Children and Childhood Notes

To think about… Children in your life- Children in your life- –How would you describe your relationships with the children in your life today? –Do you like children? –Can you talk with and enjoy children of all ages?

People vary a great deal in the way the feel and act toward children. Why Study Children? 1. To have a better understanding of children -better appreciate all characteristics of human development Child Development-the study of how children grow in many different ways…physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially

2. To see why children act, feel, and think as they do *Have you ever misinterpreted or been puzzled by something a child said or did? Behavior- a way of acting or responding for every stage of life. Usually predictable and hopefully appropriate * How different are you today from the child you used to be? (quiet, independent, active, shy)

3. It can help you think about your future in relation to parenthood and career choices. *apply learning to everyday life and real situations *discover that you want to make a career out of working with children OR that you do not!

Exercise 1. How can knowledge of child development be applied to your everyday life? Give an example. 2. Explain this statement: “The self you have developed through past years will always be a part of you tomorrow.” 3. How can studying about children help you think about your future?

Childhood: A Time for Development *What does “childhood” mean to you? *What makes children different from adults?

Childhood Childhood –A period of life separate from adulthood –A time when development occurs rapidly –Completely dependent on adults

Past: Past: –treated as small adults –Were not provided with sunshine, wholesome food, protection, loving care, or learning experiences –Worked hard at an early age –Many died with diseases –No bottles: babies breastfed or died *Nutrition- a balance of all the food substances needed for health and growth

Characteristics of Development Development: Development: 1.Is similar for everyone -all children go through the same stages of development 2. Builds on earlier learning -learns words before sentences, walks before running

3. Proceeds at an individual rate -the style and rate of growth differ from one child to another 4. Is interrelated -many changes take place at once. -A child does not develop physically one week and emotionally the next 5. Continues throughout life

Influences on Development Heredity- characteristics that are physically inherited from past generations Heredity- characteristics that are physically inherited from past generations Environment- people places and things that surround you that influence development Environment- people places and things that surround you that influence development

Exercise 2 4. Why do you think people in the past treated children as “miniature adults”? 5. Explain this statement: “The ‘job’ of young children is simply to grow, learn, and play.”