Reflection On Child Development

I set goals for all the children in my care and we are constantly working toward them each day. When I began this project with the child I set them goals after I seen they were capable of completing the present goal. I think the benefits form this is a positive step forward for the children and their learning goals.

There are many different theories of development that help us to understand children’s behaviour, reactions and ways of learning. All equally important as they influence practice. To begin with there is Piaget’s constructivist theories which look at the way in which children seem to be able to make sense of their world as a result of their experiences and how they are active learners. He also suggested that as children develop so does their thinking. Piaget’s work has influenced early years settings into providing more hands on and relevant tasks for children and young people. In other words the children are ‘learning through play’. Teachers are working out the needs of children and plan activities accordingly.

There have been many theorists who have opposing views on how and why children behave and how they learn. I will discuss 4 theorists, their theories and how they have influenced and shaped work with children.

The preschool is concerned with the child at different developmental stages (Berger, 2009). Teacher must ask herself two questions about the child at those stages. Firstly, how does the child think about and view his world? Secondly, what learning tasks should the child be given at this point in his development? To answer the questions, the teacher must orient herself to Piagetian developmental theory and sharpen her observational skills.

Describe the expected pattern of children and young people's development from birth to 19 years, to include:

* They begin in some instances to feed themselves, though lacking the needed coordination, resulting in a lot of mess.

Theories of development are very important as these theories and frameworks can heavily influence current practice and help us to understand the complexities of children’s behaviours their reactions and can also help us figure out different and new ways of learning. Starting with the constructivist approach (piaget). Piaget worked

Observer visited a play place of a restaurant in New Jersey, Hackensack. Why I have chosen the place is easy to observe every part of child development such as cognitive, social emotional, language as well as physical at the same time. Observer performed the observation on April 28 from 1 pm to 3pm. The child was an Asian boy. He has strait short black hair with dark brown eyes and thin black eye brows. His height looked around 37 inches that he may be a little smaller than other early childhood children. He looks thin and has a full set of teeth inside his mouth, full cheeks, and a small button nose.

The adults in the room talk to children on their level, meaning that when an adult must say what a child did wrong, they make sure that they get down on their level, and talk to them in a calm yet firm manner. They promoted the well-being of the children by engaging in play that was challenging for them, but with the help of the teachers, it became possible. This is supported by Vygotsky’s theory of the zone of proximal development, which is the concept of seeing what a child can do with help, and what a child cannot yet do (Berk, 2013). A specific example of this is when a child was trying to complete a puzzle, and the teacher showed them how to complete the difficult puzzle, and then the child, with some occasional help from the teacher, was able to complete this puzzle. This will help support the child’s development because it helps the child overcome challenges.

Theorists such as Piaget, Vygotsky and Bruner give light on the complex world of children and empower practitioners to interpret and analyze their observations more effectively (Nutbrown, 2006). Piaget promoted the importance of child’s development, theory which is initially developed from observations made on his own three children. His theory focuses in how children adapt to their environments as they actively seeks out ways to understand it (Piaget, 1954). In contrast to Piaget, who concentrated on the individual child’s learning and development, both Vygotsky and Bruner emphasized the child’s social interactions with significantly more knowledge than others such as adults and peers.

Over the past eight weeks this class has not only fulfilled my major requirements, but also made me understand more about the complexity of child development and how I can become a better person as a future parent and educator. Since I am an Education major, the four topics that would benefit me in the future are Erikson’s stages, Induction, Educational Self Fulfilling Philosophy, and Adolescence. I plan to be successful with my career and use what I have learned in Child Development to prepare future’s leaders of tomorrow.

Childhood development encompasses the cognitive, physical, social, moral and emotional changes from birth until the end of adolescence (White, Hayes & Livesey, 2013). Throughout childhood, environment and genetics promote or discourage growth and development. This essay will analyse the cognitive, physical, social, moral and emotional domains in relativity to my own development from the prenatal stage until adolescence. Psychological and environmental theories are used to develop the understanding and connection between each domain and stage of development. Lastly, this essay will address the controversial nature verses nurture debate and its relevance to my childhood development.

There are multiple factors in a child’s development. Parents have a responsibility, as well as a privilege, to contribute to every milestone. Most parents stress over physical and mental stages so much so that play-time is ignored. By making decisions that sacrifice play parents hinder their social development. Parents must take action and encourage their youth to play more, before childhood is lost forever.

This semester in Child Development has helped me a great deal. I came into this class wanting to be a Child Development teacher at the high school level. I am leaving this class with the same ambition to become a Child Development teacher. I have learned so much by taking this class and I know it will all be helpful in the future once I am standing at the front of a classroom. Also, just by watching the way Mary teaches the class, I have learned things that I want to take into my own style of teaching.

Compare and contrast a child from younger age group with a child from an older age group.