Common Theoretical Perspectives on Child Development and Learning

This report discusses the common theoretical perspectives on child development and how children learn. It explores Freud's psychosexual theory, Erikson's psychosocial theory, behavioral theories, and Piaget's cognitive theory. The report emphasizes the importance of early experiences and social interactions in shaping a child's development.

Child Development

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................2
Some common theoretical perspectives relating to child development and how children learn.2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4
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INTRODUCTION
Child development basically consists of psychological, biological and emotional changes
which a child goes through during the early years of their lives basically from birth to adult hood.
Main stages of early childhood consist of childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. In the
present report common theoretical perspectives relating to child development and how children
learn will be discussed.
MAIN BODY
Some common theoretical perspectives relating to child development and how children learn
The theoretical perspectives of child development refer to how changes appear in child
when they start to grow up. It includes the following:
Freud's Psychosexual Developmental Theory: In this theory the author has described
that conflicts which are being faced by children in their early childhood can have a long-lasting
impact on their thoughts and personality (Bever, 2017). Freud has argued that child learns in
every stage of life and the failure to fix conflict at any stage can have effect on their adult
behaviour. This theory has explained that personality of a child goes through different changes,
the early experiences have greatest role in shaping their future.
Erikson's Psychosocial Developmental Theory: this theory consists of eight steps
which has broadly defined the development of child. In this author has laid emphasis on social
interaction and conflicts which can be faced by child in every stage. Author believes that these
factors have major decisive impact on growth of child. This theory suggests that child face
development crisis at every stage and overcoming these challenges can lead to a lifelong
psychological virtue.
Behavioral Child Development Theories: In this theory the authors have explained that
a child can only learn from the process of reinforcement and association. In this framework it has
been explained that various environmental factors have an impact on the development of child.
They learn from the behavior of their parents, what they do and how they act. So, this theory
suggest that it is really necessary to act better in front of children during their early years of life.
This theory is developed on observable behavior (Lyons and et.al., 2020). In this the child can
have certain reaction to rewards and punishments. Authors have not given any consideration to
internal thoughts and feelings. Children can learn from classical conditioning and operant
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conditioning. In the first one child grows by seeing the re-enforcement. In operant learning, child
grows by learning through rewards and punishment in order to modify their behavior.
Piaget's Cognitive Developmental Theory: In this theory it has been explained that
children have different opinions than adults. They develop through thought process and their
mental states. It has four stages based on development and learning of child. In this author has
explained that develops when they logically think about concrete events happened in their lives.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarised that there are various ways through which
child can learn and develop. In the early stages, they learn what they see by observing things
around them.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Lyons, M.D. and et.al., 2020. THEORIES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT. Theories of School
Psychology: Critical Perspectives, p.16.
Bever, T.G. ed., 2017. Regressions in mental development: Basic phenomena and theories (Vol.
1). Routledge.
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