Child Development Theorists Page 1

Agenda

Page #

Course Agenda
Pre-Assessment (1/7)
Theorists: Erikson (1902-1994)
Stages of Social-Emotional
Check for Understanding: Erikson (2/7)
Theorists: Jean Piaget (1896 -1980)
Cognitive Development Stages
Piaget's Stages of Development
Discussion: Jean Piaget (3/7)
Theorists: Maria Montessori (1870-1952)
The Montessori Classroom Environment
Check for Understanding: Maria Montessori (4/7)
Theorists: Reggio Emilia Approach
Reggio Emilia Early Childhood Schools
Theorists: Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934)
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Discussion: Reflect - Theorists (5/7)
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (6/7)
End of Course Assessment (7/7)
End of Course Evaluation

Course Description

3 Clock Hours
Early childhood theorists are the people who develop ideas and beliefs about how children grow and learn. Theorists use a variety of methods in developing their ideas including observations of children. Early childhood theories may include ideas about education, social development, health, physical development, and language development. Early childhood caregivers and teachers look to the various theories to provide the foundations for working with young children. As an early childhood education professional, you will use the theories in your work with children. After you have gained experience and learned more about early education, you will use the theories to form your own philosophy of early childhood education.

Learning Outcomes

Explain the core idea of each of the theorists as it pertains to early childhood education
Discuss how knowledge of different theories influence teaching practices
State activities that support different theorists
Compare your program to other programs that adhere to various theories of child development
Discuss which child development theory reflects your own personal beliefs
Identify fundamental characteristics of child development theories

Page 1

Move through the course by clicking on the NEXT PAGE button on the bottom right corner of the page.

Enrollment

If you have not previously purchased this course, you may do so now.

Registration Fee: $28.50

Important Student Information

Course Acknowledgments

A special thank you to Aurora Tollestrup BS Ed. for developing the curriculum for this course.

Course Resource Items

CDA Criteria for this Course

CDA Settings:

Infant/Toddler
Preschool
Family Child Care (Mixed-Age)

CDA Content Area: Understanding Principles of Child Development and Learning (3 hours)

Technical Requirements:

Laptop or PC
Most students are able to use mobile devices such as tablets to complete courses. However, each device is different, and an individual's skill level with the device may determine their success with using a mobile device.
Recommended web browser: Google Chrome

- Microsoft Edge, Safari and Firefox are other acceptable browsers.
- Internet Explorer is no longer supported by Microsoft, and you may have issues if you use it to take training.

Operating System

- Make sure you’re using a current operating system (for example, Windows 10).
- Outdated operating systems may cause technical difficulties.

Internet Speed

- Slow internet speed may impact loading time.

Videos may require Adobe Flash Player.

Sources

Atherton J S (2011) Learning and Teaching; Piaget's developmental theory [On-line: UK] retrieved 25 July 2012 from http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/piaget.htm
Trawick-Smith, J. (2008). Early childhood development: A multicultural perspective (Fifth ed.). New York, New York: Pearson.
Gonzales-Mena and Eyler (2009). Infant, toddler and caregivers: A curriculum of respectful, responsive, relationships based care and education. (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Child Development and DAP, NAEYC. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/positionstatements/dap
Piaget Stages of Cognitive Development, WebMd. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/children/piaget-stages-of-development#1
Erikson's First 4 Stages of Development, OPHIA Learning, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.sophia.org/tutorials/eriksons-first-4-stages-of-development
McLeod, S. A. (2018). Sensorimotor stage. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/sensorimotor.html

Child Development Theorists and Learning Theories