Growth Development Child Development Theorists The study of

Growth & Development

Child Development Theorists • The study of child development is based on research • Theory: a belief • Is there a consensus on how to apply child development theories and research findings?

Basic Areas of child development • Physical • Emotional • Social • Cognitive (intellectual) • Moral

Five General Rules • Development is similar for each individual • Growth proceeds from head to foot • Development build upon earlier learning • Sequence • Development proceeds at an individual rate • The different areas are interrelated • Development is continuous throughout life

Influences on development • Why do children develop at different rates? • Remember: development is similar for everyone, but it proceeds at different rates • Nature vs Nurture • Is it our biology, do we come that way? Or is it how we are raised, our environment?

Influences on development • Heredity: biological transfer of characteristics from earlier generations. “Nature” • Blood Type • Eye Color • Hair Color • How can nature affect a developing child?

Influences on Development • Environment: people, places and things that surround and influence a person. “Nurture” • • Family Home School Community • How can nurture affect a developing child?

Nurturing and Clay • Nurturing is like sculpting • A young child is very pliable, like clay • We can mold and shape it as we wish • However, after very long, the clay begins to dry and the child begins to grow up and maintains the form you’ve made • That is how nurturing affects a child’s development

How to promote Nurturing • Nourishment • Support • Encouragement • Unconditional Love

Lack of Nurturing Orphans' Lonely Beginnings Reveal How Parents Shape A Child's Brain (NPR audio clip) http: //www. npr. org/sections/healthshots/2014/02/20/280237833/orphans-lonely-beginnings-reveal-howparents-shape-a-childs-brain

Bonding • The formation of close emotional ties • These emotional ties are formed between parents and the newborn soon after birth • Bonding is critical to a newborn child

Creating a Bonding Experience • Just after birth, physical contact. “Skin to Skin”. Baby is placed on mothers chest. • Long, loving looks • Critical to the bonding process • Animated face and voice

Importance of Bonding • Safety and Trust • Children feel safe when they trust their parents and caretakers

Influences on development • What would be the outcome if a child did not receive adequate nurturing?

Lack of Nurturing • Failure to thrive or attachment disorder • A condition in which babies fail to grow and develop properly • Suffer slower cognitive development • Fails to respond to people and objects • Cries weaken, smiles fade, becomes withdrawn • As adults, difficult to form meaningful relationships

Nurturing Throughout Life • As humans, we crave nurturing and love from other human beings • How do the following groups need nurturing? • • • Infants Children Teenagers Adults Elderly