Child Development Theorists : how do children develop? What is a theory?

All the theorists covered in the intro to early childhood and intro to child development classes for the test.

What is a theory?

A well reasoned system of ideas, rules, or principles designed to explain a set of facts of phenomena. [1, 2]- A theory is a heavily tested and broadly accepted explanation backed by a large body of evidence.

What is the purpose of a theory?

1. attempts to explain how and why by providing a framework for understanding

2. allows us to make an educated guess; a theory is not a fact.

3. generates discoveries

4. provides practical guidance

maslow

hierarchy of needs:

• Unless a child’s needs are all met they cannot be expected to excel intelligently or creatively.

1. psychological needs

2. safety needs

3. love & belongingness needs

4. esteem needs

5. self actualization

Jean Piaget

cognitive developmental theory:

• how children learn and develop intellectually through different stages as they grow

• sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational

• water experiment: when can children comprehend the change in container/appearance does not alter volume?

Erik Erikson

Psychosocial development theory:

• believed that development occurs throughout life and emphasized the role of social relationships and challenges at different stages

• trust vs mistrust, autonomy vs shame, initiative vs guilt. industry vs inferiority, identity vs role confusion, intimacy vs isolation, generativity vs stagnation

• failing to successfully navigate one stage could lead to difficulties later

Lev Vygotsky

Sociocultural theory:

• role of social interaction in cognitive development and introduced zone of proximal development (ZPD) where learning is the most effective when children are guided by others

• learning happens through interaction with more knowledgeable others (teachers, parents, peers)

• children learn best when the tasks are slightly beyond their current abilities, but achievable with support.

John Bowlby

attachment theory:

• importance of early attachments between children and caregivers influencing emotional development and future relationships

• secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-ambivalent, disorganized attachment

Albert Bandura

Social learning theory:

• role of observation and imitation in learning. children learn behaviors by watching others, especially role models, and imitating what they see.

B.F. Skinner

Operant conditioning:

• emphasizes how behaviors are shaped by reinforcement and punishment. Positive reinforcement strengthens behavior while negative reinforcement or punishment reduces unwanted behavior.

• Good: you get candy, because you did your work. | adding something bad to discourage, scolding.

• Bad: No more homework, because you did your work. | removing something desirable, no more TV

Maria Montessori

Montessori Method:

• Child centered education, where children are free to explore and learn at their own pace with guidance from teachers. her method emphasized independence and respect for a child’s natural development.

• natural, wooden, real life learning, not imagination based

Sigmund Freud

Childhood and personality:

• children go through distinct stages of psychosexual development and early experiences during these stages later influence adult personality and behavior.

• oral, a n a l, phallic, latency, g e n i t a l stages