Philosophies Theories and Models Chart Theory 2022

Philosophies, Theories, and Models Chart
Theory Theorist(s) Description Effect on Early Childhood
Education
Sources
Maturational Theory Arnold Gesell The growth as well as the
development of a child is
influenced by their
environment as well as genes
which should be consistent
with the inner maturational
timetable
Teaching children things that
are ahead of their
developmental schedule does
them more harm than good.
Wilcox, D. T., &
Baim, C. (2016).
Applications of the
Dynamic‐Maturational
Model of Attachment
with Children
Involved in Care and
Family
Proceedings. Child
abuse review, 25(4),
287-299.
Constructivist Theory John Dewey Children learn by
constructing knowledge
based on the inside rather
than through internalizing
such learning directly from
the environment
Children acquire more
knowledge by doing, adapting,
reflecting, as well as through
problem-solving and critical
thinking
Charmaz, K. (2017).
The power of
constructivist
grounded theory for
critical
inquiry. Qualitative
inquiry, 23(1), 34-45.
Cognitivist Theory Jean Piaget The theory suggests that
children pass through four
stages of their mental
development. The focus is on
how children acquire
The effect is the adaptation of
instructions to the development
level of a child. The
instructions need to be
consistent with the child’s
Cowan, N. (2014).
Working memory
underpins cognitive
development, learning,
and
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knowledge as well as the
nature of intelligence
development stage education. Educational
psychology
review, 26(2), 197-
223.
Moral and
Developmental Theory
Lawrence Kohlberg Defines the process children
undergo in developing proper
attitudes along with
behaviors towards
individuals in society which
is dependent on social and
cultural norms, rules, and
laws.
Children behave morally to
avoid the authority and being
punished
Gibbs, J. C.
(2019). Moral
development and
reality: Beyond the
theories of Kohlberg,
Hoffman, and Haidt.
Oxford University
Press.
Sociocultural Theory Lev Semyonovich
Vygotsky
The theorist explains that
learning takes place when
individuals are socially
interacting.
Cultural factors such as social
norms, art, social structures,
language affect the
development of a child’s
cognitive abilities
Edwards, S. (2014).
Towards
contemporary play:
Sociocultural theory
and the digital-
consumerist
context. Journal of
Early Childhood
Research, 12(3), 219-
233.
Ecological Theory Urie
Bronfenbrenner
All the elements in a child as
well as their environment
affects their growth and
development
The rate of growth and
development of a child id
greatly impacted by the
environment, especially the
microsystem which includes
people close to the child
Espelage, D. L.
(2014). Ecological
theory: Preventing
youth bullying,
aggression, and
victimization. Theory
into Practice, 53(4),
257-264.
Psychosocial Theory Erik Erikson The theory provides a The psychological environment Casillas, A., Robbins,

description of the role played
by social interactions and
relationships in a person’s
growth and development
in the early stages of
development of a child affects
their health and well-being
S., Allen, J., Kuo, Y.
L., Hanson, M. A., &
Schmeiser, C. (2012).
Predicting early
academic failure in
high school from prior
academic
achievement,
psychosocial
characteristics, and
behavior. Journal of
Educational
Psychology, 104(2),
407.
Behaviorist Theory B.F. Skinner The theory focuses on
learning based on observable
behaviors
The response of a child to the
environmental stimuli shape
their actions
Cohen, L. E., &
Waite-Stupiansky, S.
(Eds.).
(2017). Theories of
early childhood
education:
Developmental,
behaviorist, and
critical. Taylor &
Francis.
Multiple Intelligence
Theory
Howard Gardner The theory redefines
intelligence as comprising of
several modalities rather than
one general ability that is
measured through SAT
scores or aptitude tests.
The use of different
intelligences in teaching
concepts allows each child to
succeed.
Calık, B., & Birgili, B.
(2013). Multiple
intelligence theory for
gifted education:
Criticisms and
implications. Journal
for the Education of
Gifted Young