1. Principles of Child Development

2. How children view the world
Activity
How children view the world

3. Theories of Child Development
Psychologists define theory as a guide to help explain behavior.
Many theories are available about how children learn and process.
Erickson, Piaget, Vygotsky and Gardner

4. 12 Principles of Child Development
Development and learning are complex and no one theory is sufficient.
Principles should be considered when making decisions about children
General principles taken from a review of the early childhood literature

5. Principle 1: Interrelatedness
Development in one domain influences and is influenced by development in other domains

6. Principle 2: Orderly Sequence
Development occurs in a relatively orderly sequence, with later abilities, skills, and knowledge building on those already acquired

7. Principle 3: Varying Rates
Development proceeds at varying rates from child to child as well as unevenly within different areas of each child’s functioning

8. Principle 4: Biological and Environmental
Development and learning result from interaction of biological maturation and the environment

9. Principle 5: Long Term Effects
Early experiences have both cumulative and delayed effects on individual children’s development; optimal periods exist for certain types of development and learning

10. Principle 6: Increasing Complexity
Development proceeds in predictable directions toward greater complexity, organization, and internalization

11. Principle 7: Needs Met
Children develop and learn best in the context of a community where they are safe and valued, their physical needs are met, and they feel psychologically secure.

12. Principle 8: Social and Cultural Influence
Development and learning occur in and are influenced by multiple social and cultural contexts

13. Principle 9: Active Learners
Children learn in variety of ways and with a wide range of teaching strategies and interactions.

14. Principle 10: Play
Play is an important vehicle for children’s development, as well as a reflection of their development

15. Principle 11: Practice and Challenge
Development advances when children have opportunities to practice newly acquired skills as well as when they experience a challenge just beyond the level of their present mastery

16. Principle 12: Experiences Affect Learning and Development
Children demonstrate different modes of knowing and learning and different ways of representing what they know

17. National Indicators of Children’s Well-Being
Many interconnected aspects of children’s well-being.
Indicators of influence resulting in a child being well-adjusted, economically secure, productive, educated and healthy.

18. Domains of Well-Being Family and social environment
Economic circumstances
Health care

19. Domains of Well-Being Physical environment and safety Behavior
Education
General Health

20. Child Development: Principles, Theories, & Indicators
Basic child development information is fundamental to everyone’s well-being.
Helps professionals make sound decisions about care and education.
Understanding P, T, and I assist in interpreting experiences and milestones.

21. Child Development
Questions