Studying children will help me understand myself by………….

• By learning more about children you learn more about who you are.

Child Development

Chapter 1

Why is Childhood Crucial?• Time of preparation• Most important stage of life– Brain develops

• Children need stimulation– Talking– Play – Promote mental and physical skills

Cont.

• Child development– The study of how children master new skills. Children benefit from play in many ways:

PhysicallySociallyEmotionallyMorallyIntellectually

Review ?

1. How can caregivers help in the development of a child’s brain?

2. What is child development?

Critical Thinking

Why do some people get along very well with children?

Is this due to a natural talent or is it a learned skill?

Group Activity

• In groups of 3 or 4.• Discuss play activities that you enjoyed as

children or that children you know enjoy.• Discuss how this play benefits children in at

least three of the five areas described previously discussed.

• On a legal sheet of paper illustrate these benefits. Your poster will be displayed, so be neat.

Why Study Children?

• Gain insight into –human nature• Understand how we are

–origins of adult behavior–origins of differences– To gain skills–origins, prevention and treatment of

developmental problems

What Views of Children Do We Find Throughout History?

• Ancient Times and Middle Ages–Children viewed as innately evil–Age 7 is the “age of reason”–Children were treated as miniature adults–Children were expected to work at an early

age• Job “now” for children is to:–Grow, learn, play

Typical portrait that as a whole (education rigid, clothing, toy) symbolizes the times past, dramatically, terribly out of fashion. Italy, late 19th century

19th Century

20th Century

21st Century

Past & Present

• Education– Public education for all not until early 1800’s– Schools were small• Included children of various age and ability

How is education different today?

Past & Present

• Health– Disease caused the deaths of children

• Play– Fewer toys– Homemade toys, carved from natural materials

• Parental Love– Parents have always worked hard to build

responsible children.

The Study of Children

• Brain Research– caregivers

• Neurons– Nerve cells– Babies develop pathways that link their neurons– Takes place quickly• 4 days old• 2 year old have almost as many pathways as an adult.

Theorists of Child Development