Caring for School-Age Children Chapter 6 Development in Middle Childhood: Psychosocial Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Theories of Psychosocial Development Psychoanalytic theory, Sigmund Freud Five stage theory, birth through adolescence Unconscious drives affect behavior Attachment and gender identity are important Theory is part of historical understanding of development Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. Psychosocial theory, Erik Erikson Eight stage theory, through the entire lifespan Each stage is characterized by a developmental crisis Emphasis on one’s relationship to social environment Contemporary theory, more widely accepted than Freud’s theory Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Implications for Child Care Staff Members Adults help children resolve conflicts inherent in each stage of development Include families in decisions concerning children’s problem behaviors Support children’s need for competence by providing opportunities to acquire new skills and practice already acquired skills Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. Support children’s need to be independent by allowing them time to make choices and do things without adult intervention Let children know their competence and responsibility are valued Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. Moral Development Jean Piaget Early school years: rules are created by authority figures and cannot be changed Age 7 or 8: changing ideas about authority and the fairness of punishments Age 11 or 12: children can discuss moral issues and change rules Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. Lawrence Kohlberg Moral thinking develops along with development of cognitive skills Three levels with two stages in each level Stages for school-age children Might makes right Satisfy your own needs Good behavior is that which others approve and reward Obedience to laws Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. Evaluation of Kohlberg’s Theory Study done only on males, females are socialized differently Study used hypothetical situations, not typically daily circumstances children confront Reflects western values and may not apply to other cultures Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Implications for Child Care Staff Members Involve children in solving moral dilemmas Provide opportunities to interact with children and adults of different age groups Accept individual and family value systems Model the kind of behavior expected of children Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.