Child Development Chapter 1 Learning About Children Section

Child Development Chapter 1 Learning About Children

Section 1 -1

Objectives Summarize the benefits of having children Explain how learning about typical behaviors can help you better understand children. Describe how childhood today differs from childhood in the past.

Benefits of Studying Children Better understand why children feel, think, and act the way they do Gain skills as a caregiver Learn to enjoy children more Explore whether a career related to children interests you

History of Parenting Practices

Typical Behaviors Ways of acting and responding that are common at each stage of childhood Understanding these behaviors can help you recognize when children are acting appropriately for their age

Caregivers… Provide basic necessities like food, clothing, shelter Give affection needed for emotional growth Stimulate learning Teach how to get along with others Teach right from wrong

1800 s Children vs. Today’s Children 1800 s Children Today’s Children were about 10 x more likely to die before they reached their 1 st birthday. 8 -10% of children died between ages 1 and 21. Many deadly childhood diseases are now controlled Education Open only for a few months of the year. One-room schoolhouses sat students of all ages and abilities. Self-taught teachers. Few resources. Public education in organized by age Technology has increased learning options Teachers must be certified and licensed. Work Children were often needed to perform household and farm work. Spent majority of their days on these tasks. No longer allowed to work at adult jobs or in dangerous jobs. Most have age-appropriate work responsibilities at home Considerably more free time. Health Better nutrition helps children thrive

Play is important because… It helps children learn intellectually, emotionally, and socially.

Studying children may… Reinforce the views you already have about childhood or… Cause you to rethink your views on childhood

Section 1 -2

Objectives Explain why childhood is an important time of development. Compare/Contrast leading theories of how children develop. Identify and give examples of the 5 characteristics of development. Explain impact of heredity and environment on development. Define the stages of development after childhood. Describe how self-esteem and development are interrelated.

The Baby’s Brain At birth – least developed organ – about ¼ the size of an adult’s. By age 3 – has produced hundreds of trillions of connections among the brain cells.

Stimulation and Development It improves: Curiosity Attention span memory Development occurs more quickly Babies have more secure self-image

Stimulating Environment and Neural Pathways The collective group of used pathways become a map of how an individual thinks, reasons, and remembers Unused pathways are eliminated Babies in stimulated environments retain greater number of connections

10. Child Development Theorists Freud Personality develops through stages Childhood experiences profoundly affect adult life Piaget Children go through 4 stages of learning Children must be given tasks appropriate to their level of development Vygotsky Biological development and cultural experience influence ability to learn. Social contact essential to intellectual development. Erikson Each dev. stage includes a unique psychological crisis. If the crisis is met in a positive way, the individual develops normally

Theorists cont’d… Skinner Children will repeat actions that receive positive results. Children will stop actions that receive negative results. Bandura Children learn by imitating others. Environment shapes behavior and behavior affects environment. Bronfenbrenner A child’s own biology, family/community environment, and society affect a child’s development.

Child Development Theorists

11. Characteristics of development Development is similar for each individual. Children go through the same stages of development in about the same order. Development builds on earlier learning Skills learned at later stages build on those mastered earlier. Development proceeds at an individual rate. Children go through the same stages, but at his/her own pace. The different areas of development are interrelated. Changes occur in body, mind, emotions at the same time. Development is a lifelong process. Humans continue to change throughout life— sometimes rapidly, sometimes slowly

2 Major Influences on Development Heredity Examples: Blood type, eye color, hair color Environment Examples: Family, community

Typical Developmental Tasks in the Human Life Cycle (birth to death) Adolescence Stage between childhood and adulthood Teens work on 3 tasks: Creating an identity Becoming independent Pursuing education and career ops Young Adulthood People in their 20 s work on these tasks: Finish their education Begin working May marry

Typical Developmental Tasks in the Human Life Cycle (birth to death) cont’d… The Thirties Tasks: Establishing roots Reevaluating life choices Find stability in career and relationships Middle Ages 40 -55 Tasks: Adjust as children become more independent Question satisfaction with life and make changes if wanted

Typical Developmental Tasks in the Human Life Cycle (birth to death) cont’d… Late Adulthood Ages 55 -75 Tasks: Retirement May become more politically and socially active Enjoy hobbies and spend time with grandchildren Health issues may arise Very Late Adulthood Beyond age 75 Health problems more common May still be active and contribute knowledge/experience to society Those in fragile health may need assistance

Self Esteem and Development Self esteem is the value people place on themselves. Contributes to people’s abilities to face and overcome challenges Children who feel good about themselves are more likely to • show enthusiasm for learning, • form friendships • make healthy choices Research as found links between low self-esteem and poor school performance, truancy, and criminal behavior

How We Can Help Children Develop Self-esteem Give praise for accomplishments or real effort Don’t be overly critical. They are still learning. Find the good in what they did and discuss what they can do better next time. Model self-esteem. Children learn by example and will imitate adult behaviors and attitudes.