Raising children is more than just a familial journey. Child development is backed by research and nuanced fields of study. Many famous psychologists and neurologists have helped pave the way for modern figures regarding raising children from infancy to adulthood. While the expanse of theoretical information is vast, the four theories of child development discussed in this article cover the entirety of the maturing process for every child.
What Is Child Development?
In short, child development is the process by which a child obtains skills and knowledge until they reach adulthood. This journey correlates to several theories, which the American Psychological Association (APA) associates with the “continuity of human development” and the principles that follow.
What Are the Major Theories of Child Development?
The four stages of child development are theorized through different time periods of behavioral advancement. Study.com breaks down the stages as infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.
Based on the analysis conducted by Olivia Saracho in the Early Childhood Education Journal on the following theories respectively, the process of child development has been broken down into these select stages for reference, study, and application by correlating figureheads in the field. The foundations for these theories deal with prominent aspects of child development, and include the following:
Maturationist
In this theory, a person’s genetic predisposition shapes their development process, serving as the foundation for moving through the subsequent stages. Emphasis is also placed on children formulating their perspectives and opinions of the world naturally, which is encouraged by placing them in the appropriate environments for growth. Maturation is a widespread concept, and due to its demand of frequent monitoring of children across varying stages, maturation is taken into practice by education entities and other professionals that work with children.
American psychologist G. Stanley Hall was a frontrunner for this ideology, along with many other modern theories relating to child development. His methods of study continue to play to the strengths of educators, whose classrooms he observed to formulate his research.
Constructivist
This theory establishes that the knowledge base that children and young adults create for their individual perspectives is crafted through exposure to physical and social settings. Assimilation and accommodation are the two focal points that aid this idea, where children learn to differentiate prior knowledge of a subject and then incorporate it into their fundamental ideas. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget established several stages of cognitive development that moved from birth through young adulthood, all in relation to the schema surrounding components of exposure.
Behaviorist
While a wide range of theorists have shaped the framework for this idea, perhaps the most famous is Russian neurologist Ivan Pavlov, the founder of the behaviorist concept. This theory notes that children and young adults respond to reinforcement and repetition while developing learned behaviors. Positive responses to task completion can set a precedent for future responses and encourage repeated instances, which can turn into habit building through this specialized form of conditioning., the founder of the behaviorist concept. This theory notes that children and young adults respond to reinforcement and repetition while developing learned behaviors. Positive responses to task completion can set a precedent for future responses and encourage repeated instances, which can turn into habit building through this specialized form of conditioning.
Psychoanalytic
Some experts claim that instinct plays a role in child development, and Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud and American neurologist Erik Erikson spearheaded this field of study; Erikson expanded on Freud’s psychosexual theory to include granular concepts that encompass a comprehensive childhood time frame. They note that experiences had during the developmental stages can manifest in adult behaviors in both positive and negative fashions. spearheaded this field of study; Erikson expanded on Freud’s psychosexual theory to include granular concepts that encompass a comprehensive childhood time frame. They note that experiences had during the developmental stages can manifest in adult behaviors in both positive and negative fashions.
Additional Theories From Ecological and Beyond
This list of four behavior theories is not comprehensive. Additional research, such as the Urie Bronfenbrenner theory of ecology, discusses the impact a child’s environment can have on behavior and development, whether intentional or circumstantial. While this is an imperative portion of child development study, ecologists focus on external factors as a primary influence and can be objectively easier to manage through constant improvements and enhancements.
Why Is It Important to Understand Child Development Theories?
It is important for future educators, caretakers, and leaders in associated fields to understand child development theories and that take steps to recognize behavioral elements of child development at every stage so they can respond in effective and productive manners to encourage positive growth. These behaviors constitute physical manifestations of progress as well as emotional ones and occur from the earliest points of infancy.
According to a study in child development from the National Library of Medicine, signs of advancement include basic functions like reflexes and reactions, as well as the progression of language and cognitive skills into adolescence. Knowing these ‘milestones’ can ensure preparedness and knowing what to expect is crucial to the correct application of knowledge and training.
Applying Child Development Theories
These theories are applicable in every setting a child encounters, with the most notable manifesting through parental, educational, and clinical relationships. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) discusses methods for raising healthy children by implementing practices like showing warmth and compassion, applying appropriate disciplinary measures, and setting routines, among others.
Taking actionable steps through a guise of advanced understanding is a natural part of both teaching and caretaking for children and may require some scaffolding. Some concrete methods include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) practices, such as play therapy or talk therapy, to stimulate successful progression or help bring a child into the correct developmental stage.
Applying Child Development Theories Through Education and Career
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an undergraduate degree in early child development from a university may be able to provide the foundation to work with children in many capacities. This degree usually involves completing coursework that might follow a traditional education track, with specific areas of study that specialize in select areas.
The aforementioned theories can also be applied in several professional settings as well. Careers that can result from an education degree in childcare development often fall into care roles and education sectors. Specifically, some potential careers to consider with a degree can include family resource coordinators, youth service specialists, teacher aides, educational assistants and childcare workers, all of which require various qualifications.
The BLS handbook states that child care occupations may require licensure or credentials from accredited organizations in order to perform the necessary scope of duties for the desired role. States or employers may require that the Child Development Associate credential be obtained from the Council for Professional Recognition, which involves both field experience and consistent renewal in order to remain active.
In order to pursue a path in one of the aforementioned career tracks (specifically childcare workers in this case) candidates should possess the following qualities, according to O*Net Online:
- Monitoring: Maintaining a supervision of actions and performances and taking action where necessary.
- Social perceptiveness: Keeping an awareness of surroundings and understanding any reactions that may occur.
- Critical thinking: Utilizing facts to find the benefits and downsides of acute problem solving
- Service orientation: Finding new methods of providing assistance.
- Complex problem solving: Identifying conflicts and using relevant information to seek solutions
- Judgment and decision making: Weigh the outcomes of select choices made and follow the more constructive option.
Overview: What We Can Learn from Child Development Theories
The foresight of learning about the skills gained at the various stages of child development ensures that parents working to raise children, as well as professionals that aid their progress, can understand the next steps and garner the tools to prepare accordingly. By exploring more in-depth pedagogies surrounding developmental theory, interested parties can cultivate a deeper understanding of childhood advancement and its components, to experience success at every point.
Education programs at the University of Arizona Global Campus are not designed to meet the state educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification in any state.