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EDUC 111

1.1 Child Development

Child development

  • multidimensional and dynamic process encompassing physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral changes that occurs from infancy to adolescence.

  • influenced by complex interplay of biological, environmental, genetic, and cultural factors

  • refers to the process through which children grow, learn, and acquire various skills and abilities from birth through adolescence

Key aspects of Child Development

  1. Physical development

    • changes in a child’s body and physical abilities.

    • includes growth in height and weight, maturation of sensory system

  2. Cognitive Development

    • development of child’s thinking, problem-solving, memory, language, and reasoning abilities

    • involves how children acquire knowledge, perceive the world, and understand concepts

  3. Social Development

    • focuses on child’s interactions and relationships with others

    • includes the development of social skills, empathy, self-awareness

  4. Emotional Development

    • involves the understanding and management of emotions.

    • includes the development of self-esteem, emotional regulation, empathy

  5. Behavioral Development

    • refers to the acquisition of appropriate behaviors and self-control

    • involves the development of moral values, self-discipline, impulse control, and follow rules and regulation

1.2 Theories on Biological Dimensions of Child Development

  • these theories don’t operate in isolation

  1. Maturationist Theory

    • proposed by Arnold Gessel

    • emphasizes the role of genetics and biological factors in child development

    • according to Gessel, children naturally unfold and develop specific skills and behaviors according to their predetermined genetic timetable (genes)

    • This theory suggests that biological factors play a primary role in driving developmental changes

  2. Ethological Theory

    • developed by Konrad Lorenz and expanded by others like Bowlby.

    • This theory focuses on the biological basis of behavior and influence of evolution on child development

    • This theory suggests that children are biologically predisposed to develop certain behaviors .

    • Emphasizes the importance of critical periods and innate behaviors exhibited by children (influence by behavior)

  3. Cognitive Developmental Theory

    • proposed by Jean Piaget

    • acknowledges the role of biological factors

    • believes that biological maturation provides the foundation for cognitive development, enabling to construct understanding through assimilation (learn new things) and accommodation (set of experiences connected)

  4. Sociobiological Theory

    • influenced by evolutionary theory

    • it explores how biological factors shape social behavior and development

    • suggests that certain behaviors and social interactions have evolved as adaptations

    • this theory examines how biological factors influence social behaviors such as attachment, cooperation, and aggression

  5. Biological-Environment Interactionist Theory

    • emphasizes dynamic interaction between biological factors and environmental influences

    • recognizes genetic predispositions interact with environmental experiences to shape development. e.g., physical appearance vs environment

1.3 Current research on biological dimensions of child development

  1. brain development

    • explore the processes of brain development in children.

    • Neuroimaging (e.g., MRI & fMRI) allow scientists to examine the structural and functional changes that occur in the brain during different stages of development

    • investigates experiences, and impact of various interventions

  2. genetics and epigenetics

    • focuses on identifying specific genes associated with various development traits, behavior, and disorder

    • epigenetics examines how environmental factors can influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence.

  3. Gene-Environment Interaction

    • investigates how genes and environmental factors interact to shape child development

    • explores how genetic predisposition can either amplify or mitigate the effects of environmental experiences such as the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

    • aim to uncover the complex interplay between genetics and environment

  4. Hormonal Influences

    • another area of active research

    • examines how hormones (e.g., cortisol, testosterone, and oxytocin) influence various aspects of development (emotional regulation, social behavior, cognitive functioning)

    • investigates how hormonal changes during different developmental periods contribute to specific developmental milestones

  5. Neurodevelopmental Disorders

    • focused on understanding biological understanding biological underpinnings of neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and specific learning disabilities.

    • investigates genetic and neurological factors associated with these disorders and potential blomarkers and early detection methods

  6. Early Intervention and Brain Plasticity

    • impact of early intervention programs on brain developments and outcomes

    • study the long-term effects of early interventions on cognitive, social, and emotional development

1.4 Theories on Linguistic Dimensions of Child Development

  1. Behaviorist Theory

    • associated with B.F. Skinner

    • suggests that language development is primarily a result of environmental influences and conditioning

    • according to this theory, children learn lanuae through reinforcement and imitation of language they hear from their caregivers

    • emphasizes the role of external factors in shaping linguistic development

  2. Nativist Theory

    • proposed by Noam Chomsky

    • states that children have an innate language acquisition device (LAD) that enables them to acquire language naturally

    • argued that humans are biologically predisposed to learn language

    • this theory emphasizes the role of internal factors and innate capacity for language in child development

  3. Interactionist Theory

    • combines the elements of behaviorist and nativist perspective

    • this theory suggests that, language development results from the interaction between innate capabilities and environmental influences

    • according to this theory, children are born with the capacity for language, but they require social interactions and language input from caregivers to develop their linguistic skills

  4. Social Interactionist Theory

    • influenced by the work of Lev Vygotsky

    • emphasized the importance of social interaction in language development and suggests that children learn language through social exchanges and interactions with others.

    • emphasized the role of social context, cultural influences, and the use of language for communication and problem-solving.

  5. cognitive theory

    • Jean Piaget’s theory that focuses on cognitive processes underlying language acquisition

    • suggests that language development is closely tied to cognitive development and that children’s increasing cognitive abilities enable them to acquire and use language more effectively.

  6. Connectionist Theory

    • proposed that language developments occur through gradual strengthening and modification of connections between neural units.

    • emphasize the role of neural networks and computational processes in language acquisition.

    • connectionist models simulate how children learn language by adjusting the strengths of connections between various linguistic elements.