Child Development: Key Concepts and Stages
Key Concepts in Child Development
Piaget’s Theory
Centration
Centration is the process by which a child focuses on only one aspect of a situation, neglecting other important features.
Accommodation
Accommodation refers to the modification of existing mental structures to incorporate new information or experiences.
Circular Reactions
Primary circular reactions are repetitive behavioral sequences that focus on the infant’s own body and occur by chance.
Reversibility
Reversibility is the ability to mentally reverse a sequence of events or actions, returning to the starting point. This is characteristic of the concrete operational stage.
Symbolic or Semiotic Function
The semiotic or symbolic function is the ability to use symbols (like words or images) to represent objects or events that are not present.
Egocentrism
Egocentrism, as defined by Piaget, is the child’s inability to understand another person’s perspective or point of view.
Preoperational Stage
The most significant developmental milestone in the preoperational stage is the development of symbolic function.
Artificialism
Artificialism is the belief that natural phenomena are created by human beings or a divine entity.
Other Important Concepts
Proximo-Distal Law
According to the proximo-distal law of development, a child first develops control of muscles closer to the center of the body (like the torso) before those further away (like the elbows and wrists).
Self-Concept (2-6 Years)
The self-concept of children aged 2 to 6 years is often characterized by an overly positive self-image.
Attachment
Attachment relationships serve multiple functions, including providing a secure base for exploration and emotional regulation.
Self-Esteem
To foster healthy self-esteem at any age, teachers should provide challenges and expectations that are appropriate for the child’s developmental level.
Finalism
Finalism is the belief that everything has a predetermined purpose or cause.
Self-Concept in Preschool
During the preschool years, children tend to describe themselves based on concrete, observable characteristics rather than internal, psychological attributes.
Tertiary Circular Reactions
When a baby repeats an action with variations, they are engaging in a tertiary circular reaction. This typically occurs between 12 and 18 months of age.
Intuition
Intuition is a type of thinking where children are primarily guided by perceptual information rather than logical reasoning.
Symbolic Play
Symbolic play is a type of play where children use objects to represent other things. It is important because it allows children to express their interests and feelings without censorship.
Vygotsky’s Theory
Vygotsky emphasized the crucial role of social interaction and interpersonal relationships in cognitive development.
Scripts and Event Schemas
Scripts or event schemas are mental representations of familiar sequences of events. They help children organize and recall information in an orderly manner.
Relationships in Scripts
The elements within a script or event schema are connected by causal relationships.
The Three Mountains Task
Piaget’s Three Mountains Task demonstrates that young children often believe that everyone else sees and thinks the same way they do.