Why Study Children?
Learning about children is important in more ways than you might realize! It can help you better understand children and yourself It can help prepare you for parenthood It can help you make career choices
It can sharpen your powers of observation Help you learn practical caring techniques Let you discover that children are fun!
Child Development is... The study of how children grow: 1. Physically 2. Mentally 3. Emotionally 4. Socially
Characteristics of Development Development is similar for everyone Development builds on earlier learning
Characteristics of Development Development proceeds at an individual rate Development is interrelated Development is continuous throughout life
Development is similar for everyone Children all over the world go through the same stages in similar order (i.e. they stand before they walk) Children all over the world go through the same stages in similar order (i.e. they stand before they walk)
Development builds on earlier learning The skills that a child learns follow a “sequence” (a step-by-step pattern) The skills that a child learns follow a “sequence” (a step-by-step pattern) Children learn to walk before they learn to run, jump, and skip Children learn to walk before they learn to run, jump, and skip
Development proceeds at an individual rate A child’s rate of growth varies A child’s rate of growth varies (One child may learn to write his name before another child does) (One child may learn to write his name before another child does)
Development is interrelated All areas of development, physical, mental, emotional and social work are considered together All areas of development, physical, mental, emotional and social work are considered together (i.e. mind & body must work together in order for a child to walk, write her name or recite the alphabet) (i.e. mind & body must work together in order for a child to walk, write her name or recite the alphabet)
Development is continuous throughout life Development does not stop at a certain age Development does not stop at a certain age (at times it may slow down and at other times be very rapid, but it never stops) (at times it may slow down and at other times be very rapid, but it never stops)
Two Important Influences on Development 1. Heredity 2. Environment
Heredity Means the many characteristics a person inherits from past generations Means the many characteristics a person inherits from past generations (eye and hair color) (eye and hair color)
Environment All the people, places and things that surround a person All the people, places and things that surround a person (friends, siblings, home town, etc.) (friends, siblings, home town, etc.)
Assignment 1. Describe three things about you that you inherited. 2. Write one-paragraph describing you current home environment.