Child’s World Development Theories

Introduction & Focus Question What do you think a theory is? Is a belief a theory? How might one’s personal beliefs and behaviors affect the development of a child?

Introduction to Developmental Theories Researchers and educators hold several distinct sets of beliefs, or theories, about how children grow and develop. One theory holds that children simply mature as they grow older. Another is that the environment shapes what children become. (Nature v. Nurture)

Theories defined A theory is a system of beliefs about something. A child development theory is an integrated collection of beliefs about why children behave, think, and feel as they do. How a teacher responds to incidents depends on what he or she believes about why a student behaves as he does. The teacher's decisions will also depend upon his or her theory about the child's development

No single universally accepted theory exists Theories about children are extremely practical A theory can guide professional practice by ensuring that there is an underlying purpose for classroom routines and that the process of educating young children is carried out consistently http://nwscc.cc.al.us/childdevelopment/CHD201Theories.htm

Major Child Development Theorists Jean Piaget – Children must be given learning tasks appropriate to their level of development. Lev Vygotsky – Children should be given the opportunity for frequent social interaction. Social contact is essential to intellectual development. Erik Erikson – Parents & other caregivers must be aware of, and sensitive to, children’s needs at each stage of development and support them through crises. B.F. Skinner – Parents and other caregivers can affect a child’s behavior through the use of negative and positive feedback. Albert Bandura – Caregivers must provide good examples for children to follow. Urie Bronfenbrenner – Child’s primary relationship with a caregiver needs to be stable, loving, and lasting. Environment affects development. Arnold Gesell - Development genetically determined by universal “maturation patterns” which occur in a predictable sequence.

Theorist Sorting – Developmental Domains Lev Vygotsky Cognitive Physical B.F. Skinner Erik Erikson Albert Bandura Social Emotional Jean Piaget Arnold Gesell Urie Bronfenbrenner While watching the video have students categorize the theory/theorists from the video in the corresponding developmental domain. After the video we’ll discuss and then categorize the additional theorists/theories.

Theorists Sorting - Scenario Marta took care of her younger brother, Ramon, for two hours each day after school before her parents came home. Ramon had the habit of leaving his toys strewn about the family room when he had finished playing.

Theorists Sorting - Scenario How could Marta use the following theorist’s ideas to get her brother to put his toys away when he is done playing? Skinner Piaget Bandura Bronfenbrenner Vygotsky Gesell

Reflection On a piece of paper write your thoughts to the following statements/questions: Explain which theories you believe to be similar. Why do you think there are so many different theories about child development? Explain which theory or mix of theories you think you would use with children?

Needs vs. Wants Make a T chart on your paper Needs Wants

Needs/Wants What is the difference between a need and a want?

Needs vs. Wants Needs are things (material & nonmaterial) that a person needs to survive. Wants are those things that a person may desire, but her/she doesn’t have to have these things to survive. Abraham Maslow created a theory that explains the needs humans have. He says there are 5 levels of needs. He says needs must be met in order to survive and thrive.

Abraham Maslow He first studied law at the City College of New York (CCNY).  Attended University of Wisconsin and became interested in psychology. He received his BA in 1930, his MA in 1931, and his PhD in 1934, all in psychology, all from the University of Wisconsin. He spend his final years in semi-retirement in California, until, on June 8 1970, he died of a heart attack after years of ill health.

Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Human Needs There is an order of needs that people pass through. The order (levels) are needs and not wants. It is normal to need what is in the various levels. Motivating Needs- Needs that have not been satisfied. Money does not fit this category

Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Human Needs

Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Human Needs Basic (physiological) needs are related to the body and to feelings and are motivating needs. Safety needs are the desires for security and stability, to feel safe from harm. Social needs- the desires for affiliation. They include friendship and belonging. Esteem needs and self-actualization are strongly related to motivation. Self-Actualization is Maslow’s category for higher-level needs (the needs to grow and feel fulfilled as a person).

Needs vs. Wants Revisited Take another look at your Needs/Wants T chart. Revisit your personal Needs/Wants list Re-categorize any need that really is a want Re-categorize any want that really is a need Label each of the “Needs” according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs.

Might Maslow Quiz Answer the questions using the notes from the reading and this presentation.

Explain Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs & How it relates to the Developmental Domains through a visual & write-up. Visual must be neat and creative. You will create a visual that represents Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs. You will write an explanation of the visual. The written explanation must be in complete sentences with proper grammar and sentence structure.

Sentence Frame to start write up The visual I created is a __________ and represents Maslow’s Hierarchy because _____. The level of _______ is about ______________. In my visual this level is represented by _________. This shows the level of ____________ because ________________. [Repeat bullet 2 for each level and example].

Forward Thinking What might be the connection between Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs, and social/emotional development?