Chapter 4 Child Development Principles There are several

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles • There are several stages of development and factors that affect the proper growth and development of children. • Understanding how a child might act or what a child might learn at different ages and stages will help you know what to expect from a child in your care. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 1

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Child Development Basics • Child development is the pattern of changes that scientists study in how children grow from birth to teen years. • Researchers study four areas of development: 1. Physical 2. Intellectual 3. Emotional 4. Social Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 2

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Physical Development • Physical development is how a child’s body grows and what the body can do. • The most dramatic changes in growth happen during infancy and the teen years. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 3

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Physical Development Large Motor Skills • Learning to move and control larger muscles Small Motor Skills • Learning to move and control smaller muscles Balance and Motor Coordination • Refining and strengthening large- and small-motor skills Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 4

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Intellectual Development Cognitive development researchers have found that infants develop certain skills as they make sense of their experiences. cognitive development How children think, communicate, make decisions, and solve problems. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 5

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Intellectual Development Children learn best through sensorimotor learning. sensorimotor Exploring one’s surroundings through the senses of sight, touch, taste, sound, and smell. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 6

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Intellectual Development As children gather sensory information, such as a bitter taste or a loud noise, their brains explain and store the information. sensory Relating to the senses and the sense organs. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 7

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Intellectual Development Sensory Skills • Children use their senses to learn about the objects around them. Language Skills • Language allows children to organize and express thoughts. • Children use language to explore what interests them. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 8

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Intellectual Development Concepts • Concepts allow children to notice differences and to see that objects vary. Thinking Skills • Children learn to analyze, evaluate, and solve problems. • Children begin to recognize cause-and-effect relationships. • Children start to understand the consequences of their actions. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 9

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Emotional Development Some children may be naturally shy, although others of the same age have a temperament that is more outgoing. temperament A typical way a person responds to people and situations. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 10

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Emotional Development Emotional development takes place as children form feelings about themselves and others. They experience feelings such as • happiness. • excitement. • fear. • frustration. • anger. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 11

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Emotional Development Temperament • Each child is born with an individual temperament. • When caring for children, it is important to identify and respect their individual temperaments and to react with sensitivity. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 12

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Emotional Development Trust and Attachment • Children learn to trust through emotional bonds. • Consistent and responsive care can generate and reinforce children’s trust in caregivers. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 13

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Emotional Development Identity and Self-Esteem • Self-esteem is the overall belief children have about themselves. • Children form a mental picture of who they are. Self Control • Children understand learn to control emotions. • Children learn to accept that everyone has feelings they must respect. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 14

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Social and Ethical Development • Social development builds as children learn how to get along, to play, and to make friends. • Children learn that society has rules to follow. • An understanding of ethics begins as children learn the difference between right and wrong. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 15

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Social and Ethical Development Family Relationships • Children receive their foundation for morals and ethics from their families. • Teachers can reinforce this foundation by learning about each family and encouraging children to act according to their families’ values. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 16

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Social and Ethical Development As a result of perspective taking, children make friends more easily and become accepted members of a group. perspective taking Through play, children learn to consider and respect other children’s points of view as well as their own. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 17

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Social and Ethical Development Peer Relationships • As children interact with others, they learn that everyone has different goals, ideas, and ways of doing things. • Perspective taking allows social skills to develop, such as listening, taking turns, sharing, and resolving conflict. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 18

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Child Development Research Prompted by a growing number of questions from doctors and parents, child development researchers have created a body of knowledge about how children learn and develop skills. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 19

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Child Development Research The theories of researchers such as Jean Piaget and Abraham Maslow have become accepted by a large number of child development experts. theories Ideas and principles about a subject that can be investigated, using the scientific method. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 20

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Child Development Research The results of research can be categorized into two main groups: • Environment • Heredity Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 21

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Child Development Research The environment in which a child is raised can have an impact on his or her life forever. environment The people, culture, and physical and social surroundings in which the child lives. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 22

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Child Development Research Characteristics determined by heredity include hair color, blood type, eye color, and certain diseases. heredity Qualities and traits that are passed from parents to children through their genes at conception. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 23

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles of Child Development Many factors play a part in the growth and development of children. factors Things that contribute to a result. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 24

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles of Child Development Researchers have defined five general principles of child development: • Development follows a similar pattern for each child. • Development rate depends on the individual. • Development is sequential. • Development is interrelated. • Development is a lifelong process. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 25

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Brain Coordination Every human is born with billions of neurons Nerve cells in the brain that are the basic functional units of the nervous system. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 26

