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M R S . L A U E R

Chapter 1 Learning About Children

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN CHILDREN’S LIVES

Section 1.1

Objectives:

�  After this chapter you will be able to: ¡  Explain the best way to learn about children. ¡  Identify three areas of childhood that researchers have studied. ¡  Summarize how children learn and develop important skills. ¡  List the stages of development after childhood. ¡  Determine why observation is important in the study of child

development. ¡  Compare and contrast different methods of observation and

interpretation.

Understanding Children & Yourself

�  Learning more about how children grow and develop will help you understand children better.

�  By interacting with children and understanding their behaviors, you will: ¡  Learn why children feel, think, and act the way they do ¡  Discover caregivers’ importance ¡  Enjoy children more ¡  Learn about career opportunities

Key Vocabulary:

�  Typical behavior- a way of acting or responding that is common at each stage of childhood.

�  Understanding these behaviors can help you respond to children more appropriately.

�  Caregiver- A person who takes care of a child. STUDYING CHILDREN

Chapter 1.2

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Importance of Child Development:

�  Childhood prepares us for adulthood. �  Research has shown that early childhood may be the

most important life stage for brain development. �  Scientists have found that a baby’s brain develops in

direct response to stimulation.

�  Stimulation- any activity that arouses a baby’s sense of sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. ¡  Improves curiosity, attention span, memory & nervous system

development.

Stimulation Toys:

Characteristics of Development:

�  Development is similar for each individual. ¡  All children go through the same stages in the same order.

�  Development builds upon earlier learning. ¡  Follows a sequence; order of steps

�  Development proceeds at an individual rate. ¡  Each child goes through stages at his/her own pace.

�  The different areas of development are interrelated. ¡  Many changes occur at the same time.

�  Development is continuous throughout life. ¡  The rate of development varies but never stops.

Influences on Development:

�  Children develop at different rates because each has a unique combination of factors influencing their development.

�  The factors of heredity fall into two categories: ¡  1. Heredity- the biological transfer of certain characteristics

from earlier generations. Ex: blood type, eye color, and hair color.

¡  2. Environment- the people, places, and things that surround and influence a person including family, home, school, and community.

Heredity vs. Environment

�  Discussion: Which do you think influences children more? Is it equal?

The Role of Self-Esteem in Development:

�  Self-Esteem- or self-worth is the value people place on themselves. It plays a role in people’s ability to face and overcome the challenges of each developmental stage. �  A sense of self-worth is critical to children’s development.

�  What are ways we can help children develop self-

esteem?

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Ways to Help Children Develop Self-Esteem:

�  Give praise �  Do not be overly critical. �  Set realistic goals. �  Encourage new activities. �  Model self-esteem. �  Be honest about mistakes.

¡  Discussion: Some people think it is possible for parents to overly praise their children. What might happen to a child if her parents say, “Good job!” for every minor task the child completes.

Stages of Life After Childhood:

�  Development continues from birth to death. �  The Human Life Cycle- is a set of stages of human

development that each present different challenges to be met or skills to be acquired.

�  Developmental Task- The challenge to be met or skill to be acquired in each stage.

Discussion:

�  What are common characteristics of each life stage? ¡  Adolescence ¡  Young Adulthood ¡  The thirties ¡  Middle age ¡  Late adulthood ¡  Very late adulthood

Exit Card:

�  Each person will be handed a white note card. �  Your header should have:

¡  First & Last Name ¡  Today’s date ¡  Class Period

�  On the note card answer the following in complete sentences:

�  Explain why early childhood is considered the most important period for brain development.

�  Next, go around the room & share with one another what you wrote on your card.

�  See if you had similar answers or different ones from one another.

M R S . L A U E R

Section 1.3 Observing Young Children

Why Observe Children?

�  Observation allows caregivers to better understand individual children and their particular needs.

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Objective vs. Subjective Observations:

�  Subjective- Means to rely on personal opinions and feelings, rather than facts, to judge an event.

�  Objective- Means something is factual, and leaves aside personal feelings and prejudices.

�  Assumption- A fact that is taken for granted.

Types of Observation Records:

�  Running Record- a record of everything observed for a set period, such as 15 minutes. ¡  Useful for observers who are just getting to know the child or

children. �  Anecdotal Record- a report of a child’s actions that

concentrates on specific behavior or area of development.

�  Frequency Count- a tally of how often a certain behavior occurs. ¡  Useful when trying to change a behavior or get the behavior to

stop.

Types of Observation Records cont.

�  Baseline- a count made before any steps are taken to try to change the behavior.

�  Developmental Checklist- a list of skills children should master, or behaviors they should exhibit at a certain age.

How to Act While Observing:

�  Two ways to observe: ¡  Formally ¡  Informally

�  Do NOT ever want to be noticed. �  Blend into the environment as much as possible.

How to Interpret Observations:

�  Interpretation- The analysis an observer forms and expresses about what was observed. ¡  Must remain objective.

�  Confidentiality- The protection of another person’s privacy by limiting access to personal information.