Chapter 2

Predictable Sequence

Development usually follows a predictable sequence, such as walking before running.

Individual Rates

Children develop at different rates, reaching milestones earlier or later than peers.

Growth Spurts and Plateaus

Development includes periods of rapid growth followed by slower periods, with possible regressions.

Heredity and Environment Interaction

Both genetic makeup and environmental factors shape development.

Brain Development

The brain's development influences children's thinking and learning abilities.

Piaget’s Stages

Piaget’s theory includes stages of cognitive development:Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational.

Vygotsky��s ZPD

The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is the range of tasks a child can perform with help but not independently.

Scaffolding

Scaffolding involves providing temporary support to students as they learn new concepts or skills.

Language Development

Language skills develop significantly during school years, including vocabulary and syntax.

Cultural Influence

Culture shapes cognitive development, guiding children's behaviors and beliefs.

Bronfenbrenner’s Theory

This theory includes systems like microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem that influence development.

Synaptic Changes

Learning involves strengthening existing synapses and forming new ones, with synaptic pruning refining connections.

Myelination

The development of a fatty sheath around neurons improves the speed and efficiency of neural transmission.

Brain Plasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize and form new connections throughout life supports learning.

Active Learning

Piaget emphasized that children are active learners who construct knowledge through experiences.

Sociocognitive Conflict

Vygotsky highlighted the importance of social interactions in creating cognitive conflict that promotes growth.

Dynamic Assessment

This approach evaluates a student’s potential for learning through their ability to perform tasks with assistance.

Language and Thought

Vygotsky believed language mediates thought processes and is crucial for cognitive development.

Play-Based Learning

Incorporating play into learning allows children to explore and practice complex skills.

Individual Variability

Recent research indicates considerable variability in cognitive development influenced by experiences and interventions.