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Brain Coordination Some experts say that, by adulthood, the brain has more than 100 trillion synapses Electrical connections between neurons. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 27

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Brain Coordination • All areas of human development are affected by the growth and functions of the brain. • Synapses increase throughout growth, but neurons do not increase. • As synapses increase, neuron pathways develop. • This brain wiring sends information to all parts of the body to tell it how to function. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 28

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Brain Coordination Sensory Experiences • A child’s synapses increase with nurturing and sensory and movement experiences. Repeated and Related Experiences • Repetition helps the brain retain information. Critical Periods • Each development area has its own time frame for normal development to occur. • Caregivers must recognize and take advantage of this time frame. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 29

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Development Rates • Developmental stages are predictable. • The rate at which each child progresses through a stage varies. • Sometimes a child may experience different rates of development in each area. • Every child must pass through all stages to grow and to mature. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 30

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Development Rates Early educators must consider the total child when planning activities that promote growth, development, and learning. Sequential Development • The skills children learn develop gradually and build upon each other. Interrelated Development • Growth in one area can affect growth in another. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 31

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Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Factors Affecting Development Children who live in at-risk environments may fall behind other children their age developmentally. at-risk Environments that interfere with proper development and well-being. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 33

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Factors Affecting Development • Proper growth and development depends on heredity and environment. • Heredity may pass on to children serious diseases or physical or mental disabilities. • Children who live in at-risk environments may not receive enough nurturing and stimulation from their parents or care providers. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 34

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Heredity and Environment • Many scientists believe that heredity and environment each play a significant role in development. • Heredity is set before birth and is unchangeable. • Environment after birth changes regularly. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 35

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Prenatal Development It is vital that a pregnant woman receives proper prenatal care, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. prenatal Before birth. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 36

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Prenatal Development Maternal Health Before Birth • Proper prenatal care is essential. Prenatal Drug Use • Abusing alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and drugs while pregnant may hurt an infant’s development. The Birth Process • Most births are routine and predictable, but some involve complications and may require a cesarean section. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 37

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Prenatal Development If a baby enters the birth canal in the wrong position, a cesarean section may be necessary to deliver the baby. cesarean section A surgical procedure for delivering a baby via a cut in the mother’s abdomen. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 38

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Health and Nutrition • Children grow and develop properly if they are provided with basic health care and proper nutrition. • Illness or injury slows growth and learning. • Early educators play an important role in providing proper nutrition and by providing information on agencies that support children’s health care. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 39

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Responsive Care and Nurturing • Care providers must respond to children’s basic needs for comfort, love, and assistance. • Developing routines help nurture a child’s overall development. • Child care professionals should make it a priority to become familiar with the backgrounds and cultural beliefs of the families and children they serve. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 40

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Children at Risk Children at risk have a greater chance of developmental delays. Early educators should watch for at-risk indicators in all developmental areas: • Physical • Intellectual • Emotional • Social • Environmental Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 41

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Intervention and Prevention It is the professional responsibility of early educators to help the parents of an at-risk child understand the problem and seek intervention services Resources and specialized help for at-risk children and their families. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 42

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Intervention and Prevention • Child care professionals must observe children for signs of slow development. • If ignored, developmental problems can become more serious and interfere with a child’s life. • Intervention services can help reduce or eliminate risks for children. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 43

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Intervention and Prevention Parent Education • formal classes • support groups • libraries Support Services • hospitals • health departments • schools • social service agencies Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 44

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Intervention and Prevention Child care professionals can support families by providing a referral for a resource or service. referral Sending a family that needs assistance to a support service or resource. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 45

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Review Key Concepts Describe the four areas of child development. • Physical—body capabilities and growth. • Intellectual—thinking, communicating, solving problems. • Emotional—form feelings about self and others. • Social—interacting with others. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 46

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Review Key Concepts Identify the main principles of child development. • Development follows a similar pattern for each child. • Development rate depends on the individual. • Development is sequential. • Development is interrelated. • Development is a lifelong process. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 47

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Review Key Concepts Explain the influences of environment and heredity on development. • Environment (the people, culture, and physical and social surroundings) influences a person throughout his or her life. • Heredity influences how a person will look as well as physical, intellectual, emotional, and social strengths and weaknesses. Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 48

Chapter 4: Child Development Principles Review Key Concepts Describe potential characteristics of children at risk. • poor overall health • toileting problems • inability to listen or concentrate • isolation • delayed language • behavior problems • lack of security • signs of neglect or abuse • exposure to violence. • depression Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 49

End of Chapter 4 Child Development Principles