Foundations of Childhood Development

A step-by-step guide to understanding and supporting your child’s emotional, social, and developmental growth—from birth through adolescence

About this course

This course is your guide to understanding and supporting your child’s emotional, social, and developmental growth—from birth through adolescence. Led by child psychologist Dr. Maya Bristow Klein, you’ll gain clarity around common parenting questions and challenges, from toddler tantrums to teenage identity. Through 15 focused modules, you’ll learn how to nurture secure attachment, support emotional resilience, and guide your child through each developmental stage. With practical tools and psychoanalytically grounded insights, this course empowers you to foster a deeper connection with your child and grow confidently alongside them—every step of the way.

Why This Course Matters

From first smiles to teenage independence, childhood is filled with emotional highs and lows—not just for children, but for parents, too. It’s normal to wonder:

  • Are these behaviors typical for their age—or something more?
  • How do I support my child through big emotional shifts like tantrums or peer struggles?
  • What tools can help me build a secure, lasting connection with my child?
  • How can I nurture their independence without losing my mind (or my patience)?

At Pathformers, we’ve supported countless families with these same questions. That’s why we created Foundations of Childhood Development: to offer not just answers, but clarity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of your child’s growth.

Understanding Parental Concerns About Youth Anxiety and Depression

Guiding Your Child, One Stage at a Time

This course breaks down the complex journey of childhood into digestible, actionable modules. You’ll gain tools and insights to:

  • Support your child through milestones like separation anxiety, tantrums, and peer struggles
  • Build emotional security and healthy attachment from the beginning
  • Understand how language, identity, and self-esteem develop over time
  • Balance independence and boundaries across age groups
  • Create a resilient, emotionally connected family environment

It’s a course that grows with your child—and helps you grow as a parent.

Understanding Dyslexia

Learn what dyslexia is, how it’s diagnosed, and the importance of early identification. Gain insights into the origins of dyslexia and practical steps to support your child’s reading journey.

Exploring Dysgraphia

Discover how dysgraphia impacts writing and motor skills. Learn strategies to address these challenges and build your child’s confidence.

Unpacking Dyspraxia

Understand the coordination and motor challenges associated with dyspraxia and discover ways to support your child both academically and emotionally.

Navigating Dyscalculia

Explore how math challenges manifest in dyscalculia and learn tools to support numerical understanding and build confidence in math-related tasks.

Building Emotional Resilience

Learn how learning differences can impact your child’s self-esteem and emotional well-being. Discover strategies to foster confidence, manage frustration, and create a supportive environment that empowers your child to thrive emotionally and socially.

Collaborating with Educators and Specialists

Gain practical guidance on working with teachers, therapists, and school staff to create tailored support plans for your child. Understand how to advocate effectively for accommodations and build a strong support system to help your child succeed.

What Parents Say About Pathformers

When searching for information about children’s emotions and behavior, we often felt overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. Pathformers offered explanations that made sense of what we were seeing at home, and it immediately helped us feel more grounded. The way the concepts are broken down feels calm, clear, and reassuring — like someone is finally helping us understand the bigger picture rather than leaving us to guess. The process for getting started is simple, and the lessons helped us approach our child’s challenges with more confidence and less fear. For any parent trying to better understand what might be shaping their child’s emotional world, Pathformers is an invaluable resource.

Kristyn and Laron J.

Kristyn and Laron J.

I explored Pathformers on both my phone and my computer, and the desktop experience really stood out. The design is beautiful, and the diverse family photos and videos capture the richness of everyday family life. The topics are genuinely useful, and navigating the site is seamless — I especially appreciated the filters that stay in place as you browse. Dr. Klein explains complicated ideas in a way that feels clear and relatable, which I think will resonate with a wide audience, not just parents. I’m excited to share it with my colleagues — we’re always looking for meaningful ‘lunch and learn’ content, and I can see Pathformers being a great fit.

Jamie and Kevin T.

Jamie and Kevin T.

I’m so grateful for the Pathformers initiative. When talking with friends who have children, we’re constantly asking ourselves what behaviors are typical, what might need attention, and how to make sense of the day-to-day challenges kids face. What has always struck me is how little developmental or emotional information parents often receive from pediatric visits. Pathformers gives us a reliable place to turn for clear, research-based explanations that help us understand what we’re seeing in our children. It’s been incredibly reassuring to finally have information we can trust.

Patricia and Aldo B.

Patricia and Aldo B.

Pathformers is an exceptionally well-designed platform with an intuitive, seamless user experience. As someone who works closely with parents, I deeply appreciate how thoughtfully the material is organized and how accessible the content is. Beyond its polished look, the platform offers clear, research-informed explanations that help parents make sense of their children’s development and behavior. Dr. Klein presents complex ideas in a way that feels grounded, relatable, and respectful of parents’ real concerns. For families looking for trustworthy information about child development, Pathformers provides an invaluable place to learn and reflect. I’m excited to see how this resource continues to grow and support parents in meaningful ways!

Shayda M

Shayda M.

