DCF Child Growth and Development

CGDR (6 hours)

Growth

specific body changes and increases in the child's size such as a child's height, weight, head circumference and BMI

Development

an increase in complexity, a change from relatively simple to more complicated and involves progression where child gains refined knowledge, behaviors and skills.

Similarities between children in growth

1.growth proceeds from head down
2. control of head and neck first, then arms, then legs
3. brain, heart and spinal cord are fully functional at birth
4. arm and leg muscles first then fingers and toes

5 basic principles of child growth and development

1. Developmental sequence is similar for all
2. Development proceeds from general to specific
3. Development is continuous
4. Development proceeds at different rates
5. All areas of development are interrelated

Describe Principle 1

children develop in relatively the same ways, there is a typical sequence of development that occurs as the child grows, behaviors and skills emerge in the same order

describe principle 2

body changes in a sequence and gives new abilities; as brain develops, cognitive skills improve

describe principle 3

there is continuity from one phase of development to the next, children continue to add behaviors as they perfect others (ex: language; cooing --\> words)

describe principle 4

sequence of development is the same but the rate is different, development is constant but not uniform

describe principle 5

the developmental domains influence development in other areas.

theory

a set of ideas of facts principles analyzed in relation to one another and used to explain a phenomena.

What are the 5 levels of Maslow's Hierarchy?

1. Physical (food)
2. Security (stability)
3. Belonging (social, love, acceptance)
4. Esteem Needs (importance)
5. Self-Actualization (empathy)

What does Maslow's Hierarchy mean to child care professionals?

Basic needs must be met first, if not, self-worth suffers. Awareness of family circumstances can help caregivers know what needs are or are not being met.

Erik Erikson's conflicts in emotional development

there are 8 total first 4 deal with birth - 12 (where children develop ability to learn) Emotional development is a serious of conflicts that must be resolved before proceeding to the next. Moving through the conflicts successfully ensures social and emotional stability

What are the first 4 stages of conflict and what age range do they correspond to? (Erik Erikson)

Trust v. Mistrust: Infant
Autonomy v. Shame and Doubt: Toddler
Initiative v. Guilt: Preschool
Industry v. Inferiority: Grade School

What do these conflicts mean to child care professionals? (Erik Erikson Theory)

create relationships with children that are built on trust, allow children to exercise autonomy, promote creativity

What are Jean Piaget's Four Stages of Cognitive Development?

1. Sensorimotor 0-2: learning through sensory perception and motor skills
2. Preoperational 2-7: uses symbols, bound by what they experience directly and not by what they think
3. Concrete-Operational 7-11: rational thinking
4. Formal Operations 11 +: final stages of cognitive development, abstract thinking, think beyond present.

What do these stages mean to child care professionals? (Jean Piaget)

it helps caregivers to understand why children make thinking mistakes, help in planning developmentally appropriate practices

Lev Vygotsky's Theory of Cognitive Development

social and cultural interactions are the primary sources of learning and behavior, along with problem solving experiences through scaffolding to perform tasks in the zone of proximal learning.

Scaffolding

when the person interacting with the child assumes more responsibility for guiding learning, as child learns more responsibility is given to them.

Zone of Proximal Learning

the zone where learning occurs, when a child is learning material with adult guidance or with peer collaboration.

What are Vygotsky's 4 strategies for success?

1. generating a question for understanding
2. Clarifying what they are reading or understanding
3. stopping to predict clues about what they think might happen in the learning material
4. summarizing what they have learned.

What does this theory mean to child care professionals? (Lev Vygotsky)

we can develop learning environments where children play an active role in their own education, with peer and adult collaboration

What did Maria Montessori theorize about child centered learning environments?

children should learn in a typical and natural environment. The environment should be orderly and beautiful, furnishings should be child-sized, accessible and in good working condition

What is John Bowlby's attachment theory?

in order to become well-adjusted adults, infants need attentive and responsive adults, child care professionals can provide this when parents are stressed.

