1. Understanding Childhood
Objectives:
Compare childhood in the past and present.
Outline the leading ideas about how children develop.
Describe five principles of development.
Explain influences on development.
Explain the role of self-esteem in development.
Vocabulary:
Adolescence
Developmental Tasks
Environment
Heredity
Self – Esteem
Sequence
Assignment:
Find a partner, define each of the following vocabulary words.
- 10 minutes

2. Understanding Childhood
Vocabulary:
Adolescence: the stage of life between childhood and adulthood.
Developmental Tasks: challenge that must be met or skill developed at a particular stage of life.
Environment: the people, places, and things that surround and influence a person.
Heredity: The passing on of certain characteristics from earlier generations.
Self – Esteem: how you value yourself.
Sequence: a step – by – step pattern.

3. Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons.

4. Move over milk mustache, the fake mustache is officially a kid trend…
Click

5. What is childhood?
Childhood is a period of life separate from adulthood.
Development is very rapidly.
Babies are completely dependent on their caregivers.
When childhood ends, people begin to be independent.
Minutes old vs. 1 year old

6. Childhood Past and Present
Work
Play
Education
Health
Dress
Parental Love
Let’s identify an example of each difference.

7. Childhood Past and Present
Work
Expected to work at an early age.
Laws against child labor, children most likely help around the house or get a “part-time” job at 16 years old.
Play
Fewer toys, homemade toys made of natural materials.
More toys, newer technology.
Education
Not everyone attended school or stopped at an early age.
Free public education for all.
Health
High mortality rate with child birth, many wide spread diseases, poor nutrition.
Low mortality rate with child birth, diseases are controlled, better health care options for all, better nutrition and education.
Dress
Children dressed as small adults, less available clothing.
Children dress in practical, light, washable clothing material, children have a wide variety of clothing options.
Parental Love
A parent’s love has not changed.

8. The Study of Children Many researchers have studied children closely.
See chart on page 30 – 31:

11. Childhood now has changed drastically from the past.
Identify one childhood change that stands out for you.
Why is this change significant?

12. Major Theorist of Child Development
Why do we study the major theorists?
Theories of development provide a framework for thinking about human growth, development, and learning.
If you have ever wondered about what motivates human thought and behavior, understanding these theories can provide useful insight into ourselves, parenting, children, and our society.

13. Major Theorist of Child Development
Sigmund Freud
Maria Montessori
Arnold Gesell
Let’s Read about these theorist on page 30 – 31.

14. Major Theorist of Child Development
Based on these three theories, which one do you think is the best practice?
Explain is your response.

15. Child Thinking Wrap Up
Montessori’s educational philosophy hitting home…

16. Major Theorist of Child Development
Jean Piaget
Lev Vygotsky
Erik Erikson
B.F Skinner
Albert Bandura
Robert Coles
Let’s Read about these theorist on page 30 – 31.

17. What Researcher Have Found
Characteristics of Development
Characteristics of development:
Development is similar for everyone
Builds on earlier learning – sequence
Individual rate
Different areas are interrelated
Influences of development:
Heredity
Environment

18. Lifelong Growth and Development
Development after childhood:
Each stage of life has particular challenges – development tasks
Adolescence – finding your identity, becoming independent, planning for your life’s work, etc.
Adulthood – career, establishing your roots, reevaluating life’s choices, stability and peace.
The role of self-esteem in development:
Self-esteem – how you value yourself.
How you value yourself may influence one’s life choices.

19. Lifelong Growth and Development
How many of you have thought about your next stage?
College, careers, etc…
What childhood experiences influenced these thoughts?