UNIT 1
LEARNING ABOUT CHILDREN
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Beginning Your Study of
Children
Child Development Unit 1- Learning About Children
Textbook Chapter 1-1
Why is Childhood Important?
 The foundation for future development is set.
 Connections between nerve cells in the brain are
built allowing the brain to think and control the
body.
 These connections are built by stimulating the
brain.
 Talking, Playing, Moving, Interacting with
Surroundings etc.
Why is Childhood Important?
 Child Development = the study of how children
master new skills.
 It is divided into 5 areas of study1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Physical Development- muscles and use of body
Social Development- communication with the world
Emotional Development- expression of feelings
Moral Development- sense of right and wrong
Intellectual Development- learning
Why Study Children?
 To Understand Children…
 Why children act, feel, and think as they do.
 The importance of caregivers.
 To Gain Skills…
 Understanding what a child needs at each stage of
development.
 To prepare for a role as a parent or caregiver.
Why Study Children?
 To Understand Yourself…
 What has helped you develop into the person you are
today?
 To Build for the Future…
 Become a better parent or caregiver.
 Make decisions for yourself and your family.
 Prepare for life’s multiple responsibilities.
Journal Entry
Respond to the following statement in the Journal
section of your notebook.
“Only people who already have children or who are
wanting a career that is child-related should study
child development.”
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Explain your answer.
Understanding Childhood
Child Development Unit 1- Learning About Children
Textbook Chapter 1-2
What is Childhood?
 Childhood is the period of life separate from
adulthood.
 Early Childhood is the period of life from birth to
age 8.
 The study of child development is relatively new.
 Not until the 1900’s did people begin to think of
this period of growth as important.
Childhood Past vs. Present
Past
Present
Work:
• Everyone had a job to do to.
• Different household jobs were
given based on age.
Work:
• Most do not work until adulthood.
• The job of a child now is to play.
Play:
• Fewer toys that were homemade
from wood.
Play:
• Lots of toys- video games,
electronics, toys made from plastic
and metal.
Education:
• Small schools- one room and one
teacher for all children.
• No public education for all &
attendance not required.
Education:
• Large schools with several
buildings and classrooms.
• Public education for everyone &
attendance is required.
Childhood Past vs. Present
Past
Present
Health:
• Every child born did not survive.
• Disease caused death in nearly
every family.
Health:
• Disease is controlled and many are
prevented through immunizations.
Dress:
• Children dressed like small adults.
• Clothes were made from the same
materials, just smaller in size.
Dress:
• Different colors and fabrics are
used.
Care:
• Children stayed home and worked
to maintain family life.
• Cared for by family members.
Care:
• Children leave the home to go to
an outside caregiver while parents
work.
What Researchers Have Found…
Characteristics of Development
 Development is similar for everyone.
 Children go through the same stages in about the
same order.
 Ex: Most babies lift their heads before the lift their
bodies.
 Development builds on earlier learning.
 Development follows a sequence or pattern.
 Ex: Learning words then forming sentences.
What Researchers Have Found…
Characteristics of Development
 Development proceeds at an individual rate.
 Although children follow the same pattern of development the
speed at which they master new skills will be different.
 Ex: The age at which a child says their 1st word.
 The areas of development are interrelated.
 All areas of development are changing at the same time and have
an impact on one another.
 Ex: As a child learns more words they are able to express their
emotions easier.
 Development continues throughout life.
 Development never stops.
Influences on Child Development
 Heredity
 Passing of characteristics through generations.
 Ex: Blood Type, Eye Color, Hair Color.
 Environment
 The people, places, and things that surround us.
 Ex: Family, Home, Friends, Community
 Which has the stronger influence?
 Most today believe that they both have great
influence on development.
Journal Entry
Respond to the following question in the journal
section of your notebook.
What skills and qualities make a good caregiver?
What can someone who doesn’t have these skills or
qualities do to obtain them?