Introduction to child studies

1. Introduction to child studies

2. Child Development • Why do we study child development? • Write down your opinion.

3. Child Development • Definition: • Change in the child that occurs over time. Changes follow an orderly pattern that moves toward greater complexity and enhances survival. • Periods of development: • Prenatal period: from conception to birth • Infancy and toddlerhood: birth to 2 years • Early childhood: 2-6 years old • Middle childhood: 6-12 years old • Adolescence: 12-19 years old

4. What has changed over time with children in the areas of: • Health • Education • Love • Work • Child play

8. Unschooling

9. Unschooling is a generic term for a form of homeschooling in which, loosely speaking, education happens without the use of a schedule, curriculum, testing and grades. Unschooling is child-led education, so if the child chooses to go to school, they are still unschooled, as they were not coerced or persuaded to go there, but chose to do so of their own free will. Unschooling is the rejection of an imposed education. http://unschooling.ca/

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuhfhRLwTB0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuOyJ8C6mZM&feature=related

11. Theories • Theories are ideas about development.

12. Examples of theoriesDo not write this • 6th - 15th centuriesMedieval period • Children were cared for until they could begin caring for themselves, around 7 years old. • Children treated as adults (e.g. their clothing, worked at adult jobs, could be married, were made into kings, were imprisoned or hanged as adults.)

13. 16th CenturyReformation period • Children were born evil, and must be civilized. • A goal emerged to raise children effectively. • Special books were designed for children.

14. UrieBronfenbrenner • Both the environment and biology influence the child's development. • The environment affects the child and the child influences the environment.

15. Jean Piaget • Children "construct" their understanding of the world through their active involvement and interactions

16. Social Learning Theory Albert Bandura • Stressed how children learn by observation and imitation. • Believed that children gradually become more selective in what they imitate.

17. Theories • Theories are ideas about development. • Which theories do you agree with?

18. Influences on development • Heredity – biological transfer of certain characteristics • Environment - the people, places, and things that surround and influence a person.

19. Characteristics of development • Development is similar for each individual. • Babies lift their head before they lift their bodies. • Development builds upon earlier learning. ex. Words than sentences • Development proceeds at an individual rate. • The different areas of development are interrelated. • Body, mind, emotions • Development is a lifelong process.

20. Six Ways Children Grow • Physical • Language • Psychological • Ethical • Social • Cognitive • Undergoing biological changes • Communicating wants, needs and understandings • Developing a sense of self, uniqueness & worth • Distinguishing right from wrong • Building productive relationships and perspectives • Capacity for logic, reason and creative thought

21. What are some things that could keep a child from growing in those six ways?

22. Your opinion • Do children around the world develop the same? • Do children around the world have the same basic needs?

23. Environment • List 5 significant events in the lives of children that could be considered environmental influences on children’s development. • What effect would each of these events have on a child’s development? • Why would the event be important to the child?

24. Review • Why do we study child development? • What were some early theories about child development? • What are two things that affect child development?