specialisatie Applied Neuroscience in Human Development

The primary focus in the curriculum of the master specialisation Applied Neuroscience in Human Development is on how knowledge about brain functioning and stress regulation can contribute to educational practice, clinical work, family interventions, and – conversely – how these applications can contribute to optimal neurocognitive and biological functioning.

As a graduate you will have acquired knowledge and skills in:

• The basics of the functional anatomy of the brain, the development of the brain and nervous system, and genetic and environmental factors influencing cognitive development and functioning;
• Methods and instruments for measuring and studying the quality of the (central) nervous system, such as EEG, brain imaging techniques such as MRI, parameters of the arousal system such as heart rate and skin conductance, eye tracking, genetics and the hormone system;
• Possibilities for prevention and intervention aimed at optimizing brain functioning and the regulation of thought, emotions and behaviour.

specialisatie Child and Family Science

The specialisation Child and Family Science focuses on child development in the context of different caregiving circumstances. The courses cover both normative and problematic caregiving.

An important part of the curriculum is the study of evidence based prevention and intervention programmes to improve caregiving qualities of parents and professional caregivers.

You will study key questions that address the most important processes in caregiving, parenting and child development. Questions that are central to Child and Family Science include:

• Which early experiences increase the risk of developing behavioral problems?
• Do parents' childhood experiences affect the way they raise their children?
• What circumstances are important for the development of adopted and foster children?
• How do neurobiological processes influence the behavior of parents and children?
• What is the role of genetic factors and the interaction between genetic predisposition and environment in child development and in parenting behavior?
• How do day care experiences relate to child development?
• How can interventions contribute to the improvement of parenting qualities?

specialisatie Education and Child Studies: Kinderen met Leer- en Gedragsproblemen in het onderwijs

De masterspecialisatie Kinderen met leer- en gedragsproblemen in het onderwijs bereidt je voor om in het onderwijs aan de slag te gaan met kinderen en jongeren met probleemgedrag.

Doel is deze leerlingen met leer- en gedragsproblemen beter te laten functioneren binnen de schoolcontext door hen passend onderwijs te bieden.

In deze specialisatie leer je hoe je leerlingen met:

• gedragsproblemen in de klas – adhd of add
• ontwikkelings- en leerproblemen – autisme, pdd nos, dyslexie en dyscalculie
• emotionele en sociale problemen op school

specialisatie Orthopedagogiek

De masterspecialisatie Orthopedagogiek geeft je inzicht in de aard, ernst en oorzaken van gedragsproblemen en ontwikkelingsstoornissen bij kinderen en jongeren.

In de masterspecialisatie Orthopedagogiek staan ernstige problemen tijdens de ontwikkeling van kinderen en adolescenten centraal. Daarbij kan het gaan om problemen die samenhangen met de opvoeding en in alle gevallen gaat het ook om de gevolgen voor opvoeding, onderwijs en zorg. Voorbeelden van zulke problemen zijn:

• een verstandelijke handicap;
• een ontwikkelingsstoornis, zoals autisme;
• een gedragsstoornis: ADHD, angststoornis.

specialisatie Digital Media in Human Development

The new Digital Media in Human Development specialisation is devoted to the opportunities and challenges of digital media in child rearing and education.This master's specialisation distinguishes itself from other programmes in the field of digital media by paying explicit attention to the role of digital media in child rearing, education and the treatment of problems, and how digital media influence child development.

Child rearing and instruction are changing under the influence of digital media, that is characterised by rapid developments in applications for personal computers, mobile telephony, handhelds, virtual reality, internet, MOOCs, serious gaming and other digital devices and techniques. Given the new opportunities offered by digital media, but also the inherent dangers and risks, it is essential to equip students who will be taking up practical, policy-oriented and scientific positions in this field with 'evidence-based' knowledge.

specialisatie Educational Science

Students practice translating the implications of this knowledge to educational practices.This specialisation offers a unique multidisciplinary approach: you study children's learning processes from a cognitive-psychological, social-emotional, and neurodevelopmental perspective. In addition to this multidisciplinary focus on the learning and developing child, the programme addresses the impact that the social and educational environment have. At the core of the programme as a whole is the idea that the Master's student develops a critical attitude towards research and practices in the field of learning and education, as well as the skills needed to bridge the gap between theory, research, and educational practice.

