CHLD 113: Philosophy Statement Student Learning Outcome This assignment is designed to assess the following student learning outcome (SLO): Compare and contrast various theoretical frameworks that relate to the study of human development.  Developing Your Personal Philosophy The Philosophy Statement assignment provides an opportunity to review the theoretical perspectives discussed throughout this semester. In a 3-5 page paper (excluding title page, abstract, and references) you will argue which theories you believe best explain how children think, learn, grow, and develop.  A philosophy is a set of beliefs about how children develop and learn. This is an individualized statement that is based on core values and beliefs. These are related to your beliefs about the nature and purpose of life, your role and calling in life, and your relationship and responsibilities to others. A philosophy is more than an opinion; it is based on theoretical frameworks, as well as empirical data. Understanding and applying this information is valuable, but ultimately you have to decide what you personally believe and why you believe that. Moment by moment, day by day, what you believe impacts what you will teach and how you will teach it. Review : Review the five theoretical perspectives discussed throughout the text. Re-read chapter two, then review the concepts in other chapters that discuss development in terms of the theories. For example, Berger (the author) comes back to Piaget and Vygotsky in the chapters on cognitive development (especially in chapters 9 and 12), and comes back to Erikson (and sometimes Freud) in the chapters on psychosocial development. She reviews theories when she discusses language learning (chapter 6), infant development (chapter 7), and gender roles (chapter 10). The theories are woven throughout the text. Also review the lecture and PowerPoint slides posted in the Chapter 2 learning unit folder. In addition, the “Additional Resources” section of chapter two lists numerous videos and websites that will help you better understand the theories Reflect and Select : Spend time thinking and talking about the various theories and brainstorm points you want to make in your philosophy statement. Write an outline or web to help you organize your ideas before you start writing your actual essay. You do not need to use every part of every theory in your paper. Some students are eclectic and use some aspect of each theory. Some students select several theories and focus on specific aspects of those theories.  For this assignment you are required to use a minimum of three theories  (can be parts of a theory – such as social learning from behaviorism, information processing from cognitive, and Freud from psychoanalytic). The possibilities are endless within the five major theories, but here are some aspects of the theories that previous students have incorporated into their philosophy statements: Psychoanalytic Theory Freud’s concepts (unco.

1. CHLD 113: Philosophy Statement
Student Learning Outcome
This assignment is designed to assess the following student
learning outcome (SLO):
Compare and contrast various theoretical frameworks that relate
to the study of human development.
Developing Your Personal Philosophy
The Philosophy Statement assignment provides an opportunity
to review the theoretical perspectives discussed throughout this
semester. In a 3-5 page paper (excluding title page, abstract,
and references) you will argue which theories you believe best
explain how children think, learn, grow, and develop.
A philosophy is a set of beliefs about how children develop and
learn. This is an individualized statement that is based on core
values and beliefs. These are related to your beliefs about the
nature and purpose of life, your role and calling in life, and
your relationship and responsibilities to others. A philosophy is
more than an opinion; it is based on theoretical frameworks, as
well as empirical data. Understanding and applying this
information is valuable, but ultimately you have to decide what
you personally believe and why you believe that. Moment by
moment, day by day, what you believe impacts what you will
teach and how you will teach it.
Review
: Review the five theoretical perspectives discussed throughout
the text. Re-read chapter two, then review the concepts in other
chapters that discuss development in terms of the theories. For
example, Berger (the author) comes back to Piaget and
Vygotsky in the chapters on cognitive development (especially
in chapters 9 and 12), and comes back to Erikson (and
sometimes Freud) in the chapters on psychosocial development.

2. She reviews theories when she discusses language learning
(chapter 6), infant development (chapter 7), and gender roles
(chapter 10). The theories are woven throughout the text. Also
review the lecture and PowerPoint slides posted in the Chapter
2 learning unit folder. In addition, the “Additional Resources”
section of chapter two lists numerous videos and websites that
will help you better understand the theories
Reflect and Select
: Spend time thinking and talking about the various theories and
brainstorm points you want to make in your philosophy
statement. Write an outline or web to help you organize your
ideas before you start writing your actual essay. You do not
need to use every part of every theory in your paper. Some
students are eclectic and use some aspect of each theory. Some
students select several theories and focus on specific aspects of
those theories.
For this assignment you are required to use a minimum of three
theories
(can be parts of a theory – such as social learning from
behaviorism, information processing from cognitive, and Freud
from psychoanalytic). The possibilities are endless within the
five major theories, but here are some aspects of the theories
that previous students have incorporated into their philosophy
statements:
Psychoanalytic Theory
Freud’s concepts (unconscious motivations, id, ego superego,
etc.)
Freud’s psychosexual stages (oral, anal, phallic, latency,
genital)
Erikson’s psychosocial stages (trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs.
shame and doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority,
identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity
vs. stagnation, integrity vs. despair)
Behaviorism Theory
Classical conditioning (Pavlov)

3. Operant conditioning (Skinner)
Social learning theory and self-efficacy (Bandura)
Cognitive Theory
Piaget’s concepts (equilibrium/disequilibrium, schemas,
assimilation, accommodation)
Piaget’s periods (sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete
operational, formal operational)
Information processing
Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences
Sociocultural Theory
Vygotsky’s concepts (guided participation, zone of proximal
development, scaffolding, apprenticeship in learning)
Ethnotheories and parenting styles
Vygotsky’s emphasis on the role of language in mediating
(fostering) learning the connection between Vygotsky’s theory
and the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education
Vygotsky and the role of the teacher
The Universal Perspective
Humanism (Maslow and Rogers)
Evolutionary theory
Epigenetic theory (nature and nurture)
Helpful tip: Make an appointment with the Writing Center or
the Tutoring Center (
760-795-6682
) before you start writing your paper. They will help you
organize your thoughts and help you brainstorm the main issues
you want to cover. (Online appointments are available too!)
Write
: Write a philosophy statement arguing which theories you
believe best explain how children think, learn, grow and
develop. Think about your audience (the general public) and do
not assume the reader has an understanding of the theories. Be
specific enough in discussing each theory that someone not
familiar with the theories would understand your paper.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, but make the
philosophy statement personal and interesting. Most of all,
enjoy the process of pulling together what you have learned
about the theories!
Note: Be sure to use your own words. Credit will not be given
for copying sections of the text. This is plagiarism (see Course
Guide). Read the section you want to include, then close the
book and restate the concepts in your own words. If you want to
use a quote from the text be sure to use quotation marks and cite
the source using APA format. Review all aspects of the theories
and synthesize what you have learned from a variety of
chapters.
Evaluate
: After you have written your philosophy, evaluate it with the
following questions:
Does my philosophy accurately relate my beliefs about how
children learn, grow, think, and develop, as well as how that is
best supported?
Have I been honest with myself?
Is it understandable to me and others?
Are my ideas consistent with one another?
Have I included at least three credible citations?
Format
Your article review should be formatted as follows:
Title page
Abstract
Introduction
Theory 1
Theory 2
Theory 3
Conclusion
References

5. Evaluation Criteria
Excellent
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Title Page & Abstract
3
2
0-1
Introduction
5
3-4
0-2
Theory 1
7-9
4-6
0-3
Theory 2
7-9
4-6
0-3
Theory 3
7-9
4-6
0-3
Conclusion
5
3-4
0-2
References
5
3-4
0-2
Spelling & Grammar
-0

6. -1
-2
APA Format
-0
-1
-2