1. Understanding Child Development

2. Development is….. A process that includes growth- becoming taller, for example- as well as progress in skills and abilities. Child Development is… The study of how children master new skills.

3. Characteristics of Development Development is….  Proceeds at individual rate  Interrelated  Continued through out life  Sequential- children master tasks in a logical order. (follows recognizable patterns) 1.From simple to complex -before you can run you have to learn to stand 2.From Head to foot -head is big compared to the rest of the body until a child grows 3.From center of the body outward-learn to wave before write

4. Developmental Tasks Challenges met at a particular stage of life. 1. Childhood 2. Adolescence 3. Adulthood

5. Influences on Development Heredity (Nature) –Passing on certain characteristics from parent to child –Eye color, blood type, etc. –Genes- small section of a chromosome –Chromosomes- threadlike structures found within the nucleus, or center, of body cells. Environment (Nurture) –Technology –People – especially family –Society and Culture can transmit values and customs –Economic Conditions

6. Why Study Children?

7. Better appreciate all characteristics of human development.

8. Sharpen your powers of observation.

9. Begin to see why children act, feel, and think as they do.

10. Apply learning to everyday life.

11. Learn practical caring techniques.

12. Discover that children are fun!

13. What if the HOKEY POKEY really IS what it’s ALL about???

14. So there I was... just relaxing in front of the TV when the kids yelled, 'Hey Mom, come see the kittens.' So there I was... just relaxing in front of the TV when the kids yelled, 'Hey Mom, come see the kittens.'