Educational Science addresses questions such as:

• What is the relation between brain development, cognitive development, and learning?
• How do children learn to understand what they read?
• How does contemporary mathematics education impact children's arithmetic strategies?
• How can teachers foster children's motivation for school by supporting their needs?
• How can teachers adapt their teaching to the needs of children with different sociocultural backgrounds?
• What are the backgrounds, meanings, and consequences of current educational innovations?

specialisatie Forensische Gezinspedagogiek

Deze masterspecialisatie gaat over ongunstige opvoedingsomstandigheden, zoals kindermishandeling, huiselijk geweld, vechtscheidingen en opgroeien in een kindertehuis of jeugdinrichting.

De masterspecialisatie Forensische gezinspedagogiek gaat over ongunstige opvoedingsomstandigheden, zoals kindermishandeling, huiselijk geweld, vechtscheidingen en opgroeien in een kindertehuis of jeugdinrichting.

Forensische onderwerpen belichten we vanuit een gezinspedagogisch perspectief met nadruk op de gehechtheidstheorie. Hierbij wordt aandacht besteed aan de rol van ouders en andere opvoeders in de ontwikkeling van emotionele en gedragsproblemen bij kinderen. Daarnaast komen ook gezinsdiagnostiek en family mediation aan de orde.

Tijdens de masterspecialisatie Forensische gezinspedagogiek gebruik je recente inzichten uit de ontwikkelingspsychopathologie, klinische neurobiologie, criminologie en het recht. Hiermee leer je kinderen en gezinnen die niet goed functioneren in een forensische context herkennen en helpen.

Het onderwijsprogramma dat je volgt richt zich op vragen als:

• Is een uithuisplaatsing gewenst, gezien de gezinsproblemen en de gedragsproblemen van het kind?
• Wie moet de voogdij over het kind krijgen?
• Kunnen de gezinsproblemen worden aangepakt met een opvoedingsinterventie?

specialisatie Learning Problems and Impairments

The master's specialisation in Learning Problems and Impairments offers you a combination of theories about learning problems and impairments, diagnostic skills and intervention and prevention strategies from a developmental perspective.
More than 15% of all school age children have learning problems. They experience severe difficulties in learning one or more basic skills or fail to meet general requirements. Pre-schools and schools for primary and secondary education need professionals who can define the problems and find evidence based solutions.
During this specialisation you'll learn to recognize and treat common learning problems such as dyslexia, hyperlexia and dyscalculia, as well as learning problems caused by ADHD, ADD, or speech and language disorders. The training focuses on the knowledge and skills required for research, teaching or clinical practice.

specialisatie Leerproblemen

Meer dan 15% van de kinderen in het basis- en voortgezet onderwijs hebben leerproblemen..

Zij ondervinden moeilijkheden bij het leren van één of meer basisvaardigheden of voldoen niet aan de basisvereisten.De specialisatie Leerproblemen biedt een combinatie van theoretische inzichten, diagnostische vaardigheden en behandelingsstrategieën. Studenten leren algemene leerproblemen herkennen, zoals dyslexie, hyperlexie en dyscalculie, evenals leerproblemen veroorzaakt door ADHD, ADD of spraak- en taalstoornissen. In de loop van het programma verwerf je de kennis en vaardigheden die nodig zijn voor functies in het onderzoek, onderwijs of de klinische hulpverlening.

honours-/excellence program Leiden Leadership Programme

The Leiden Leadership Programme (LLP) is an honours programme of 15 ECs on top of the regular master's curriculum. The programme consists of training courses, seminars and a practical assignment.

Are you looking for an extra challenge in addition to your Leiden master's programme? Are you adventurous enough to look beyond the borders of your own master's programme? The Leiden Leadership Programme may be just what you are looking for. The programme gives you the opportunity to develop your leadership skills. You will follow seminars and courses, as well as carrying out a practical assignment for a company or organisation as part of a small, multidisciplinary team. Your lecturers will be leading academics and experienced professionals from the business sector.

Students can apply who have:

• Good study results in the bachelor's programme;
• The ambition and motivation to develop leadership qualities;
• A broad and interdisciplinary span of interest.