1. Growth & Development

2. Child Development Theorists
The study of child development is based on research
Theory: a belief
Is there a consensus on how to apply child development theories and research findings?

3. Basic Areas of child development
Physical
Emotional
Social
Cognitive (intellectual)
Moral

4. Five General Rules Development is similar for each individual
Growth proceeds from head to foot
Development build upon earlier learning
Sequence
Development proceeds at an individual rate
The different areas are interrelated
Development is continuous throughout life

5. Influences on development
Why do children develop at different rates?
Remember: development is similar for everyone, but it proceeds at proceeds at different rates
Nature vs Nurture
Is it our biology, do we come that way? Or is it how we are raised, our environment?

6. Influences on development
Heredity: biological transfer of characteristics from earlier generations. “Nature”
Blood Type
Eye Color
Hair Color
How can nature affect a developing child?

7. Influences on Development
Environment: people, places and things that surround and influence a person. “Nurture”
Family
Home
School
Community
How can nurture affect a developing child?

8. Nurturing and Clay Nurturing is like sculpting
A young child is very pliable, like clay
We can mold and shape it as we wish
However, after very long, the clay begins to dry and the child begins to grow up and maintains the form you’ve made
That is how nurturing affects a child’s development

9. How to promote Nurturing
Nourishment
Support
Encouragement
Unconditional Love

10. Lack of Nurturing
Orphans' Lonely Beginnings Reveal How Parents Shape A Child's Brain
(NPR audio clip)
shots/2014/02/20/ /orphans-lonely-beginnings-reveal-how- parents-shape-a-childs-brain

11. Bonding The formation of close emotional ties
These emotional ties are formed between parents and the newborn soon after birth
Bonding is critical to a newborn child

12. Creating a Bonding Experience
Just after birth, physical contact. “Skin to Skin”. Baby is placed on mothers chest.
Long, loving looks
Critical to the bonding process
Animated face and voice

13. Importance of Bonding Safety and Trust
Children feel safe when they trust their parents and caretakers

14. Influences on development
What would be the outcome if a child did not receive adequate nurturing?

15. Lack of Nurturing Failure to thrive or attachment disorder
A condition in which babies fail to grow and develop properly
Suffer slower cognitive development
Fails to respond to people and objects
Cries weaken, smiles fade, becomes withdrawn
As adults, difficult to form meaningful relationships

16. Nurturing Throughout Life
As humans, we crave nurturing and love from other human beings
How do the following groups need nurturing?
Infants
Children
Teenagers
Adults
Elderly