The Basics of Early Childhood Development
explanatory Essay
2127 words
“If you think about the brain and the brain development if we don’t stimulate the brain then of course there is going to be lack of development.” (“Unruh”). Development is sempiternal in life, it moves through many stages into life such as learning to grasp a fork properly to grasping the thought of death. General development stages begin at birth and last till about age of 18, but the most important development stages start from birth and last till about six years of age. These early stages will affect how one will behave, interpret, and learn throughout the duration of one’s life. While bodily changes are rapidly occurring and the beginning of thought, opinion, and reason are just forming. It is important to understand as future parents or caregivers how and when their child, even if premature, is developing socially, cognitively, or physically. Now there are development standards defined and expectations of a child as a whole. The development standards define the milestones a child should pass by a certain age. These milestones are basically “what children should know and be able to do”. (Shala 7). Because of this early childhood development’s main goal is to thoroughly progress a child’s potential in their social, motor, and cognitive development. (“Early” 1). While development itself is made up of changes in the amount of difficulty attempting certain activities and acquiring skills, gradual movement from basic to complex adjustments in learning, and gaining new ways to move one's body. (Damovska et al 13). For this reason it has become dire for programs to exist that are aimed at younger groups of children so that their mental and social development may continue on track. (“Early” 1). While their level of behavioral unde... ... middle of paper ... ...English/3-childrensdevelopment.html>. "Physical and Cognitive Development."http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2013. . "Ready To Learn DC - Part One - Why preschool is so important.." Vimeo. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2013. . Shala, Merita et al. "Early Learning Development Standards for Children Age 0-6." www.masht-gov.net. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2012. . "Social and Personality Growth: Age 0–2." Social and Personality Growth: Age 0–2. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2013. . Unruh, Patricia. Personal Interview. 21 November 2013.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that development is sempiternal in life, and it moves through many stages into life such as learning to grasp a fork properly. the most important development stages start from birth and last until about six years of age.
- Explains that early childhood development is about progressing a child's social, motor, and cognitive development.
- Explains that cognitive development is a topic of research for psychologists and argues that piaget chose to categorize development in stages.
- Explains that infants and toddlers utilize vision, hearing, touching, grasping, and sucking to learn about things in their environment. the sensorimotor stage is where newborns gain the abilities to observe and form insight.
- Explains that motor development is the foundation for future speech enhancement, cognitive development, social competence, and emotional understanding.
- Explains that social and emotional development deals with interactions with others rather than personal thought or movement. positive experiences with adults, especially caregivers, and a secure environment during the first years of an infant and toddler's life are crucial for their futures.
- Concludes that it is crucial to understand where any given child stands in development, especially early childhood.
- Explains baby first - premature baby development and cognitive development: age 0–6. damovska, lena et al.
- Describes strategies to avoid the loss of developmental potential in more than 200 million children in the developing world.
- Explains that early learning development standards for children age 0-6 are available from the ministry of education, science and technology.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains the importance of early childhood cognitive development, and why it's important to "get 'em while they're young."
- Explains that the us department of education, academy of the sciences, and the foundation for child development conducted a study on early childhood development in 2001.
- Explains that neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize neural pathways based on new experiences.
- Explains that neuroplasticity is important because it is closely linked to the rate of brain development/growth. synaptic pruning is the elimination of weaker synapses in the brain facilitating growth of a stronger, more efficient brain.
- Explains that the eagar to learn study found five criteria that are based on neuroplasticity.
- Explains that the greatest amount of synaptic pruning occurs during the most rapid period of growth for the brain, or in the earliest years of a child's life.
- Concludes that addressing education of children while they are youngest is beneficial not only for their education, but also for the physical development of their brains.
- Cites erin hoiland's neuroscience consultant and eager to learn, study, online version of a text from the us department of education.
792 wordsRead More - Early Learning and Development Benchmarksexplanatory essayThe purpose of these Benchmarks is to assist early childhood programs know what the children should know and things they should be able to do when they enter Kindergarten. One of the purposes of the Benchmarks is for teachers and professionals to share the tool with their student’s parents so that they know what developmental expectations they should expect from their children. The Benchmarks are split into four critical stages: 18 months, 36 months, 60 months, and entering into kindergarten.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the early learning and development benchmarks recognize the importance of the first five years of life in a child and how children rely heavily on adults for their development and learning.
- Explains the purpose of the benchmarks to assist early childhood programs know what the children should know and things they should be able to do when they enter kindergarten.
- Opines that the benchmarks are not meant to be used as a guide to child development and should not be utilized as an assessment instrument to determine eligibility for services or programs.
- Argues that these benchmarks should recognize all children as capable of learning, achieving, and making developmental progress regardless of backgrounds, experiences, physical, or emotional conditions.
- Explains that the benchmarks are divided into four sub-domains: physical well-being, health, and motor development.