What’s in the Course

Dr. Maya Bristow Klein simplifies complex topics, offering clear insights and real-world strategies. Along with engaging video lessons, you’ll gain access to worksheets, tools, and resources to support your child effectively.

Here’s a sneak peek at the course modules:

The First Year Milestones, Attachment, and Growth
Module 1:

The First Year: Milestones, Attachment, and Growth

Discover how your baby’s milestones—like their first smile and navigating separation anxiety—shape their emotional growth and independence.

Foundations of Infant Development Building Emotional Security
Module 2:

Foundations of Infant Development: Building Emotional Security

Learn how early attachment, social engagement, and emotional development shape your baby’s first year. Gain insights and tools to support a strong foundation for lifelong well-being.

Understanding Colic Comforting Your Baby
Module 3:

Understanding Colic: Comforting Your Baby

Discover insights and strategies to help soothe your colicky baby and ease their discomfort.

Attachment Styles and Being Your Child’s Secure Base
Module 4:

Attachment Styles and Being Your Child’s Secure Base

Understand how attachment styles shape your child’s emotional security and learn ways to foster a healthy parent-child bond.

Parental Attachment Styles
Module 5:

Parental Attachment Styles

Explore how your attachment style shapes your child’s emotional security and strengthens your bond.

Sculpting the Self The Role of Narcissism in Child Development
Module 6:

Sculpting the Self: The Role of Narcissism in Child Development

Discover how early interactions nurture your child’s self-esteem, courage, and sense of belonging.

Toddlerhood Boundaries, Emotions, and Connection
Module 7:

Toddlerhood: Boundaries, Emotions, and Connection

Explore toddlerhood’s emotional highs and lows, from independence struggles to social and language development. Learn practical strategies to support growth while maintaining structure and connection.

Parenting Through the 'Terrible Twos'
Module 8:

Parenting Through the ‘Terrible Twos’

Navigate strategies to navigate the “terrible twos” while fostering your toddler's independence and emotional growth.

From Self-Focus to Connection Understanding Narcissism in Child Development
Module 9:

From Self-Focus to Connection: Understanding Narcissism in Child Development

Learn how early narcissism influences your child's development and their ability to form meaningful relationships.

Early Childhood Emotions, Friendships, and Moral Reasoning
Module 10:

Early Childhood: Emotions, Friendships, and Moral Reasoning

Explore early childhood’s emotional and social growth, from big feelings to moral development. Learn how to support independence, friendships, and self-confidence.

Finding Words, Finding Self Language Development from Infancy through Adolescence
Module 11:

Finding Words, Finding Self: Language Development from Infancy through Adolescence

Track your child’s journey from first words to adolescent self-expression. Learn how language shapes emotional growth, identity, and connection—at every stage of development.

Middle Childhood Building Social Skills and Resilience
Module 12:

Middle Childhood: Building Social Skills and Resilience

Explore how children ages 7-10 develop social skills, independence, and moral reasoning. Learn how to support emotional resilience, friendships, and cognitive growth.

Three Pillars of Self-Esteem
Module 13:

Three Pillars of Self-Esteem

Explore the foundations of self-esteem and how they shape emotional growth.

Early Adolescence Identity, Independence, and Peer Influence (1)
Module 14:

Early Adolescence: Identity, Independence, and Peer Influence

Explore the emotional and social shifts of early adolescence. Learn how to support growing independence, navigate peer influence, and foster resilience during this critical stage.

Late Adolescence Connection, Confidence, and Emotional Growth
Module 15:

Late Adolescence: Connection, Confidence, and Emotional Growth

Explore late adolescence’s challenges and opportunities, from identity formation to emotional growth. Learn how to support independence, relationships, and future planning.

Site screen - ADHD

What Makes This Course Different

Pathformers courses are created by licensed child psychologists with years of real clinical experience—not influencers or generic parenting coaches. Our content is:

🎓 Research-informed
📘 Developmentally sequenced
🧠 Psychoanalytically grounded
💬 Straightforward and applicable to everyday parenting

Each video is short, focused, and designed for real parenting life. You’ll walk away with tools you can use—without needing to commit to a rigid philosophy or a mountain of reading.

$34.99 per month

Frequently Asked Questions

 Yes. The course follows your child’s development from infancy through late adolescence. Whether you’re in the thick of toddlerhood or navigating teen dynamics, there’s something here for you.

There are 15 video modules, each 8–10 minutes long, plus printable worksheets and tools. You can go at your own pace.

Parents, caregivers, and professionals looking for a developmentally grounded, emotionally intelligent approach to parenting. No psychology degree required—just curiosity and care.

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of child development from birth through adolescence, including emotional regulation, secure attachment, language development, and identity formation. Each module offers practical strategies to support your child and strengthen your relationship.

Site screen - ADHD

Build Your Foundation. Grow Together.

Parenthood isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up with insight, reflection, and care.
This course gives you the tools to do just that—so your child can thrive, and so can you.

$34.99 per month

Help Steer Your Child’s Development

Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive video updates, expert parenting strategies, and the latest insights in child development and mental health.