Developmental Factors That Affect Early Childhood - Research Paper Example

The theory covers both childhood and adulthood, detailing social tasks that ought to be accomplished for healthy development. The stages avail opportunities for development as well as personality growth. The theory holds that each stage represents a task that must be accomplished. The stages occur at crucial times of the development of the child. The first four stages are trust vs. mistrust; autonomy vs. shame; initiative vs. guilt; and industry vs. inferiority, which are the developmental stages starting at pre-school years up to puberty where the child centers on developmental competence.

The cognitive development theory, proposed by Jean Piaget, is one of the most powerful in early childhood education. The theory describes how children’s thinking evolves and its uniqueness. The theory spotlights children’s intelligence and thinking abilities as they emerge through distinct stages. Adaptation materializes any time fresh information or fresh experiences occur. The incorporation of fresh information into the psychological structure provokes disequilibrium. Disequilibrium arises from incongruence between new information and old structures. To remedy this, the processes of assimilation and accommodation are featured. Assimilation involves efforts to make new information fit into the existing concept. Accommodation, on the other hand, is a form of adaptation that characterizes manipulation of the schema or formation of a new concept.

Behaviorism, which was advanced by B.F Skinner, elevates the role of the environment in shaping all aspects of behavior. The overriding theme in the theory is reinforcement, which is the direct response that follows behavior. The theory stipulates that positive consequences enhance the probability of a behavior being repeated. Systematic awareness of behavior and its consequences can be utilized to encourage new behaviors, as well as eradicate unwelcome ones. Other methods proposed by the theory include shaping, punishment, and extinction.

Socio-cultural theory, which was derived by Vygotsky, gives importance to the social and cultural environment affecting the child’s development. A child’s learning is frequently sanctioned through the backing of adults or older peers. The older peers aid the child in learning novel skills within the zone of proximal development. This espouses the level at which the child can no longer accomplish a task alone and needs the help of older people. Transmission of particular cultural values, customs, and beliefs occurs through the social environment. Thus, the modeling, explanations, and suggestions should suit the child’s zone of proximal development.

Early childhood development concepts include understanding and perceptions of how the world works. This incorporates concepts such as contrasting object characteristics, size, shape, color, and function. Social concepts in early childhood include social interactions, communication, and moral behavior. Physical concepts, on the other hand, incorporate understanding the consequence of the movement of objects as well as fundamental mechanical and physical laws.

Developmental Factors that Affect Children
Growth and development hinges on multiple factors. These factors influence children’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development. Read More