- Defines social and emotional development as a young child's ability to form and sustain social relationships with adults and other children.
- Explains the third domain, approaches toward learning, which focuses on the inclinations, dispositions, attitudes, habits, and styles that children involve themselves in learning.
- Explains that the fourth domain in the benchmarks is cognition and general knowledge. this sub-domain is divided into six categories: logic and reasoning, mathematics and numeracy, science, family, community, and culture.
- Explains that language, communication, and literacy are separate components in the benchmarks, although they are deeply intertwined. language development has three aspects, content (vocabulary and meaning), form (grammatical structure or syntax), and use (function).
- Explains that the washington state early learning and development benchmarks can be used for children birth to entry into kindergarten.
886 wordsRead More - Human Brain Developmentexplanatory essayChildren begin learning before they are even born. Some people may wonder how this is possible if the child hasn’t even taken its first breath yet, but it is true. Brain development begins in week four of their first trimester in the womb. This is important because the development helps a child learn and grow, effecting their future learning, education, and social skills. Brain development begins right in the womb and continues to flourish after birth. A child’s brain develops through neurons and their connections by synapses. Neurons communicate at synapses through the use of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals sent between neurons as well as the muscles and organs they work with. They attach to receptors on receiving cells, translating into messages. Synapses, the connections in the mind between nerve cells, must be reinforced in order for them to remain active. For example, if a parent incorporates music into a child’s life, those connections will be strong, allowing the child to be musically talented, and more likely able to switch from instrument to instrument. On the other hand, if a parent does not reinforce musical skills on a child, they may not be able to ever learn how to play an instrument in the future. Furthermore, brain development is influenced by nutrition, speech, environment, nurture or neglect, and early childhood programs, all occurring in two periods of life. A child’s brain development is influenced by events while in the womb and after birth.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that brain development begins in the womb and continues to flourish after birth. it is influenced by nutrition, speech, environment, nurture or neglect, and early childhood programs.
- Explains that a mother's influence on what she eats, and her speech, enhances or hinders the fetus' brain development.
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- Explains how a mother's speech influences the fetus' brain development during the second trimester. babies learn their mother’s voice and their native language through her speech.
- Explains that the neonatal period is the first 28 days of life for a baby and sets the tone for the rest of the book.
- Explains that the environment that a child is in influences their brain development. economic status can cause stress for the baby leading to depression issues and mental problems due to the lack of needs.
- Analyzes how neglect affects a child's brain development after birth, and how it shapes the world around them into trust and mistrust.
- Explains that early childhood programs influence a child's brain development from birth to age 5. children learn from every experience that they are involved in and are more likely to be successful academically.
- Opines that parents, caregivers, and educators are the ones who can either make or break a child’s brain development.
- Cites the center on the developing child, harvard university, 2013. they describe the effects of maternal malnutrition and postnatal nutritional rehabilitation on brain fatty acids, learning, and memory.
- Explains the effects of poverty on childhood brain development.
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In this essay, the author
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- States berger, k. s. (2012). the developing person: through childhood and adolescence. california department of education.
1968 wordsRead More - Early Childhood Brain Developmentexplanatory essayOver the last several years, various neurological and psychological studies have shown that the period from birth to the age of five lies a window of opportunity for social, emotional and cognitive growth of which will not be replicated in later stages of development. In the articles: The Science of Early Childhood Development Closing the Gap Between What We Know and What We Do and Newsweek article, Your Child’s Brain, neurologist provide data that early brain development, ages birth to five will shape the rest of a child’s life. . Focusing on early childhood brain development is a crucial element to building a better society.
In this essay, the author
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- Explains how spearman's theory of general intelligence (g) or intellectual quotient (iq) isn't effective in creating healthy child development.
- Opines that parents, community, and educators play a role in nurturing young minds. ages zero to five being the brain's peak developmental period is crucial to foster cognitive, language, social emotional and physical health.
- Explains shonkoff, j. p., m.d. and harvard university's the national scientific council in the developing child.
- Explains that early brain development, ages birth to five, will shape the rest of a child's life.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the modern early childhood curriculum refers to the experiences gathered throughout a child’s infancy and beyond.
- Opines that early childhood should be a time of spontaneity and exploration according to individual interests, thus accounting for the child's strengths and weaknesses, as well as their likes and dislikes, which promote optimum development.
- Explains that the context of learning refers to experiences which provide a learning opportunity for the child and can be delivered in structured or spontaneous environments, ultimately though they incorporate different learning procedures and techniques.
- Opines that the curriculum enforces a completely inclusive setting to reflect ethnic and cultural background, diablitiy and gender. this ensures no child feels isolated or segregated due to their background.
- Explains the importance of the hidden curriculum whereby children subconsciously obtain views and opinions from the world around them.
- Explains that the early childhood curriculum can be defined as one which is completely child centred and provides experiences which enhance a child's indiviual development.
