This study explores the transformative impact of a general education course, Child Development and Learning—on 28 undergraduate students from non-education majors at a UAE university. Through structured reflections, students articulated how the course reshaped their perceptions of childhood, parenting, and community. Analysis revealed that developmental theories (Piaget, Vygotsky, Bandura, Erikson, Bronfenbrenner) and domains of cognitive, emotional, and social development were particularly meaningful. Many students expressed surprise at the complexity of child development and acknowledged a shift from viewing children as “simply small people” to recognizing them as individuals shaped by environment, relationships, and experience. The course prompted students to reflect on their own family roles, especially as older siblings, aunts, or future parents. They began applying strategies such as positive reinforcement and age-appropriate communication, reporting increased empathy and responsibility in real-life interactions. Several linked course content to national initiatives in the UAE, including Wadeema’s Law and the country’s commitment to child rights and family cohesion, seeing early childhood education as critical to social development and cultural continuity. For some, the course reshaped future aspirations, igniting an interest in child psychology or motivating greater intentionality in future parenting. Importantly, students emphasized that the course should be mandatory for all university students—not just educators—as it cultivates essential life skills, family awareness, and social responsibility. These findings support the argument that embedding child development education into general university curricula can foster more nurturing individuals and informed citizens, especially in multicultural and rapidly evolving societies. This presentation will discuss the thematic insights from student reflections and advocate for rethinking the boundaries of teacher education by recognizing the universal relevance of child development knowledge.

Keywords: Child development, parenting, early childhood education, transformative learning.