Early Childhood Development Feel free to chat with each other. We will start class at 9:00 PM ET! Seminar Six: Social and Cognitive Development of the Toddler

Let’s Get Acquainted How do you like your water? Lemon…lime…nothing. Who has it easier: Girls or Boys? In a long line do you: look at your watch, mumble and complain out loud, or wait patiently? What is your first name spelled backward?

Notable Quotables “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” --Leo Buscaglia “Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole, which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future.” –M.Montessori

Things to do Unit 6 Complete the Readings – a total of 19 pages from the e-text. Read web resources (2 articles: “Why Social Skills Are Key to Learning” & “8 Tools For Toddler Discipline” Participate in Discussion: Keeping in mind that young children process information differently, what interesting materials and experiences might promote cognitive and language growth? Add the role of books in emerging literacy skills. Participate in Seminar Complete Graded Review

Thing to Do (Continued) Complete Graded Review before Tuesday at midnight. Attend seminar or complete the option 2 assignment and submit by Tuesday.

Tips for Perfect DB Scores In the first seminar I offered the following pointers for earning full points on the DB:  DO post discussion early in the week and on different days (this stimulates deeper discussion for the class).  DO discuss the assigned readings and findings as part of your DB entry.  Do NOT offer all posts on Tuesday night at the last minute.  Do NOT offer 1 sentence responses to peers.

Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory: Autonomy Versus Shame and Doubt Develop trust in environment Develop trust in caregivers Develop trust in self Results in independence (Black & Puckett, 2009)

Pro-social Behaviors Kindness Sympathy Generosity Helpfulness Sense of unfairness (Black & Puckett, 2005)

Multiple Intelligence Theory Interpersonal IQ: People skills Intrapersonal IQ: In touch with feelings Spatial IQ: visually perceptive Bodily-kinesthetic IQ: manipulates objects and body movements Musical IQ: talented musically (Black & Puckett, 2009)

Thinking….hmm… Has difficulty organizing thoughts into words Has difficulty retelling events Impulsive Difficulty distinguishing reality from fantasy Takes things literally Displays an age-appropriate level of logic and reasoning (Black & Puckett, 2009)

More IQ’s Linguistic IQ: skills in word usage and meanings. Can be verbal or written skills. Logical-mathematical IQ: likes figures, patterns, or logical equations. Naturalist IQ: relate to plants, animals, or nature. Spiritual IQ: relate to mysteries of life. Existential IQ: ability to locate oneself in the cosmos (Black & Puckett, 2009)

How are you smart? Visit the website below and take a brief quiz that will determine your strengths and how you are smart. Another site you might find helpful Discussion of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, great handouts, and access to free tests Come back ready to share!

How do young children think? Sensory input Egocentric Relies on labels for meaning Relates new learning to past experiences (Remember Piaget & Vygotsky). Just beginning to understand the relationship between cause and effect (Black & Puckett, 2009)

How can interactive play help children to learn social and cognitive skills (prosocial behaviors)?

Children learn to……. Play and work with others Make choices and encounter the consequences of those choices Figure out how to enter play situations with others Negotiate social conflicts with language Develop other skills that characterize socially competent human beings (Bredekamp & Copple, 1997, p. 118)

What are some examples of ways (or activities) to help toddlers develop healthy social skills?

Ways …. Teacher/Parent Role Facilitate positive interactions Helping children make choices Promoting entry into play groups Helping negotiate conflicts Promoting self control Environment and curriculum (Preusse, 2008)

How can we support the natural desire that the toddler has for independence?

Ways to promote independence … Allow the toddler to pick his own clothes. Allow the toddler to try new things even if he might make mistakes. Try not to be dominant while playing with a toddler. Any other ideas?

Describe some behaviors of toddlers and the challenge they present to care givers.

Challenges … Temper Tantrums Terrible Twos - "No!" being the most used word Emerging independence Bites or hits (The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, 2011).

References Black, J.K., & Puckett, M.P., (2009). The young child: Development from prebirth through age eight. Fourth Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc Bredekamp, S., & Copple, C. (Eds.; 1997). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs. Washington, DC: NAEYC. Jupiter Images Corporation, (2007). Clipart.com. Retrieved August 28, 2007 from website: Segal, M., Bardige, B., Woika, M., Leinfelder, J., (2006). All about child care and early education: A comprehensive resource for child care professionals. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.