HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Beginning your study of children, Sec. 1-1Understanding childhood, Sec. 1-2

WHY IS CHILDHOOD IMPORTANT?

Many believe it’s the most important stage of life

Early years are when the brain is developing connections between nerve cells that allow it to think and control the body

The links made promote mental, physical, social and emotional skills

BENEFITS OF PLAY

Physical – Large motor skills learned through jumping, running,

riding a bike. Small motor skills learned through making puzzles,

finger painting and stringing beads. Social – Children learn to play together; take

turns and work together. Emotional – Role play helps children work through

life’s challenges, lessening their frustrations. Moral – Valuable lessons about right and wrong.

Learn to follow rules and act fairly towards others.

Intellectual – Simple games provide mental development; sorting, colors, shapes, etc.

GROUP ACTIVITY

Think about an activity you enjoyed as a child. Talk to your partners about these activities and then decide on one to focus on.

Discuss: How did playing _______ benefit you? List the benefits received from this activity in 3 out of the 5 areas we discussed.

Time: 5 minutes

UNDERSTANDING CHILDHOOD

Child development largely ignored until the 1900s

Since then we have many researchers, with different theories on how development occurs

5 PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT

Is similar for everyone Children go through the same stages in the same

order. The pace may be different, but sequence is the same.

Builds on earlier learningo Learn to walk before you can learn to run

o Proceeds at an individual rateo Rate of growth differs for each child

o Different areas are interrelatedo Changes and growth occurs simultaneously in

multiple areaso Is continuous throughout life

INFLUENCES ON DEVELOPMENT

Heredity – blood type, eye color, hair color Born with these traits

Environment – people, places, things Attitudes and ways of doing things learned

throughout your life Cultural, religious, family structure

Which is more influential? Nature vs. Nurture Debate

Venn Diagram

ADOLESCENCE

Particularly challenging developmental tasks Important time of growth and change Self-Esteem is an important resource at this time

Finding your identity Becoming independent Planning for your life’s work

Does development end after adolescense? Given what we have learned about heredity

and environment, do you think this stage is a good time to become a parent?

WRAP UP

Questions? Answer Essential Questions