Module 2: Expectations
Identify Physical Changes in Early, Middle, and Late Childhood
Early Childhood (2-6 years)
Growth: Children grow about 2.5 inches in height and gain about 5-7 pounds annually.
Motor Skills: Significant improvement in both gross motor skills (running, jumping) and fine motor skills (drawing, dressing).
Middle Childhood (6-11 years)
Growth: Steady growth continues, with children typically growing 2-3 inches per year and gaining about 5-7 pounds annually.
Motor Skills: Enhanced coordination and strength, improvements in handwriting, sports abilities, and other fine motor activities.
Late Childhood (11-14 years)
Growth: Onset of puberty, marked by rapid growth spurts, development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics.
Motor Skills: Continued refinement of motor skills, increased physical strength, and endurance.
Describe Cognitive Changes in Early, Middle, and Late Childhood
Early Childhood (2-6 years)
Preoperational Stage: Characterized by symbolic thinking, egocentrism, and animism. Children engage in pretend play but struggle with logical operations.
Middle Childhood (6-11 years)
Concrete Operational Stage: Development of logical thinking about concrete events, mastery of conservation, and ability to classify objects. Children understand concepts of time, space, and quantity but struggle with abstract thought.
Late Childhood (11-14 years)
Transition to Formal Operational Stage: Beginning of abstract thinking, problem-solving, and hypothesis testing. Improved ability to think about future possibilities and use deductive reasoning.
Summarize Language Development in Early, Middle, and Late Childhood
Early Childhood (2-6 years)
Rapid Vocabulary Growth: Expansion of vocabulary and improvement in grammar and syntax. Children begin to form complex sentences and understand basic rules of language.
Middle Childhood (6-11 years)
Refinement: Continued vocabulary growth, improved reading and writing skills, and greater understanding of complex grammatical structures. Enhanced ability to understand and use language pragmatically.
Late Childhood (11-14 years)
Advanced Language Skills: Ability to use and understand abstract language, metaphors, and idioms. Increased sophistication in writing and comprehension, especially in academic contexts.
Evaluate Different Approaches to Early Childhood Education
Montessori Approach
Child-Centered.
Emphasizes self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play. Children make creative choices in their learning, guided by teachers.
Child-Centered Kindergarten
Developmentally Appropriate: Focuses on the child's needs, interests, and learning styles. Emphasizes play and exploration over formal instruction.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)
Age-Appropriate Activities: Activities and expectations are tailored to children's age and developmental stage, promoting optimal learning and development.
Discuss Emotional and Personality Development in Early, Middle, and Late Childhood.
Early Childhood (2-6 years)
Self-Concept: Development of self-awareness and self-concept. Children begin to understand their own emotions and those of others.
Initiative vs. Guilt: Erikson's stage where children assert control over their environment. Success leads to a sense of initiative, while failure results in guilt.
Middle Childhood (6-11 years)
Industry vs. Inferiority: Erikson's stage where children work to gain competence in academic and social skills. Success leads to a sense of industry, while failure results in feelings of inferiority.
Emotional Regulation: Improved ability to manage emotions, understand others' perspectives, and navigate social relationships.
Late Childhood (11-14 years)
Identity vs. Role Confusion: Erikson's stage where adolescents explore different roles and ideas to develop a sense of personal identity. Successful resolution leads to a stable identity, while failure results in role confusion.
Explain the Roles of Family, Peers, Play, and Media in Children's Development from Early to Late Childhood
Family
Attachment and Parenting Styles.
Secure attachment and authoritative parenting contribute to positive emotional and social development.
Peers
Socialization and Support: Peer interactions help children develop social skills, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging. Friendships become increasingly important through middle and late childhood (Rubin et al., 2006).
Play
Developmental Benefits: Play is essential for cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. Different types of play, including constructive, social, and pretend play, contribute to various developmental domains.
Media
Influence on Behavior and Learning: Media can impact children's behavior, attitudes, and learning. Both positive and negative effects depend on content and context of media use.
Identify Children with Different Types of Disabilities and Discuss Issues in Their Education
Types of Disabilities
Learning Disabilities.
Disorders that affect the ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention.
ADHD: Characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Can impact academic performance and social interactions.
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Developmental disorders that affect communication, behavior, and social interactions.
Issues in Education
Inclusion: Integrating children with disabilities into regular classrooms, which can provide social benefits but may require additional support and resources.
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Tailored educational plans that address the specific needs of children with disabilities, ensuring they receive appropriate accommodations and support.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): Educating children with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers to the greatest extent appropriate.
Describe Developmental Changes in Parent-Child Relationships, Parents as Managers, Attachment in Families, and Stepfamilies
Developmental Changes in Parent-Child Relationships.
Early Childhood: Parent-child relationships are characterized by high levels of direct caregiving and supervision. Parents provide the basic needs, guidance, and emotional support that children need during this stage.
Middle Childhood: As children gain independence, the parent-child relationship evolves. Parents often shift from direct supervision to monitoring and guiding behavior more subtly, fostering autonomy while maintaining control.
Late Childhood: The relationship becomes more egalitarian. Adolescents seek more independence and parents adjust by negotiating and setting boundaries, maintaining a balance between autonomy and supervision.
Parents as Managers
Role: Parents act as managers by organizing their children's activities, monitoring their behavior, and serving as social initiators and facilitators.
Effectiveness: Effective parental management involves setting appropriate rules and expectations, providing structure, and offering consistent discipline and support.
Attachment in Families
Secure Attachment: Secure attachment forms when parents are responsive and sensitive to their children's needs. This attachment style is associated with positive outcomes in social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Insecure Attachment: Insecure attachment, resulting from inconsistent or unresponsive caregiving, can lead to difficulties in relationships and emotional regulation.
Stepfamilies
Challenges: Stepfamilies face unique challenges, such as integrating family members, establishing new roles, and dealing with loyalty conflicts. Children may experience adjustment difficulties during this transition.
Adaptation: Successful adaptation in stepfamilies involves open communication, maintaining consistency in parenting, and fostering positive relationships among all family members.
Characterize Aspects of Schooling in Children's Development in Middle and Late Childhood
Academic Achievement
Influence of Schooling.
Schooling plays a critical role in cognitive development, providing structured learning experiences and opportunities for intellectual growth.
Teacher Influence: Effective teachers foster a positive learning environment, set high expectations, and provide support, which contributes to higher academic achievement.
Social Development
Peer Relationships: School provides a primary context for peer interactions. Positive peer relationships contribute to social skills, self-esteem, and emotional well-being.
Bullying: Negative peer interactions, such as bullying, can have detrimental effects on children's mental health and academic performance. Anti-bullying programs and supportive school environments are crucial.
Extracurricular Activities
Benefits: Participation in extracurricular activities is associated with higher academic performance, better social skills, and increased self-esteem. These activities provide opportunities for skill development and social interaction.
School Environment
School Climate: A positive school climate, characterized by safety, supportive relationships, and student engagement, promotes academic and socioemotional development.