Most influential Theorists of Child Development

1. Most influential Theorists of Child Development

2. Theorist: Definition the·o·ry • noun \ˈthē-ə-rē, ˈthir-ē\ : an idea or set of ideas that is intended to explain facts or events • : an idea that is suggested or presented as possibly true but that is not known or proven to be true • : the general principles or ideas that relate to a particular subject the·o·rist • noun \ˈthē-ə-rist, ˈthir-ist\ : a person who forms theories about something

3. Theories and Theorists: Overview • Over the years, people who study children have created theories to explain how children develop. While these theorists realize that every child is special and grow in his or her unique way, they also have recognized that there are general patterns children tend to follow as they grow up, and they have documented these patterns in their theories. • Though many scientists and researchers have approached the study of child development over the last hundred or so years, only a few of the theories that have resulted have stood the test of time and have proven to be widely influential. • No one theory has proved adequate to describe and explain learning or development

4. Sigmund Freud Memory Hook: “Stairs Fall” Ideas: • Personality develops through stages • Emotional experiences in childhood affect adulthood

5. Freud Significance: • early experiences affect adult life

6. Freud: Examples • Children who are abused may become violent, withdrawn, abusive • A child who falls down stairs might become afraid of heights

7. Freud: Class Discussion What are some examples you can think of?

8. Jean Piaget Memory Hook: • “Four Stages” • (4 letters in first name) Ideas: • Children go through 4 Stages of thinking 0-2 years old: Sensorimotor 2- 7 years old: Preoperational 7- 11 years old: Concrete Operational Stage 11years old – older: Formal Operational

9. Piaget Significance: • Children should be given tasks that are suitable for their stage of thinking

10. Piaget: Examples • A 2-year-old should not be expected to put together a 20-piece puzzle • A 3-year-old should not be expected to read

11. Piaget: Class Discussion What are some examples you can think of?

12. Lev Vygotsky Memory Hook: • “Lots of Variety Ideas: • Biology and culture influence thinking and learning • Social contact is essential

13. Vygotsky Significance: • Children should have many opportunities for social interaction to develop intellectually

14. Vygotsky: Examples • Play with children of different backgrounds and cultures • Participate in group sports and activities

15. Vygotsky: Class Discussion What are some examples you can think of?

16. Erik Erikson Memory Hook: • Personality develops through Eight Stages Ideas: • Meet psychological crisis in a positive way

17. Erikson Significance: • Parents must be aware of & sensitive to a child’s needs at a particular stage

18. Erikson: Example • Accept temper tantrums as normal for toddlers; remain calm

19. Erikson: Class Discussion What are some examples you can think of?

20. B.F. Skinner Memory Hook: • “Smile/Stickers” • “Spanking” Ideas: • Behavior repeats if rewarded • Behavior stops if punished

21. Skinner Experiment Click on photo for video clip (4:09 minutes)

22. Skinner Significance: • Caregivers can use rewards and punishments to try to influence a child’s behavior

23. Skinner: Examples • When a child swears and the parent laughs (reward), the child will swear again • Time Out (punishment)

24. Skinner: Class Discussion What are some examples you can think of?

25. Urie Bronfenbrenner • Memory Hook: • “Bron-fen-brenner” • (Sectioned/Layers) • Ideas: • Layers of environment • Biology, family, society

26. Bronfenbrenner Significance: • Stable relationships between child and caregiver.

27. Bronfenbrenner: Example • A caregivers take an active role such as attending parent-teacher conferences, watching games, this results in positive overall growth. • If two sets of caretakers disagree on how to raise the child, conflicting views, this will hinder the child's growth.

28. Bronfenbrenner: Class Discussion What are some examples you can think of?

29. Albert Bandura Memory Hook: • Adult Behavior • “Bobo” the clown experiment Ideas: • Children imitate what they see modeled

30. Bandura & the Bobo Doll Click on photo for video clip (3:22 minutes)

31. Bandura Significance: • Since children learn by modeling, caregivers must provide good examples.

32. Bandura: Examples • If a child sees adults giving to less fortunate people, he may grow to become charitable • If a parent throws garbage out the car window, a child may not recycle

33. Bandura: Class Discussion What are some examples you can think of?

34. Maria Montessori Memory Hook: • “Manipulate & My Choice” Ideas: • Children learn best by pursuing their interests • Children learn by using their senses

35. Montessori Significance: • Children need objects to manipulate so they can exercise sensory learning

36. Montessori Schools • Emphasis on independence • Freedom within limits • Mixed age classrooms • Student choice of activity from • Uninterrupted blocks of work time • Students learn concepts from working – discovery

37. Montessori: Example Popcorn • Sight & Touch: seeds & popped kernels • Hear: popping • Smell & Taste: popped kernels

38. Montessori: Class Discussion What are some examples you can think of?

39. Robert Coles Memory Hook: • “Right Choices” Idea: • Adult behavior influences a child’s moral development

40. Coles Significance: • For children to adopt moral learning, parents must show moral behavior.

41. Coles: Examples • An adult who returns money to a person who dropped it models honesty • A parent who says “I’m not home” when the phone rings models lying

42. Coles: Class Discussion What are some examples you can think of?

43. Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligences Theory • We will cover this theory later in the semester