The Developing Child I Chapter 1 Study Guide

1. When a caregiver gives them lots of stimulation Section 1-1: Beginning Your Study of Children 1. In what two ways are the connections between nerve cells formed in children’s brains? 1. When a caregiver gives them lots of stimulation 2. Through play

2. In what five ways do children benefit from play? Physically Socially Emotionally Morally Intellectually

How can you benefit from studying children? 1. you can better understand children 2. you gain skills 3. you can learn about yourself 4. you can build for the future as a parent or in a child-related career

To have reasonable expectations 4. Why would it help a caregiver to understand the behaviors that are appropriate for a child of a certain age? To have reasonable expectations

Section 1-2: Understanding Childhood 5. In what sense is childhood a recent discovery, even though there have always been children? Only recently have people realized that children are not little adults but are in an important stage of life.

6. Give examples of the differences between childhood in the past and today. Gender neutral clothes Children worked in factories Lack of nutrition Died young Diseases Few toys and not much play Expected to act like adults

7. Briefly describe findings of each of the following theorists of child development. A. Freud: personality develops through a series of stages B. Montessori: children learn by using senses and pursuing interests C. Piaget: children learn by going through 4 stages D. Coles: studied moral development, stresses importance of the role of parents

8. What do the pathways in the brain do? Give the brain control over the body

9. Identify approximately when the brain begins to control the following functions: A. Motor development – before birth B. Vision – in the first year C. Vocabulary – in the first year

10. Explain in your own words what the following characteristics of development mean. A. Development is similar for everyone: children go through the same stages of development at about the same time. Eg. Sitting up, crawling, walking

B. Development builds on earlier learning: Children learn simple tasks that serve as a foundation for learning more difficult tasks. Eg. Reading – learn letters first, write them, put letters together, make sounds

C. Development proceeds at an individual rate: The rates of development are only averages; each child acquires skills at a unique pace.

D. The different areas of development are interrelated: changes in one area affect the other areas. Eg. Socially, emotionally, intellectually, physically, morally

E. Development is continuous throughout life: even adults are changing!

11. Name two major influences on development and give an example of each. 1. heredity 2. environment

12. What are three developmental tasks of adolescence? 1. Finding an identity 2. Becoming independent 3. Planning for life’s work

1. Middle life: establishing roots (in the thirties) 13. What are the developmental tasks of different stages of adulthood, and when do they typically take place? 1. Middle life: establishing roots (in the thirties) 2. Reevaluating life (forties) 3. Finding stability and peace (fifties) 4. Late life: Coming to terms with life (sixties on)

14. What are the benefits of observing children? Section 1-3: Observing Young Children 14. What are the benefits of observing children? 1. to better understand their development 2. to identify ways of meeting a particular child’s needs 3. to identify children with special needs 4. to get feedback on your caregiving

15. Which is the most useful way of writing observations? Why? Objectives are more useful because they list facts, not feelings

16. Describe each type of observation record and explain when to use it. A. Running record: Writing down everything you observe about a child group, or teacher. When getting to know a child or group. When analyzing a certain area of development.

B. Anecdotal record Writing down everything you observe about a behavior. In studying a particular issue.

C. Frequency count Count of how often a child does a certain behavior. Before and after efforts to change behavior.

D. Developmental checklist List of skills a child should have at given age. In evaluating child’s development.

17. Where should you position yourself and how should you act when observing? Position yourself near enough to see but away from the children. You should act so as not to call attention to yourself

18. Explain confidentiality in connection with observation records. Information in observation records is confidential and should only be shown to child’s main caregivers or child development teacher

19. Name three levels of jobs and give examples of each. Section 1-4: Working with Children 19. Name three levels of jobs and give examples of each. 1. entry level 2. paraprofessional 3. professional

20. How can you learn about careers? 1. gathering information from a library or the Internet 2. from people you know 3. through work experience

21. What factors can you use to evaluate a career? 1. tasks and responsibilities 2. work with data, people or things 3. work environment 4. working hours 5. aptitudes needed 6. education and training 7. salary and benefits 8. career outlook

22. What skills will you need in the future to succeed in a career? 1. basic skills in reading, writing, math, listening, and speaking 2. thinking skills 3. personal responsibility and self-management 4. ability to use resources 5. ability to get along with others and work in teams 6. ability to find, organize, and store information 7. ability to understand systems 8. ability to use technology effectively