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In this essay, the author
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- Describes how their daughter's physical development is at work in early childhood. the respiratory system begins to function, filling the lungs with air, putting oxygen in the blood.
- Explains that cognitive development is the construction of thought process, including remembering, problem solving, and decision making, from childhood through adolescence to adulthood.
- Explains erikson's theory on early child hood psychosocial development, which involves development of personality, relationships, and a sense of being mal or female.
- Concludes that our development, whether physical, cognitive, or psychosocial, goes back to how we are nurtured. our nurturing environment helps us physically if the nurture cares enough about us to take active prenatal care and eat the right foods during pregnancy.
1143 wordsRead More - Howard Garner Rhetorical Analysisanalytical essayIn high school, child development was on of my favorite subjects, apart from nutrition and dietetics. This video left me with a clear and precise summary of the main aspects of child development. As the oldest sibling from 3 children, I have witnessed first hand many of the theories and descriptions mentioned in the video.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that child development was one of their favorite subjects, apart from nutrition and dietetics, and this video left them with a clear and precise summary of the main aspects of childhood development.
- Analyzes how the video summarizes human development very clearly. they wanted to know more about howard garner's work and theories.
123 wordsRead More - Individuals with Disabilities Actexplanatory essay( 2004, March ). Early Years. Education Journal, Issue 75, p.22. Retrieved September 30, 2004, from Academic Search Premier.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that schools should pay more attention to the individuals with disabilities act and be more responsible to help these disabled kids.
- Opines that special education is focus of session; frustrated parents air their grievances.
- Explains early years, education journal, issue 75, p.22. retrieved september 30, 2004 from academic search premier.
- Explains that the 1975 "education for all handicapped children act" is a civil rights act, not an entitlement program.
- Opines that teachers need patience, the will to work with these kids, and not to have a biased opinion for any child. this law is very important to children who are suffering from being disabled.
- Explains that the government wants to make disabled children feel as comfortable in the school environment as they do in their own house.
- Explains that different schools have reviewed lesson plans that have been taught for these students to test their abilities and achievements.
- Explains the positive aspects of the idea law in m.l. vs federal way school district.
- Opines that the iep made a procedural error to one student and it shouldn't result in the school losing their jobs.
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1553 wordsRead More - Preschool: A Right or a Luxury?opinionated essayIf we had a tool that would improve our children's performance in school and social settings, lower the crime rate, lower teenage pregnancy, and save taxpayers' money, who wouldn't want to use it? Preschool is that tool, but few people pay attention to or care about preschool's potential benefits. For many parents, preschool is a valuable asset, providing their children with social play, fun, and an experience within a school-like setting. Children in preschool learn social skills like respect for authority, listening, and sharing; they also benefit from interaction with peers, which results in improved language and relational skills. Unfortunately, many parents simply cannot afford the expensive cost of private preschools, and there are few other options. Children are valuable as the future of the country, but the government has largely ignored them. Whether at the federal or state level, the government needs to create a free preschool available to all families.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the government needs to create a free preschool available to all families.
- Explains that changing demographics in america are leading to an increased need for preschools. in 1950, only 14% of mothers of children under six worked outside the home.
- Explains that millions of children are raised in poverty, especially minorities and children living in cities. they are more likely to drop out of school or become involved in juvenile crime and girls have a higher rate of teen pregnancy.
- Explains that the perry preschool study was begun in the 1960s and studied a group of children whose families were of low socioeconomic status. the results show overwhelming support for preschool.
- Explains that many people are opposed to preschool or full-time day care because they argue that children are best off in the home.
- Argues that the cost of a universal, government-funded preschool is the main obstacle to its success. in 1992, the u.s. spent $14.9 billion on early childhood education programs.
- Analyzes how the perry preschool study found that preschool programs are cost effective due to lower crime rates, less dependence on welfare, and higher projected earnings from program participants.
- Opines that private preschools and day cares are in desperate need of government funds. preschool teacher salaries are relatively low, with most teachers making less than $8 an hour.
- Explains that quality, universal preschool is a realistic goal. many european countries already have such programs. head start provides education and health care for children in low-income families.
- Opines that head start only serves a limited amount of children, and that we need an expanded plan to meet the needs of all america's children.
- Explains that a small student to teacher ratio is critical for quality preschool programs. head start classroom ratios range from 8:1 to 10:1, which is larger than the ideal of 5:1.
- Explains that many children benefit from play at home, but many kids spend hours in front of the tv and have little or no contact with other children.
- Opines that public-funded preschool is an invaluable tool to help children get a good start in life.
- Describes the works of marvin c. alkin, barbara r. bergmann, john berry, and anita ilta.
- Cites kirch, amy fowler, and lawrence j. schweinhart. making childcare work for everyone: lessons from the program recognition project.
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