The Development Of A Child

Given the two optional sets of topics to choose from for this module, I was immediately drawn to choose choice 1. The goal is to cover my observations at the 1st two years of a child's life especially after gaining some experience with my children. Different concepts that we can apply to that child's behavior such as:

According to Psychologist Erik Erikson, the social and personality development of the infant includes trust versus distrust. Throughout the first two years of life, an infant goes through the first stage: If an infant stands well-nurtured and loved, trust will develop as well as a feeling of security plus a positive outlook upon their lives. If they stand not well nurtured and loved, they convert towards self-doubting and acquires toward mistrust others (Personality Development, n.d.). Infants develop attachments toward their caregivers whether being parents, other relatives or nannies. If the caregiver responds positively towards the child, they sense a conscious of security that the parent will provide encouragement when required. Insecure

It is essential that early years practitioners have a sound understanding of theories of child development so they can offer activities that are appropriate for the child’s particular stage of development (Early Education, 2012). This essay will compare and contrast key features of developmental theories by applying them to a particular aspect of child development, the aspect that will be investigated is language acquisition. This essay will consider differing theories of language development such as the behaviourist theory proposed by Skinner (1957), the cognitive theory proposed by Piaget (1959), the natavist theory proposed by Chomsky (1965) and the Social-interactionist theory proposed by theorists including Vygotsky (1962). One of the key debates amongst developmental theorists is the role that nature or nurture plays in cognitive development. This essay will consider the emphasis that these theories place on the role of nature or nurture and consequently the role of the adult or early year’s practitioner in supporting and enhancing language development. The Early Years Statutory Framework (EYSF) (DfE, 2012) states that ‘children need to develop their skills and confidence in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations’ (DfE, 2012), over the last ten years legislation has placed more and more importance on the development of communication skills in the early years.

Throughout the readings of chapters one and two of Development of Children and Adolescents, I obtained additional knowledge to add to my basic foundation from my previous psychology courses. Chapter one discussed development from a psychological perspective; on the other hand, chapter two analyzed the biological aspects of the human mind in order to grasp explanations for the population’s general function.

One of the theoretical approaches to children’s development is cognitive development. This is defined as being the changes in your mental abilities that happen as you grow, and focuses on cognition rather than other aspects such as personality and the surrounding environment. Doherty and Hughes (2014:38) explain this approach, saying that the cognitive area within the brain influences and impacts the way children initially view the world.

As you begin this module, identify and write a short account of your aims and aspirations. Elaborate on the strengths and personal qualities, which you bring to this module and outline those areas where you hope your learning and development will occur. (300 words)

The period of a child’s development is a critical time in their life. Their intellectual, physical, emotional, and social aspects develop during this time and can be easily influenced by those in the present environment. Our class was given the opportunity to observe Micah recorded at 3 years old and then again at 5. In the videos, he had just reached the pre-operational period and how he is fully immersed in it.

Baby raises head and chest when lying on stomach and supports its upper body with arms when lying on stomach they are able to stretch their legs out and kick when lying on their stomach or back. They are able to open and shut their hands, pushing down on their legs when their feet are placed on a firm surface. At this age sucking and grasping reflexes develop the baby is able to focus and follow objects with eyes and brings hand to mouth. They begin to take swipes at dangling objects with hands their movements become stronger. They learn to co-ordinate their movements. Most 18month olds usually walk by themselves (even though

Being able to make decisions is very significant in a growing child’s initial development. This speeds up their mental development and their personality. The simple act of selecting what color to paint the grass will rapidly speed up their decision making skills tremendously. Unlike much of the core curriculum in which accurate answer and instructions triumph, in the arts, it is ruling and creativity rather than rules that conquer; this generates a free mind in a child and that develops a basis to a new way of thinking. This will lead them down the road to be able to teach children that problems can have more than one solution in life. It clarifies to kids that in harder arrangements of problem solving purposes are infrequently fixed, but can alter with situation and opportunity. Learning in the arts requires ability and a willingness to surrender to the unanticipated possibilities of the work as it folds. (Eisner). The arts develop a sense of independence, and confidence within a child which can benefit them for years to come.

Urie Bronfenbrenner was a developmental psychologist whose theory of child development really spoke to me. Relating to the microsystem and mesosystem was extremely natural for me. The microsystem is made up of the people or groups you have direct contact with, such as a professor or family member. The mesosystem is the interactions that occur between the microsystems, such as there being a family issue but that issue effecting not only yourself but causing you to have trouble at school or work place.

This project investigates the effect which the playing of a musical instrument – namely the drums – has on one’s intelligence and academic ability. A search of the literature reveals that studies of this kind have been conducted by other researchers in many parts of the world and has led to the conclusion that music is an extremely healthy activity to be involved in.

Social scientists have given us several theories on child development. There have been three influential theories that have really shaped how we look at the subject. Each one of these theories offers an insightful perspective that has been very influential in how we view child development. The first theory, we will delve into is George Herbert Meads Theory of the Social Self which focused on social interaction with developing human beings. Meads believed that, “a symbolic interactionist, saw the self as the basis of humanity that develops not out of biological urges but from social interaction.”(Benokraitis pg338) Mead also believed that children were blank slates and that an infant’s interaction with people around them is how they begin to develop certain behaviors.

Lawrence Kohlberg was a developmental theorist who is best known for his specific and detailed theory of child development. Kohlberg believed that there were six stages of child development. He divided those stages into three levels of development. Level one; pre-conventional morality, a child doesn’t have a personal code of mortality and instead, their moral code is shaped by the standards of adults and the consequences of following or breaking of adult rules. Level two; conventional morality, adolescents and adults begin to internalize the moral standards of valued adult role models. Lastly level three; post conventional morality, an Individuals judgment is based on self-chosen principles and moral reasoning is based on individual’s rights and justice.

The twentieth century was a time where many people began exploring the most essential aspect of the human body, the brain. As we all know, the human brain is a powerful organ which consists of different components such as, the cortex and frontal lobes. These components are responsible in causing humans to exemplify certain behavior, and in creating distinctive personalities. Interestingly, these creative components in unison with the brain, is the reason several psychoanalysts within the twentieth century such as, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Eric Erikson, Karen Horney, Julian Rotter, Marvin Zuckerman, and Martin Seligman, has decided to delve into the deeper aspects of personality. While analyzing this creative aspect also known as the

By observing the children at the child development center, I learned and saw many ways that the center is helping young children develop. From the toys that are there and all the hands on experiences they have really seemed to help the children. When I first got the CDC, the children were just coming in from recess and were getting ready for learning and then snack/play time. I mainly observed the one side of the classroom with the younger kids. These kids were very talkative and they were eager to learn. Their lesson for the day was about pumpkins. The teacher asked many different questions so the kids could participate and it was very noticeable that the kids learned well this way and they enjoyed it. Throughout this paper, I will talk about the different developmental stages that a young child goes through and also what kind of toys helps children develop. I will also explain how the children learn and the different things that help them throughout their earlier years. I have changed all names that appear in my paper for the protection of the children.