standards

Paper 2 (B): Child Development and Pedagogy (in Special Education)

1. CHILD DEVELOPMENT

  • Growth and Development

  • Theories and approaches to human development

  • Individual differences

2. Learning process and theories

  • Sensation, Attention, Perception, Motivation and Intelligence.

PEDAGOGY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

  • Types, Characteristics and Educational needs of CWSN

  • Stages of teaching and learning

  • Approaches of curriculum development

  • Adaptations and accommodations

  • Inclusive Education

  • Inclusive academic instructions

  • Individualised Education Plan (IEP)

  • Teaching Strategies and Evaluation

  • New trends and strategies in implementing Inclusive Education for CWSN

  • Vocational Education and Training

  • Identification of Assessment of CwSN

  • Statistical Analysis of students assessment data

3. EDUCATION COMMISSIONS AND POLICY (SCHOOL EDUCATION)

  • Constitutional provisions on education that reflect National Ideals: Equality, liberty, secularism andsocial justice

  • National Commissions and Policies: Education Commission (1964), NPE and POA (1986, 1992), National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (2006), NCF-2005, APSCF-2011, National Education Policy 2020.NCFPE-2022, NCFSE-2023

  • National Acts: RCI Act, 1992, PWD Act (1995), NT Act (1999), RTE Act (2009 & 2012), RPWD Act (2016)

  • Programmes and schemes: IEDC (1974, 1983), SSA (2000, 2011), RMSA, 2009, IEDSS, 2009.

  • International Conventions and Policies: Salamanca Declaration and Framework, 1994, UNCRPD 2006, MDG, 2015, INCHEON Strategies.

4. Information and Communication Technology (ICT):

  • Educational Technology – Concept, Growth, Objectives, Characteristics, Advantages, Challenges, and Impact, Communication Concept, Elements, Process, Barriers & Types; Teaching as Communication – Communication Technology and Its Application in Education, Instructional Media and Aids – Aural, Print, Visual, and Multimedia

5. ICT in Education:

  • Knowledge Acquisition and Multi-Sensory Approaches, Classroom Communication and Communicative Skills for Teachers and Students – Flanders Interaction Analysis Category System Individualized Instruction Concept, Need, Principles, and Techniques

  • Programmed Learning – Principles, Types, Modes of Presentation, Development, Application, and the Role of the Teacher

6. Computer Fundamentals and Applications

  • Types, Characteristics, and Features of Computers

  • Components of Computers – Hardware, Software, Memory, and Maintenance

  • Operating Systems – DOS, Windows, Macintosh, and Mobile Apps for Teaching

  • Software for Word Processing, Presentations, Statistical & Graphical Applications, Page Layout, Multimedia, and Webpage Creation

  • The Concept, Applications, and Challenges of Computer Networks, the Internet, Email, and Digital Space

7. ICT-Enriched Learning Experiences

  • The Application of ICT for Enriching Classroom Experiences

  • Using Multimedia Educational Software in the Classroom

  • Leveraging Internet-Based Media for Teaching and Learning Enrichment

  • Project-Based Learning Utilizing Computers, the Internet, and Related Activities

  • Collaborative Learning Through Group Discussions, Projects, Field Visits, Blogs, etc.

8. Application of Computers in Education

  • Computers as Learning Tools – The Concept of E-Learning

  • Web 2.0 Technologies – Characteristics, Types, and Examples Educational software like Canva, Tutor, and Moodle.,

  • Virtual Classrooms, Smart Boards, Tools, and Opportunities

  • Open Educational Resources – Concept and Significance Utilization of Open Educational Resources and different ICT platforms like MOOCS, DIKSHA etc.

  • Critical Issues in Internet Usage Authenticity, Addiction, Plagiarism, Ethical and Legal Standards

Child Development and Pedagogy Study Material

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