Principles of Child Development

1. Principles of Child Development

2. Activity How children view the world

3. Theories of Child Development • Psychologists define theory as a guide to help explain behavior. • Many theories are available about how children learn and process. • Erickson, Piaget, Vygotsky and Gardner

4. 12 Principles of Child Development Development and learning are complex and no one theory is sufficient. • Principles should be considered when making decisions about children • General principles taken from a review of the early childhood literature

5. Principle 1: Interrelatedness • Development in one domain influences and is influenced by development in other domains

6. Principle 2: Orderly Sequence • Development occurs in a relatively orderly sequence, with later abilities, skills, and knowledge building on those already acquired

7. Principle 3: Varying Rates • Development proceeds at varying rates from child to child as well as unevenly within different areas of each child’s functioning

8. Principle 4: Biological and Environmental • Development and learning result from interaction of biological maturation and the environment

9. Principle 5: Long Term Effects • Early experiences have both cumulative and delayed effects on individual children’s development; optimal periods exist for certain types of development and learning

10. Principle 6: Increasing Complexity • Development proceeds in predictable directions toward greater complexity, organization, and internalization

11. Principle 7: Needs Met • Children develop and learn best in the context of a community where they are safe and valued, their physical needs are met, and they feel psychologically secure.

12. Principle 8: Social and Cultural Influence • Development and learning occur in and are influenced by multiple social and cultural contexts

13. Principle 9: Active Learners • Children learn in variety of ways and with a wide range of teaching strategies and interactions.

14. Principle 10: Play • Play is an important vehicle for children’s development, as well as a reflection of their development

15. Principle 11: Practice and Challenge • Development advances when children have opportunities to practice newly acquired skills as well as when they experience a challenge just beyond the level of their present mastery

16. Principle 12: Experiences Affect Learning and Development • Children demonstrate different modes of knowing and learning and different ways of representing what they know

17. National Indicators of Children’s Well-Being • Many interconnected aspects of children’s well-being. • Indicators of influence resulting in a child being well-adjusted, economically secure, productive, educated and healthy.

18. Domains of Well-Being • Family and social environment • Economic circumstances • Health care

19. Domains of Well-Being • Physical environment and safety • Behavior • Education • General Health

20. Child Development: Principles, Theories, & Indicators • Basic child development information is fundamental to everyone’s well-being. • Helps professionals make sound decisions about care and education. • Understanding P, T, and I assist in interpreting experiences and milestones.

21. Child Development Questions