This document provides an overview of child development and why studying child development is important. It discusses that the study of child development began in the 1920s when views shifted from seeing children as miniature adults to recognizing childhood as a distinct period. Key points made include that development occurs across physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual domains; follows similar sequences but individual rates; and is continuous throughout life. The importance of play for development across these domains is also highlighted.

1. Growing with ChildrenChild Development Chapter 1

2. Children in your lifeJournal #1 What people in your childhood do you remember b/c they had an impact on you or were important to you?Why do you remember them?How did they impact you?

3. Journal #2What is your relationship/experience with children?Do you interact with them often?Do you feel comfortable around children or do they make you nervous?

4. A. Why study children? Study of children began in 1920’s – a. basically, prior to that, unconcerned with childhood as a particular study b. saw them as miniature adults

5. REASONS WE STUDY CHILDREN

6. 1. Understand them better

7. why they do, feel, think the way they do

8. 2. Gives you guidelines for future as a parent

9. Know what kids are capable of so you have realistic expectations as a parent

10. 3. Appreciation of God’s creatures

11. Realize that we are each miracles and they way we develop from conception to death is amazing!

12. 4. Discover that kids are fun!5. Be able to apply learning to everyday lifePut what you learn into action each dayYou may react differently to children because of what you now know6. Help with a career choiceCan I work with kids everyday?Am I truly interested in them and who they are?7. Understand yourself betterBetter understand why you did and still do the things you do8. Powers of observation growWith knowledge, you can observe children and learn from it each day9. Learn practical techniques of caring for childrenWhat are children’s needs at different agesHow to care for a newborn – 5 years

13. B. What is Child Development?Def: a. Study of how children grow in different ways - physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, & spiritually b. we will be studying how a child develops in each of these areas from conception until the age of 5

14. D. Childhood1. Started studying children in the 1920’s2. Prior to this, children were thought of as miniature adults, only differing in size, experience, & abilities3. We now consider childhood a distinct period of life4. We have studied how children develop in each dimension, what their special needs are, and how these needs can be met5. In the present – changing attitudes & advanced in technology

15. E. Past & present1. WorkPast – had to work hard, farming, household etcPresent – job is learning how to grow, learn, & play

16. 2. Nutrition & healthPast – many diseases, deaths small poxeither were breastfed or they were very illPresent - we have formula to feed infants if not able to breastfeedHave vaccines to eliminate diseases also better health care & can determine b4 birth if there are problems

17. 3. DressPast – dress as small adults, dresses, overalls, boots, bonnets, etcPresent – very stylish, more colorful, fun clothing

18. 4. Parental loveSame today as always in the sense of parents loving their childrenToday perhaps more knowledgeable about special needs of children

19. F. Growth of child study1. Alfred BinetFrench PsychologistDeveloped a series of tests to measure intellectual processes & growth

20. 2. Jean PiagetSwiss PsychologistTheorized that intellectual development in stages related to ageLimits to what a child can learn during that period of development

21. 3. Sigmund FreudAustrian PhysicianDeveloped theory that the emotional experiences of childhood have a lasting effect on the personality of an adult

22. 4. Arnold Gesell & Erik EriksonU.S.Studied CD in terms of social & emotional growthAlthough must still must be learned, certain characteristics seem to be true in mostly all children

23. C. Characteristics of DevThese are the 5 basic facts that are true for human development:1. Development is similar for everyone2. Development builds on earlier learning3. Development proceeds at an individual rate4. Different areas of development are interrelated5. Development is continuous throughout life

24. 1. Development is similar for everyone:Children all over the world go through the same stages of development in approximately the same orderChildren usually stand before they can walk, babble before they can talk

25. 2. Development builds on earlier learning:Skills a child learns at age 2 build directly on those learned at age oneSays single words, combines those words to make sentencesDevelopment follows a sequence:A step-by-step pattern

26. 3. Development proceeds at an individual rate:Follow similar pattern, but each child develops at his/her individual rateStyle and rate of growth differ from child to childEach learn how to crawl, stand, then walk, but one may walk by the age of 9 months and the other 15 monthsGo through same steps, but at different rates

27. 4. Different areas of development are interrelated:Child does not develop physically one week and emotionally the nextAll areas of development interact and develop continually

28. 5. Development is continuous throughout life:Development does not stop at a certain ageSome periods are rapid and others are slowContinue to develop from conception until death

29. Journal #3Do you value play for yourself?Did you in your childhood?Do you for children today?

30. G. Importance of Play:1.DEVELOPS ALL AREASa. PhysicalRunning, climbing, large motor movementsStrength & balancePuzzles, finger painting Develops control of small motor movements & muscles

31. b. Intellectuallysinging nursery rhymes, stacking blocks, Gather, organizing, & using info about worldSolving problems – puzzles, what fitsStimulating creativity & imagination

32. c. EmotionallyHelping children work through life’s problems & challengesActing out rolesSense of control & powerLearn to deal with sharing

33. d. SociallyParallel playPlaying beside each other, then playing together, sharing, taking turns, teachingCooperatingLeadership, friendly competition

34. e. SpirituallyThis is difficult to measureYou can teach morals, fairness, sharing etcRead Bible stories and implement them throughout play by role play and by moral lessons learned

35. H. Benefits of Play In A Nutshell1. helps children explore the world2. interacts with other sociallyGetting along with others, sharing3. solves problems in play settingIntellectual dev4. discover what they can doBuilds on earlier learning, self-esteem5. stimulates creativity & imagination6. feel a sense of control & powerSelf-esteem, daring to try new things

36. I. Guidelines for observing children1.One of the most effective ways to learn about children & their development is by watching thema. choose time & placeb. interact with themc. record what you observe – facts, not opiniond. watch how children react with other children & adultse. keep observation info confidentialRemember each child is a unique gift from God, each made in His image – each is different, but special

37. J. Influences on DevA. heredity

38. Physical traits inherited

39. Could affect natural abilities

40. B. environment

41. People, places, things that surround them

42. Would you be different than you are now if you had the same parents but grew up in a different household?

43. Which do you think influences development more, heredity or environment?