What are Developmental Windows?

periods of time when children are extremely receptive to surroundings and interactions with others. These widows are for brain development and affect the achievement of developmental milestones. (ex: window for language closes at 5 and is gone by 11).

How does heredity influence child development?

heredity can influence brain growth which would in turn, influence cognitive development. Heredity also influences temperament. Brain growth and temperament influence personality and can have positive or negative effects.

What 3 health and wellness factors influence child development and how?

1. Nutrition: proper nutrition allows for favorable development, healthy body leads to happiness
2. Physical Activity: allows for a better opportunity to grow, less like;y to get sick or injured.
3. Daily Routines: establishing a healthy lifestyle ensures positive behaviors and proper development

What impact do positive social interactions have on child development?

positive interactions establish a foundation for acceptance, belonging and self-esteem, and children learn appropriate bahviors.

What are developmental obstacles for children

There are external and internal obstacles;
external: non-english or illiterate parents.
internal: poor prenatal care. poor nutrition, fetal alcohol syndrome, developmental disabilities.

What are 2 developmental disabilities important for caregivers to recognize?

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder
2. Down Syndrome

What is ADA

Americans With Disabilities Act: Federal law that requires child care programs to comply with accessibility guidelines to support children with developmental and physical disabilites.

What is IDEA?

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: ensures children with disabilities 3-21 receive appropriate public education and that early intervention services are provided.

Why are routines important?

Routines \= physical and metal health, help with observations and measurements, provide sense of security for children
--\> independence --\> better self-esteem

How can child care programs be inclusive and support children with disabilities?

1. Allow ample space for movement
2. reduce number of transitions
3. provide safe environemnt

How can child care programs provide support for gifted children?

1. Provide more challenging activities
2. pair with other students for teaching opportunities.

Define 2 different behavior supports

1. Prevention: PRIMARY method used to encourage children to discontinue challenging behaviors by stopping the behavior before it begins
2. Redirection: used to guide behavior by recognizing challenging behavior early and taking steps to stop it from escalating
3. Positive Reinforcement: desired behaviors are rewarded so the child is encouraged to repeat them.

What are the 5 Developmental domains?

1. Physical Dveleopment
2. Approaches to Learning
3. Languages and Communication
4. Cognitive Development and General Knowledge.
5. Social and Emotional Development

Why are these Developmental Domains important to child care programs?

Helps in developing lesson plans: can help in detecting developmental delays

Define the Physical Developmental Domain

refers to typical growth patterns; changes in weight, height, vision and hearing. Also refers to physical milestones like muscle control; ability to grasp, roll over, sit up, writing etc

Define the Approaches to Learning Domain

Refers to eagerness to learn; curiosity, persistence, creative problem solving and ability to create and complete long term projects.

Define the language and communication developmental domain

refers to ability to communicate with others, involves ability to see, hear, speak, read, write and construct understanding of things around them.

Define the cognitive and development and general knowledge domain

refers to intellectual or mental abilities; exploration, discovery, concept and memory formation, problem solving and creative expression. Knowledge of math,scientific thinking, awareness of social studies and the arts

Define the social and emotional developmental domain

Focuses on self-esteem, how children feel about themselves and their relationships with others; refers to individual behaviors, responses, attachments and prosocial behaviors.

What is prosocial behavior?

These are behaviors that are the most positive attributes; helping, sharing, sympathizing, cooperating and comforting.

How can caregivers encourage prosocial behavior?

Modeling, reinforcement, teaching, set rules, promoting self-discipline

What are the 3 elements of developmentally appropriate practices?

1. Age: activities should fit age range
2. individually appropriate: observe background and talents, determine if child is developing typically
3. Socially and culturally appropriate: content should be based on what is familiar to children and giving them opportunities to share different cultural standards.

What are the 3 elements needed to create developmentally appropriate program?

1. active learning: learn by doing
2. meaningful experiences: memorable when relateable
3. nurturing relationships: positive relationships with peers and adults