Developmental_Stages_for_Children

Simao P. Alves November 8, 2010 Child Development Stages The thought of a child developing is a derivative as to how we want society to turn into. More often than not, the human psyche is taught to eat, breathe and sleep a certain way. However, there are some qualities in which a child develops that cannot be taught but are simply inherited through human nature. There have been several theories in which society has looked into in order to better understand why people behave a certain way. Different theorists have developed their own analysis as to how child development can be looked. Parents have also looked into some of these theories to help discipline their children and see past some of the behaviors society has learned to accept. There are many theorists that can be mentioned however, there are three that have made some important milestones in society. The theories developed by Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky and Erik Erikson, have made a great impact on society and have furthered studies on child development. Before explaining some of these theories, it is important to understand what the child development stages are and how they exactly function. There is no right or wrong way in which one can develop an outline as to the child development stages. Since there are many influences as to how a child’s development is to be created, there can be some blurriness as to such theories. Discussing three theories in child development will certainly enlighten the idea as to how societies have developed throughout history. Jean Piaget Jean Piaget (B. 1896-1980) began his career as a biologist but later moved into the study of Child Development and understanding. He observed, spoke, and listened to them while they worked on exercises he set. His theories and studies have been very inspiring especially in educational theory. He had a great insight on the role of maturation in children’s increasing capacity to understand the world that surrounds them. In addition, he proposed that children’s thinking does not develop entirely smoothly. Instead there are certain times that development breaks out and moves into completely new areas and capabilities. By analyzing children’s responses and how they responded to certain questions, helped him to understand the development of a child from egocentrism to sociocentrism. The way in which a child would respond, helped to understand how society perhaps wanted their children to respond in certain situations. In one of Piaget’s tests he showed an infant a toy then covered it, resulting in the toy ceased to exist to the infant- called Object permanence. Secondly, is the Pre-operational stage (ages 2-7 yrs), in this stage children learn to use language and represent objects by images and words. The thinking in this stage is still egocentric and has difficulty taking viewpoints of others. Parents who observe their children during these developmental stages can make a clear distinction as to how far their child has development through learned behavior as well. Respectively, Paiget’s other stages like the Concrete operational (ages 7-11 yrs) and Formal operational (11 yrs – up) stages, they can develop a form of logical thinking. During Concrete operational children can think logically about objects and events. With Formal operational stage, children can think logically about abstract propositions by testing hypotheses systematically. Piaget’s ideas about the child’s mind stimulated worldwide interest and still to this day remains in many Psychologists’ works and thoughts. Lev Vygotsky Lev Vygotsky was a developmental psychologist born in Orsha, Russia. Academically he first studied law at the University of Moscow in 1913. He directed his theories to two types of functioning points in the study of child development. One being the Natural function, it consisted of biological growth both physical and cognitive development. In this stage, cultural function also affected cognitive development. This goes to show that suggested learning and developmental are made easy in a hypothetical region called the zone of proximal development (ZPD). This part represented the distance between a child’s independent cognitive ability and the child’s potential. Thus, the child’s natural ability is broadened through learning and does not fully mature without instructions. Vygotsky also turned his attention to children with disabilities, suggesting with or without disabilities children should be educated. Vygotsky was considered to be ahead of his time. However, he died at a young age (37) and was never able to offer a comprehensive Theory of Child Development. Even still, his ideas especially on children with disabilities have influenced modern child development throughout the world. Social interaction in many instances plays a great role in the development of children in our society. Without any kind of instruction, a child will not have that extra push start to their development. Always keep in mind every child is different, but the stages will always be the same. The development of language for example, is a great example in which Vygotsky developed his theories on child development and the affects a culture will have on that child. It is taught and developed as an external tool of communication. Developing a type of speech is an aide in social interaction for the child. Nonetheless, for deaf children in society, it might not be completely beneficial. Erik Erikson Influenced by Freud, Erikson had his own take on developmental stages. He organized life into eight stages that extended from birth to death. The first three stages are vital to child development. The first Stage is Infancy (Birth to 18 months) in which Erikson refers infancy as the oral sensory stage (just as Piaget) where the emphasis is on the mother’s positive and loving care. He explains that we pass successfully through this period of life, we will learn to trust that life is basically okay. Thusly, it will lead to more confidence in our future and infants do not get this loving care and we may end up with a feeling of worthlessness and mistrust in the environment around us in our later years. That usually translates to receiving care from our maternal parents or whoever is our most significant caregiver. The second stage is called Early Childhood (ages 18 months to 3 yrs). During this stage children learn to master skills for themselves. Not only do they learn how to walk, talk and feed themselves, they are learning finer motor development and the much-appreciated Toilet Training. This is when they start to build self-esteem through trial and error. The Third Stage is called the Play Age (ages 3 to 5 yrs), during this stage Erikson states that the child experiences the desire to copy the adults around and takes initiative in creating play situations. Such as when a child takes out his or her doll and plays out a role as an adult. In this stage the word “why'” becomes very popular with children. It opens their minds into the what if and how. Piaget, Vygotsky, and Erikson are all different and similar in their theories. However, all have made a difference to modern day psychology. All three theorists have mentioned how a child’s development changes through learned behavior into thinking outside the box. Their differences and similarities have opened the minds of many people in helping to create children’s programs and settings that can increase productivity in society. Noticeably because today’s society has changed, either bad or good, it is part of our child’s development. Moreover, culture has played a major role in child development. What a child is taught their respective culture will certainly instill values and morals. Thusly, it remains in the control of each culture to initially begin teaching a child the do and don’ts in human development. These theories have opened the windows to many psychologists in the making. By exploring certain cultural behaviors, these theories can be further expanded in real life situations.