Key Terms Human Development and Learning

What is Constructivist Theory

The belief that learners construct knowledge rather than just passively take in information

What is an example of Constructivist Theory

People experience the world and reflect upon their experiences, they build their own representations and incorporate new information into their pre - existing knowledge which is referred to as schemas.

What is Social Learning Theory

Considers how environmental and cognitive factors interact to influence human learning behavior

What is an example of Social Learning Theory

Observing, Modeling, Imitating, the behaviors attitudes, and emotional reactions of others.

What is Environmentalist Theory

Belief that learning is a reaction to the environment

What is an example of Environmentalist Theory

The child’s environment shapes learning and behavior. Two theorists, B.F Skinner and Albert Bandura were major contributors to this theory.

Who created “The Cognitive Stages of Development”

Jean Piaget

What are The Stages of Development

Sensorimotor Stage

Preoperational Stage

Concrete Operational Stage

Formal Operational Stage

What happens during the Sensorimotor Stage

(Birth to age 2) Children begin to learn the environment around them through movement and sensation, showing behaviors like looking and listening.

What are characteristics of The Sensorimotor Stage

• Object permanence (even if my caregiver walks out of the room, they still exist)

• Reflexes (rooting, startling at loud noises)

• Self-soothing (thumb sucking)

• Mobility

What happens during the Pre Operational Stage

(Ages 2 to 7) Children use pictures and words to represent things with symbols. They are typically not able to understand the logic or perspectives of others.

What are characteristic of The Pre Operational Stage

• Pretend play

• Imaginary friends

• Object representation (drawing family members)

• Egocentric

• Curious

What happens during The Concrete Operational Stage

(Ages 7 to 11) Children begin to use more logical thinking, so this is a good time to teach empathy. They may struggle with hypotheticals and abstract concepts.

What are characteristics of The Concrete Operational Stage

• Classifying objects (websites vs. books)

• Idea of Conservation 

• Inductive Logic (concrete, hands-on problem solving; e.g., using math manipulatives to solve a problem)

• Less egocentric (more empathetic towards others)

What happens during The Formal Operational Stage

(Ages 12 and up) Preteens and teens are able to use logic, problem-solving, reasoning, etc. In this stage, it is important to provide opportunities to ask questions, encourage games and free play, as well as teach critical thinking skills.

What are characteristics of The Formal Operational Stage

• Abstract thinking (thinking more in life’s gray areas) 

• Application of knowledge to complex problems 

• Sense of Identity

• Social and moral questions

Who Created Burner’s Theory of Constructivism

Jerome Bruner

What is Bruner’s Theory of Constructivism

knowledge is represented and organized through different modes of thinking (or representation).

who created Sociocultural Theory

Lev Vygotsky's

what is Sociocultural Theory

It views human development as a socially mediated process. This theory proposes that social interaction within the family and with knowledgeable members of the community is the primary means by which children acquire behaviors and cognitive processes relevant to their own society. Important adult and peer interactions are an essential part of the child’s development process.

Who developed The Montessori Stages of Development

Maria Montessori

What are the characteristics of the Montessori

• Fosters children to seek to develop natural interests and activities

•  Fosters a sense of independence with each child

•  Classrooms emphasize hands-on learning and developing real-world skills

• Non-traditional

What is the Reggio Emilia Approach

An educational philosophy that is student-centered

What are characteristics in Reggio Emilia approach

• Children can construct their learning; children are driven primarily by their interests. 

• Children learn their place in the world through interactions; it focuses heavily on social collaboration, encouraging children to work in groups and develop knowledge through communicating with others.

• A child’s environment is also their teacher; a child learns just as much from the environment they are in as they do from their parents and teachers. 

• Document your child’s thoughts; focus on documenting these thought progressions as your child learns.

• Children have many languages, and the focus is on encouraging children to explore all of these various aspects and learn how to communicate not only through speech but also through art and play.

What is Albert Bandura Social Cognitive Theory

Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory provides a framework for understanding how people actively shape and are shaped by their environment, including how children’s schemas for knowledge are impacted heavily by their interaction with other children and adults. This theory details the processes of observational learning and modeling.

Who developed the Theory of Moral Development

Lawrence Kohlberg

What is Theory of Moral Development

How children develop in terms of morality, ethics, and decision-making.

What is Level 1: Pre-conventional Morality

The earliest period of moral development. It lasts until around the age of 9.A child’s decision is primarily shaped by the expectations of adults and the consequences of breaking the rules.

What is Level 2: Conventional Morality

During this time, adolescents and adults internalize the moral standards they have learned from their role models and from society. This period also focuses on the acceptance of authority and conforming to the norms of the group.

What is Level 3: Post-Conventional Morality

At this level of moral development, people develop an understanding of abstract principles of morality.

Who is Benjamin Bloom

A researcher who proposed three domains of learning: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor.

What was Benjamin Bloom known for

He was best known for Bloom’s Taxonomy, which implied that objectives related to cognition could be divided into subdivisions and ranked in order of cognitive difficulty.