Learning about Children Child Development and Parenting

Benefits of Studying Children Learn why children feel, think, and act the way they do. Discover caregivers’ importance. Enjoy children more. Learn about career opportunities.

Changes in Childhood Until the twentieth century, some people believed that there was nothing special or important about childhood. Changing attitudes, social changes, and advances in technology and medicine have changed views about childhood.

Health Changes Before the 20th century, diseases caused children’s deaths in almost every family. Today, these can be controlled and better nutrition has helped children to become more healthy. However, childhood obesity is becoming an overwhelming concern in our society.

Education Changes Public education is available to all students. Students are now grouped according to age and sometimes learning abilities. Technology can enhance the learning process. Schools work to meet all students needs.

Work Changes Laws have been established: Banning children from working in factories, dangerous jobs and other adult workplaces. Specifying the minimum working age.

Play Changes More time to play, more toys, computers. Children spend much of their time playing.

Dress Changes Children used to dress much more formally. Suits, gowns, and dresses were common. Now causal clothes for boys and girls often look similar.

Childhood is Crucial The baby’s brain is about one-quarter the size of an adults. It is important to stimulate the brain: Activities that arouse a baby’s sense of sight, sound, tough, taste, and smell. Read The Developing Brain-pg. 28

Characteristics of Development 5 General Rules Development is similar for each individual. Development builds upon earlier learning. Development proceeds at an individual rate. The different areas of development are interrelated. Development is a lifelong process.

Influences on Development Children develop at different rates because of the factors that influence them. Heredity and Environment

Heredity The biological transfer of certain characteristics from earlier generations. Blood type Eye color Hair color __________ Often referred to as nature.

Environment People, places, and things that surround and influence a person. Family Home School Community ___________ Often referred to as nurture.

Lifelong Growth and Development Development continues through life- birth to death. This happens in stages called the human life cycle. Each stage presents different challenges that must be met– development tasks. Mastering one of these prepares a person to move on to the next. Give examples…

Development Beyond Childhood Adolescence- between childhood and adulthood. Young adulthood- people in their 20’s. The 30’s Middle age- ages 40-55 Late adulthood- ages 55-75 Very late adulthood- beyond 75.