Child Development Theories - PDF

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Added on 2020-10-22

Child Development Theories - PDF

Added on 2020-10-22

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Child development

INTRODUCTION It is important to have effective strategies and adaptation of theories that can help inunderstanding child development aspects. The report makes comprehensive discussion regardingvarious theories which have been discussed by various theorists, with respect to childdevelopment. It will discuss regarding theories that are related to development related tocognition, speech, language, communication, physical social and emotional aspects. The reportalso discusses regarding application of these theories so as to implement these theories andanalyse their role in overall development of the child. In the end, discussion regardingimportance of application of these theories will be broadly discussed in the report. 3.1 Description of theories Cognitive developmentCognitive development is related field of neuroscience and psychology which primarilyfocus on development of a child in terms of precession of information, perpetual skills,conceptual resources, language learning and other aspects. However, in adult terms, cognitivedevelopment can be defined as emerging abilities so as to consciously understand and articulatesubject matter. It is also called as intellectual development, as in the case of adults (Cherry,2012). Piaget theory of cognitive development is a comprehensive theory which helps indescribing nature and development of human intelligence. It plays a substantial role inunderstanding nature of knowledge and how human come under acquiring, constructing andusing it. This theory is generally known to be developmental stage theory. It helps inunderstanding progressive reorganization of mental processes that results in biologicalmaturation and development environmental experience as well (Dweck, 2013). As per beliefs of1

this theory, children tend to construct adequate understanding of the world that has been builtaround them; experience discrepancies between what they are already aware of and what newhave been discovered by them in the environment. Based on the outcomes, they get involved inadjusting their ideas. Piaget also claimed that development if the centre focal of human organismand language is contingent on knowledge and understanding that is acquired with the help ofcognitive development. Speech, language and communication developmentSpeech, language and communication plays an important role in overall development of achild. Chomsky’s theory child’s speech, language and communication development discussesregarding these aspects in a well-defined manner. Since, children are not born with universallanguage syntax encoded in their DNA, so that they can learn to speak, communicate and use aparticular language. The encoded syntax helps them to grasp basic workings of language. Hence,it can be stated that acquiring a particular language is a biological inheritance which can then beused for child interaction and native environment (Bornstein and Bradley, 2014). Being linguistic or using a particular language as a part of speech helps in producinginfinite number of sentences that may not be previously spoken and understand them which maynot be heard before. Chomsky have called it as creative aspect of language. Analysing andunderstanding the mechanism of language can help in facilitating and elucidating the pattern thatis related to human thought. In order to perform his aspect, syntax is used to ease the facility ofunderstanding that further helps in development of language speech and communication skills.Physical developmentOne of the most important aspect is physical development. The process generally startsfrom birth and matures till adulthood. Arnold Gessel was able to describe physical development2

of the child who shared the concept of maturational theory. It suggests that, it is due to biologicalmake up of a child which makes overall physical development possible. Although, there can be abit of influence of environment as well, in their overall development (Sampson, 2017). It can bestated that there is equal contribution of genes and environment in overall physical developmentof a child. However, genes are the principal factors of physical development. Social and culturalenvironment factors also play an important role in overall physical development of the child. Friedrich Froebel is another theorist who have been able to give physical developmenttheory for children. He focussed on importance of playing activities. He stated that outdoorenvironment plays a substantial role in overall learning and development of children. Hence, itbecomes important for parents and guardians to indulge children in physical outdoor activities soas to promote overall development. Since, modern based education has its own unique needs andcapabilities.As per the beliefs of Maria Montessori, children are able to learn their best when they usetheir hands. Hence, experimental based education, whether in the form of studies or playactivities, plays an important role in overall physical development of a child. It is important tohave a prepared environment that can help in overall growth, where children can experiment andlearn. Further, she also stated regarding importance of exploration and creating an environmentwhich is fit for overall physical development of a child (Charlesworth, 2013). Social and emotional developmentApart from cognitive and physical development, it is also important to have social as well asemotional development of an individual. A psychologist named, Lev Vygotsky, believed thatchildren tend to learn when they have active participation in social activates and try their hands-on experiences (Blair and Raver, 2012). His sociocultural theory stated that there are various3

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Child Development Theories - PDF