Studying a Childs World Chapter 1
The Study of Child Development Scientific Study of Processes of Change and Stability in Human Children Quantitative change Qualitative change
The Study of Child Development Early Approaches Baby biographies: as early as 1787 Darwin (1877) journal gave baby biographies scientific respectability Wild boy of Aveyron Hall (1904) pioneered adolescence studies Gesell (1930s) studied child motor development
The Study of Child Development Studying the Life Span All aspects of human development from conception to death Growth and development occur throughout the life span Aspects of adult development have an impact on the way children develop
The Study of Child Development New Frontiers Basic Research (to answer questions) versus Applied Research (to solve a practical problem) Questions, methods, and explanations became more eclectic Technology (e.g. cameras, videos, and computers) improved objectivity
The Study of Child Development Domains of Development Physical: Growth of body and brain, sensory capacities, and motor skills Cognitive: Mental abilities, such as learning, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity Psychosocial: Personality, emotions, and social relationships
The Study of Child Development Periods of Development Social construction Concept of adolescence is quite recent Until the early 20 th century young people were considered children until they left school, married, or got a job Comprehensive high school made adolescence a distinct period
Periods of Development: A Social Construction Table 1.1 Prenatal Period: Conception to birth Infancy and Toddlerhood: Birth to age 3 Early Childhood: 3 to 6 years Middle Childhood: 6 to 11 years Adolescence: 11 to about 20 years
The Study of Child Development Heredity Inborn traits or characteristics from biological parents Environment World outside the self Socialization Maturation Unfolding of a universal, natural sequence of changes
The Study of Child Development Contexts of Development Family Nuclear family Two-generational kinship, economic, and household unit Two biological parents and their biological, adopted, and/or stepchildren Extended family Multigenerational kinship network of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.
The Study of Child Development Contexts of Development Socioeconomic status (SES) and Neighborhood Income Education Occupation
The Study of Child Development Contexts of Development Culture Defined as a group ’ s total way of life including customs, traditions, laws, knowledge, beliefs, values, language, and physical products Is constantly changing, often through contact with other cultures
The Study of Child Development Contexts of Development Ethnicity Ethnic groups consist of people united by a distinctive culture The United States’ immigrant population has shifted from Europe and Canada to Asia and Latin America By 2040 the minority population is projected to rise to 50 percent There is a wide diversity within ethnic groups
The Study of Child Development Normative and Nonnormative Influences Normative age-graded influences Normative history-graded influences Historical generation Cohort Nonnormative Unusual events that have a major impact on individual lives, e.g. winning the lottery
The Study of Child Development Timing of Influences: Critical or Sensitive Periods Imprinting Critical period Controversial: Sensitive periods may be more useful Plasticity
An Emerging Consensus All domains of development are interrelated Normal development includes a wide range of individual differences within the general processes all children follow as they develop
An Emerging Consensus Children Help Shape Their Own Development and Influence Others ’ Responses to Them Historical and Cultural Contexts Strongly Influence Development
An Emerging Consensus Early Experience Is Important, but Children Can Be Remarkably Resilient Development in Childhood Is Part of Development Throughout the Life Span