1. Intro to Child Development Adapted from Chapter 1 “The Developing Child” 7 th Edition

2. Vocabulary Terms Child development –The study of how children grow in different ways (physically, mentally, emotionally and socially) Behavior –A way of acting or responding Nutrition –A balance of all the food substances needed for health and growth Formula –A mixtures of milk or milk substitutes and added nutrients Sequence –Step by step pattern Heredity –Passing of characteristics that are physically inherited from previous generations Environment –The people, places and things that surround and influence an individual

3. Rewind What was your childhood like? What were your likes? Dislikes? What kind of relationship did you have with older children and teens?

4. Fast forward How would you describe your relationships with children in your life today? Do you enjoy children of all ages? Do children like you?

5. What can I do to make a difference in a child’s life?

6. Understanding children As you interact with children: –You will more fully appreciate all characteristics of human development –Your powers of observation will improve –You will discover that children are fun –You will be able to apply your learning to everyday life –You will learn practical techniques of caring for children –You will begin to see why children act, feel, and they as they do

7. How is childhood different now? Work Health and nutrition Dress Parental love

8. The Growth of Child Study There is now a great importance on understanding and guiding children Binet, Piaget, Freud, Gesell and Erikson have all played an important role in understanding childhood behavior

9. Characteristics of Development Similar for everyone Builds on earlier learning Proceeds at an individual rate Different areas of child development are interrelated Continuous throughout life

10. Importance of Play Physically –Muscles in back, arms and legs develop –Strength and balance –Fine motor skills Intellectually –Gathering and organizing Emotionally –Helps children work through life’s challenges and problems Socially –Gradually learn to play together

11. How to observe play Choose a time and a place Record what you see Watch interactions with others Keep observations confidential

12. Influences on Development Heredity Environment Peers Community

13. Exit Slip On your own paper, discuss your response to the following statement: “Only students who already are parents, plan to become parents or who want careers in child-related fields should study child development.” Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?