Educational Theorists And Their Theories

Child Development Theory Explains how children develop: Morally, socially, cognitively, physically, emotionally And provides ways to apply this theory to practice

Erikson – 8 Stages of Man Individuals pass through different crisis at different ages. Infant Trust vs Mistrust Toddler Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt Preschooler Initiative vs Guilt School-Age Child Industry vs Inferiority Adolescent Identity vs Role Confusion Young Adult Intimacy vs Isolation Middle-Age Adult Generativity vs Stagnation Older Adult Integrity vs Despair Dealing with each crisis in a positive way results in normal development. Parents & Caregivers must be sensitive to each child’s needs at each stage.

Freud, Sigmund Personality develops through a series of stages. Emotional experiences in childhood profoundly effect adulthood.

Kohlberg, Lawrence Level I Pre-conventional Morality Stage 1 Punishment orientation - Rules are obeyed to avoid punishment Stage 2 Instrumental orientation or personal gain - Rules are obeyed for personal gain Level II Conventional Morality Stage 3 “Good Boy” or “Good Girl” orientation - Rules are obeyed for approval Stage 4 Maintenance of the social order – Rules are obeyed to maintain the social order Level III Post-conventional Morality Stage 5 Morality of contract and individual rights – Rules are obeyed if they are impartial; democratic rules are challenged if they infringe on the rights of others Stage 6 Morality of conscience – The individual establishes his or her own rules in accordance with a personal set of ethical principals

Maslow – Hierarchy of Needs Humans naturally strive to satisfy needs. There are 5 levels of needs. Each must be satisfied before moving on to the next.

Piaget, Jean Piaget’s developmental stages of a child: 0-2 years sensorimotor – motor development 3 -7 years pre-operation – intuitive 4-11 years concrete operational – logical, no abstractions 12-15 years formal operations – abstract thinking Children should be given learning tasks suitable for their age of thinking.

Piaget – Genetic Epistemology

Skinner – Learned Conditioning (Behaviorism) Learning results in changes in behavior. If an action repeatedly brings a positive result, it will be repeated. If an action repeatedly brings a negative result, it will stop. Rewards & punishments may be used to influence behavior.

Montessori – Maria Montessori Children learn by using their senses. They learn best when pursuing their own interests. Children need to touch and manipulate.

Gesell, Arnold Children master various skills in order; Gesell determined the typical order.

Bandura, Albert Children learn by modeling. Environment shapes behavior AND behavior affects environment. Parents & Caregivers must provide good examples.

Children learn by example. Coles, Robert Parents and Caregivers are role models for moral development. Children learn by example.

Vygotsky - ZPD Biological development and cultural experience influence a child’s ability to think and learn. Social contact is essential for intellectual development.