Pedagogy

This semester, my course in Growth and Development of Young Children has facilitated my understanding in the subject area of child development. Through our comprehensive readings and educational class discussions ranging from theorists, developmental domains, family and culture, typical and atypical development, assessmentsobservations to current social issues, I was able to gain knowledge and skills that are essential for my personal as well as professional growth.

Theories-  I really enjoyed learning about all the theories involving the stages of child development. I have learned that there are many and varying factors that affect a child s personality and cognitive behavior. Also, I have discovered that every child differs developmentally, individually, linguistically and culturally. Because of this idea, I believe that there is no single correct or incorrect theory but more of a combination of the principles of each of the theorists such as Freud, Erickson, Piaget and Vygotsky.

- Freud (Psychoanalytic theoryPsychosexual theory) suggested that our personalities  emerge at periods of development through biological systems, primarily the mouth, the anus, and the sex organs  (Puckett, 2009, p. 12). When conflicts between these early sources are not resolved, one may become fixated at a particular stage of development.

- Erikson (Psychosocial theory), expanding on Freud s theories, suggested that it is social desires that influence behavior more compared to sexual drives (Puckett, 2009, p. 12).

- Piaget (CognitiveConstructivism theory), suggested that children construct their own theories of their world around them by assimilating new information into their existing knowledge (schemata) or by accommodating  (adjusting) to new information (Puckett, 2009, pp.15-16).

- Vygotsky (Socioculture Theory), expanding on Piaget s theory suggested that culture and social interactions guide cognitive behavior children s social interactions with more skilled adults and peers are essential in advancing cognitive development (Puckett, 2009, p.16). I also found Urie Bronfenbrenner s Biological system theory to be very interesting. He argued that the development of a child is greatly influenced by hisher environment and himselfherself (i.e. intrafamilial affected by extrafamilial). He has identified four essential environmental systems of influence that hold certain roles, norms and rules which are the following (1) Microsystem refers to how a child acts or reacts to its immediate setting where heshe lives (family, schooldaycare, neighborhood, and friends) that greatly affect hisher growth (2) Mesosystem is the relationship between the various areas of the child s microenvironment and how it affects hisher growth (parent s and schooldaycare instinct with each other) (3) Exosystem refers to the external factors that indirectly affects development (parents employmentjob security) whether negatively or positively and (4) Macrosystem is the largest and the most remote set of people and things to a child but has still a great influence over a child (Puckett, 2009, pp16-17).

Areas of Development-   By understanding the various styles that are involved in learning amongst children, adults can have the opportunity to encourage and increase a child s engagement, curiosity, creativity, independence, cooperation and persistence. There are three developmental domains which are (1) Socialemotional which is associated with socialization, self-confidence and sense of well-being (2) Physicalmotor that refers to the development of body, development of largegross motor and smallfine motor skills and (3) Cognitivelanguageliteracy which involves the mind and show how the mind works, problem solving skills, cause and effect and communication through language and writing. It is important to remember that each area of development is interdependent with each other and each child develops at hisher own pace which means that heshe must not be rushed. In other words, one must master first the skill set for hisher appropriate age group. Because of this, I have become engrossed with reading the chapters detailing the progression of development in Puckett. Also, building attachments, specifically with a primary caregiver is crucial in influencing the infants optimal development of relationships, gaining coping skills, ability to trust and formation of hisher personalitytemperament. As infants learn to trust, they begin to develop social recognition-associating behaviors to responses of individuals.

Typical and Atypical Development-    Children s development of certain skills and abilities usually follows a predictable course-developmental milestone, such as crawling, grasping, walking, etc. However, not all children reach each milestone at the same time, or in the expected time-frame for reaching these developmental markers. An eye for details is needed in order to distinguish between skills that are slow in development and those that are different in quality, form and function. In line with this, our atypical assignment was very enlightening. I realized that as educators, we must make it our goal to advocate for the proper diagnoses and treatment of these developmental delays.

Family, Culture and Community-    Parentscaregivers (i.e. family of origin) are a child s most important. Development and learning are rooted in culture and are supported by the family wherein language, knowledge, traditions and family expectations are the primary influences in development. Therefore, having a respectful and reciprocal relationship between family and community is imperative for the well being of a child. Having my FrenchHaitian background accepted and honored by other people, this has contributed in my positive development as an individual. As a result,  I never really felt like an outsider or  that I did not belong.

Studies, Assessments and Observations -The rate of development and learning varies for every child. Children with differing abilities and talents who may or at risk for developmental delays may require special attention and adaptations in order to support their unique needs. Therefore, continuous studies, observations and assessments are needed in order to promote developmentally appropriate practices and to provide learning opportunities, activities and environments. These studies, assessments and observations range from formal to informal and are objective (free of biases), reliable (accurate, consistent and non-contradictory) and replicable (the same results will be obtained by different evaluators-credible). Moreover, I find the field assignment to be every enlightening because I had the chance to observe and witness first hand interesting child development cases.

Current social issues-    Incorporating a political point of view was also very intriguing and challenging. I enjoyed the video on multiculturalism in ECE Preschool in Three Cultures. This aided me in seeing the cultural differences between the Japanese, Chinese and Americans from twenty years ago and the present which have reinforced the differences in ideology of childhood education of varying cultures and different time lines.

Conclusion- I started this class filled with enthusiasm and an intense desire to be an effective early childhood educator (K). Now that I have completed this course, I believe that I have gained enough knowledge and skills that would help me in generating my own style of teaching. Aside from this, I intended to be a fervent advocate in creating awareness regarding the wellness of a child.