This document provides an overview of child and adolescent development for teachers. It discusses the significance of understanding development theories from Piaget, Vygotsky and Gardner in the context of teaching. It summarizes key stages of cognitive, social-emotional, physical and moral development from ages 5 to 18. It also provides resources on brain research, growth mindset, social-emotional learning and more to inform instructional practices.

1. Child And
Adolescent
Development

2. Purpose of the Session •To consider the significance of
understanding child development
in the context of teaching and
learning
•To become acquainted with
significant developmental
theories
•To understand a general overview
of developmental trends in
children ages 5 - 18

3. Elements Shaping Instruction
School
Mission
Physical
Environment
The
Curriculum
TheTeacher

4. So who are the children we teach?
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/apps-and-preschoolers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul9c-4dX4Hk
http://www.ted.com/talks/thomas_suarez_a_12_year_old_app_developer
http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-profile-virginia-video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BMYTD-n26s

5. Cognitive Development
• Piaget
•Children develop in predictable
stages
•Thinking develops from
concrete to abstract
•Vygotsky
•Scaffolding
•Zone of Proximal
Development
•Self Regulation

6. Current Research on the Brain & Intelligence
• Howard Gardner
•Intelligence isn’t fixed
•Intelligence is expressed in
many ways
•Center for the Developing
Child, Harvard University
•Development of Neuro
pathways
•Brain Plasticity
•John Medina
•Strategies to promote optimal
brain development

7. Resources for Cognitive
Development
 For more onVygotsky -
http://www.toolsofthemind.org/philosophy/vygotskian-
approach/
 For an overview of Piaget’s theories -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxo8zkgd07E
 For more on Howard Gardner & Multiple IntelligencesTheory -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2QtSbP4FRg
 More on Multiple Intelligences -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wkFGXqJxas
 Book on MI –Thomas Armstrong (2009), Multiple Intelligences
in the Classroom

8. For More on Brain Research & Learning
 http://www.edutopia.org/brain-based-learning-key-largo-
school-video
 For a list of excellent articles -
http://www.edutopia.org/article/brain-based-learning-
resource-roundup
 Book on maximizing brain growth & development – John
Medina (2014), Brain Rules
 Social Emotional Learning &The Brain -
http://www.edutopia.org/richard-davidson-sel-brain-video

9. Personal and Social Development

10. Moral Development

11. Growth Mindset

12. For More on Social Emotional Learning
 For information on SEL Classroom Management-
http://www.edutopia.org/stw-sel-classroom-management-
resources
 Resources for developing a thriving social emotional classroom
community (elementary
grades)https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/ and (middle
grades) http://www.originsonline.org/developmental-designs
 For a list of excellent articles on growth mindset-
http://www.edutopia.org/resilience-grit-resources
 Growth Mindset Curriculum - http://www.stepitup2thrive.org

13. Physical Development
 Age 5 – Age 10 – development of motor skills,
need approximately 10 hours sleep, difficulty
balancing high & low periods of energy, muscle
coordination is uneven and incomplete, eyes
reach maturity
 Ages 10 – 14 – onset of puberty, rapid growth in
height & weight, uneven development among
peers, need 9 – 10 hours of sleep
 Ages 14 – 18 – boys still reaching adult height,
shift in ratio of body fat to muscle mass

14. For More on Physical Development
 http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-
stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-
Development-of-School-Age-Children.aspx
 Article - A Fit Body Means a Fit Mind -
http://www.edutopia.org/exercise-fitness-brain-benefits-
learning
 Article - Active Bodies Lead to Active Minds -
http://www.edutopia.org/teaching-physical-activity
 Article – Teaching Kids About Healthy Eating & Avoiding
Obesity - http://www.edutopia.org/blog/tackle-obesity-
schools-students-healthcorps

15. DEFEND | CONNECT |
INFORM
The mission of SAIS is to provide leadership, accreditation
services and professional development resources that will
strengthen member schools as they fulfill their missions.
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