An Introduction to Child Development

Chapter 1 Section 2Studying Children

Child Development is the study of how children grow in different ways – physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

What is Child Development?

Development refers to the changes over time in the structure, thought, or behaviour of a person as a result of both biological and environmental influences. Usually, these changes are progressive and cumulative (they build on one another) and they generally result in increasing: body size, complexity of activity, and integration of organization and function.

Some development, such as prenatal growth, is primary biological, while other development, such as emotional growth, depends mainly on the environment.

Most development, however can not be categorized as either biological or environmental, because it involves the interaction of both elements.

A Note About Development

Two main influences on development are:

Heredity: the biological transfer of characteristics that are physically inherited from previous generations.

Environment: the people, places, and things that surround and influence an individual.

A Note About Development cont…

An example of the complexity of the factors affecting development:◦A parent and child may both be overweight. Is the tendency

toward obesity inherited, or is the weight problem a result of dietary patterns and habits learned in the family?

In general, heredity sets the limits, while environment determines how far toward the limits the person will go.

A Note About Development cont…

Nature vs. Nurture

NATURE NURTURE

Nature vs. Nurture

Blood Type

NATURE NURTURE

Eye Colour

Hair Colour

Family

Home

School

Community

Physical Development Social Development Emotional Development Intellectual Development

Types of Development:

Physical Development is the change in physical size (growth) and development of physical abilities and skills involving muscles in the body.

Physical Development:

Social Development is the process of learning to interact with others and to express oneself to others.

Social Development:

Emotional Development is the process of learning to recognize and express one’s feelings and learning to establish one’s identity and individuality.

Emotional Development:

Intellectual Development is the increasing ability to interpret or understand everyday situations and to use that experience when faced with new situations through problem solving. ◦Also referred to as cognitive or mental development

Intellectual Development:

Looking at the group of scholars we’ve researched, consider the contributions that each have provided to the field of child development.◦Connect one scholar to each type of development as their focus

(Physical, Social, Emotional, and Intellectual)◦What do you think motivated the study of their specific

research, experiments, or theories?

◦Write why you connected each scholar to that type of development and state your ideas on their motives.

Growth of the Study

Development is similar for everyone.◦ all go through same stages in approx. same order.

Development builds on earlier learning.◦ learning sequentially; each skill builds on the last.

Development proceeds at an individual rate.◦ all follow similar pattern, but rate and style is unique to each.

The different areas of development are interrelated.◦many types of changes happen at once, they’re connected and

interact within one another. Development is continuous throughout life.◦ sometimes rapid, sometimes slow, but it does not stop.

Characteristics of Development

Discussion:◦ Are parents today more or less likely to raise their children as

they themselves were raised? Why? Why not?

Discuss with a partner and share your ideas with the class.

Development is similar for everyone.

Considering sequences of development:◦ Select 3 different skills; then, for each skill, write up a

sequence of earlier skills on which the final skill is based.

Work with a partner and share your ideas with the class.

Development builds on earlier learning.

Discussion:◦How might the safety of a child be affected by their rate of

development? Example: Some children at age 3 might be able to use playground

equipment independently, while others may not be physically developed enough and may need assistance and careful watching.

Brainstorm other examples by pairing up partners (groups of 4) Share your ideas with the class.

Development proceeds at an individual rate.

Brainstorm a list of 5 skills or abilities that are learned by incorporating various types of development.◦ State how each type of development contributes.

◦Work in your groups of 4, share your findings with the class.

The different areas of development are interrelated.

On your own:◦Make a list of 5 skills that your have learned within the last

year.

◦Add, to this list, 3 skills you’d like to develop in the near future.

From this list, choose 1 and discuss how the 5 characteristics of development play(ed) a part in your development of this skill.

Development is continuous throughout life.

Temperament: A person’s characteristic modes of responding emotionally and behaviorally to environmental events, including such attributes as activity level, irritability, fearfulness, and sociability.

◦Hereditary influences Twin studies (identical vs. fraternal) have provided convincing

evidence to temperament being based on genetic influences.

◦Environmental influences Home environment has been found to be impactful on temperament.

Heredity and Emotional Development

Parameters of Temperament◦Activity Level◦ Irritability/Negative Emotionality◦Soothability◦Fearfulness◦Sociability

Heredity and Emotional Development

Generally speaking, temperament is found to be relatively stable over time and often seen as the cornerstone of human personality development. Researchers (Thomas and Chess, 1977) identified Temperament profiles

◦ Easy Temperament Easygoing children are even-tempered, are typically in a positive mood, and are quite

open and adaptable to new experiences. Their habits are regular and predictable.

◦ Difficult Temperament These children are active, irritable, and irregular in their habits. They often react very

vigorously to changes in routine and are very slow to adapt to new persons or situations.

◦ Slow-to-warm-up Temperament These children are quite inactive, somewhat moody, and can be slow to adapt to new

persons and situations. They typically respond to novelty in mildly negative ways

Heredity and Emotional Development