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Studying Children

Studying Children. Imagine spending your entire career doing research on child development. Generate a list of topics that should be covered. By the time you retire, do you think you could solve all of it’s mysteries?. Objectives:. Explain why childhood is an important time of development

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Studying Children

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  1. Studying Children Imagine spending your entire career doing research on child development. Generate a list of topics that should be covered. By the time you retire, do you think you could solve all of it’s mysteries?

  2. Objectives: • Explain why childhood is an important time of development • Compare and contrast the leading theories about how children develop • Identify five characteristics of child development • Defend the idea that heredity and environment are equally important in child development • List stages of development after adulthood • Describe how self-esteem and development are interrelated

  3. Why is Childhood Crucial? • Time of preparation for adulthood • Early childhood is most important life stage for brain development

  4. Brain Development • At birth, the brain is the least developed organ • Baby’s brain is about ¼ the size of an adults • Babies’ brains develop in response to stimulation • Arousal of baby’s five senses • Develop more quickly and have a more secure self-image

  5. Developing Brain • Newborns’ brains contain about 100 billion nerve cells – neurons • Neurons have about 50 trillion connections • Connections increase rapidly • By 3, a child has twice as many connections as an adult • As a child matures, unused pathways are eliminated • Babies who are stimulated more retain more connections

  6. Theories About Development • Provided valuable information about how children learn and develop skills • Not everyone agrees on how theories and research finding should be applied • Have given insight about how best to nurture and educate children • Laid the foundation for future researchers to build upon

  7. 5 Characteristics of Development • Development is similar for each individual • Ex. Babies will lift their heads before lifting their bodies • Development builds upon early learning • Development follows a sequence • Skills learned at one stage build on those mastered earlier

  8. 5 Characteristics of Development • Development proceeds at an individual rate • Each child moves at their own pace • Different areas of development are interrelated • Changes occur in many areas at the same time – body, mind, emotions • Development is a lifelong process • Rate of development varies, but never stops

  9. Lifelong Growth and Development • Human life cycle – development from birth to death • Each stage of cycle present different challenges or skills to be acquired – Developmental tasks • Mastering the task at one stage prepare people for the next

  10. Development Beyond Childhood • Adolescences – between childhood and adulthood • Creating an identity, becoming independent, pursuing education and career options • Young Adult – twenties • Finish education, begin working, marriage • Thirties • Establishing roots, reevaluating life choices, finding stability

  11. Development Beyond Childhood • Middle Age – 40 to 55 • Children become more independent • Satisfaction with life? If not, make changes • Late Adult – 55 to 75 • Retirement, grandchildren, health issues may arise • Very Late Adult – 75+ • Health problems become more common • Contribute knowledge and expertise to society

  12. Role of Self - Esteem • Self-esteem – value people place on themselves (self-worth) • Affects people’s ability to face challenges at each developmental stage • Lower self esteem = poor school performance, truancy, criminal behavior • Higher self esteem = enthusiasm for learning, form friendships, make healthy choices • Help’s children deal with life’s frustrations, disappointments & successes

  13. Tips to Help Children Develop Self-Esteem • Give Praise • Don’t be Overly Critical • Set Realistic Goals • Encourage New Activities • Model Self-Esteem • Be Honest About Mistakes

  14. Think About It: • Identify characteristics of someone with high self-esteem. Then with low self-esteem. • Think of a time when someone’s criticism lowered your self-esteem. How might that person have encouraged you instead?

  15. Summary: • Childhood is a time of preparation for adulthood. • Much of the brain’s development occurs early in life, and stimulation furthers brain development. • Although no theorists agree on the development of children each has provided us with insight on how to nurture and educate them. • Development doesn’t stop. It continues throughout our entire life cycle. • Self-esteem plays a major role in how a child develops.

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