Learning about children Chapter 1 Learning about children

What do you think? Sasha and Benji are brother and sister, but they are very different. Four-year-old Sasha has black hair, dark skin, and deep brown eyes. She’s quiet, talking as little as possible. At the child care center, she prefers to play alone in quiet activities. She enjoys watching other children play and plays alone. Two-year-old Benji has brown hair, fair skin, and light brown eyes. He likes playing with tractors, trucks, and blocks with other children. Benji is talkative and thinks playing alone is boring. (Why do you think these children are different?)

What are some reasons for studying children? Why study children? Knowing how to meet the needs of children is not easy. Adults need to first understand why it’s important to study children before they can help children to develop and learn. What are some reasons for studying children? To Understand Yourself To be a responsible parent (physical, intellectual, social, trust, love and guidance needs) To protect children’s rights (Group Activity: Do Children’s Rights) To work with children

FACTORS INFLUENCING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Heredity Environment Heredity and Environment Activity

Brain development What is the center of the body? The brain is no longer a big mystery. People that work with children are curious to know how the brain affects the growth and development of children. It begins growing 16 days after conception. Technology helps us to understand the brain The brain controls body functions

Brain development Each of us has our own special brain architecture Each person is sculpted due to his or her experiences What does your brain architecture look like? Brain activity

PRINCIPLES OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Each person is unique, but we are more alike than different. The principles of growth and development do not fit every person exactly, but guides our understanding of children. What are the Principles of Growth and Development? Growth and development are constant. What we are today is a good measure of what we will be tomorrow. G&D are gradual and continuous. Growth occurs in steps. One does not grow from a child to an adult overnight.

PRINCIPLES OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT G&D happen in sequential steps. Change builds on what has already occurred. G&D happen at different rates. Some children grow or learn faster than others. G&D have interrelated parts. All aspects of development are related. For example, motor skills improve as children’s bodies grow and develop.

THEORIES OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Child development has been researched by people or theorists such as Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, Sigman Freud, Abraham Maslow, Robert Havinghurst, B.F. Skinner, Benjamin Bloom, and Howard Gardner. Children of all cultures are expected to master skills and activities that fit their level of growth and development. Havinghurst believed that developmental tasks were the result of physical growth, social pressures, and inner pressures.

THEORIES OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Maslow believed that growth and development was a result of meeting personal needs. He also believed that all people work to fulfill basic needs and higher-level needs Basic needs are both physiological and psychological. Higher order needs are called self-actualization. These needs help you feel accomplished. Maslow developed a Hierarchy of Human Needs.

Theorist Activities Activity F “The Wholeness G&D.” Picture illustrations of Havinghurst (TR 1-5) and Maslow’s theories of development (Pictures of each level). Group project on theorist.

observing children Observing is the oldest and most common way to learn about human behavior. Observation is used so often because we enter the world with our own “observation equipment” – our senses. You learn about children by watching their behavior Observing may seem to come naturally (they still need to be learned), but interpreting what is seen or heard takes skill and training.

Why observe children Usually there is a question, and researchers watch children for an answer. When another question arise while observing the initial behavior. Wanting to know more about a behavior Causes that affect a behavior.

Ways to observe children What are the ways to observe children? Directly and Indirectly. What’s the difference? Directly = watching children in their natural setting Indirectly = talking to parents, teachers, caregivers, artwork

GUIDELINES FOR OBSERVING CHILDREN Know your objectives Obtain permission Know what to do at the site Be sure observations do not distract from regular activities Observe carefully and objectively. Record accurately Protect rights of all observed.

Done Any Questions??????????????????????