Module
Profile | Overview | Full
Concept Map
| Module 1: The developing person |
Section 1
Developmental
perspectives
|
Introduction
Nature vs Nurture | Continuous
vs Discontinuous | Global vs Culture Specific
| Active vs Passive | Individual
Difference Readings
| Activity | Other Resources
Introduction
Welcome to section one of the module. Section
one attempts to explore some of the key issues related to child development.
These are:
Developmental
perspectives 
Nature vs nurture
-
Continuous vs
discontinuous -
Global vs culture
specific -
Active vs passive
-
Individual difference
-
Each of these issues may be applied to various
facets of development that will be discussed in section two of the module.
Note the content is an abbreviated summary
of the major issues. If the content seems unfamiliar to you, I strongly
recommend that you consult a relevant child development text (for
example).
Nature vs Nurture
The nature-nurture controversy (also known
as heredity vs environment or maturation vs experience) refers to a stand
point that individuals take regarding the dominant cause in development.
Those that believe nature plays the key role believe that inborn genetic
traits are most significant, while those who focus on the nurture aspect
believe that the physical and social world play a key role in an individuals
overall development both before and after birth.
Consider the role of nature and nurture
in the following areas:
-
height & weight
-
ability to solve problems
-
colour of skin
-
presence of freckles
-
ability to play the guitar
-
sociability
-
mental illness
-
sensitivity to the needs of others
Take a minute to list your views on the
aforementioned topics.
Consider how you would approach your daily
teaching if you believed that genes play the major role in a child's development.
Now adopt the opposing view - the notion that the environment plays the
most significant role. Which approach most closely aligns with your current
approach to teahcing & learning?
Many of the theories give credence to the
role of both genes and the environment in a child's overall development
- it is the emphasis in each theory that varies. 
Continuous vs Discontinuous
Consider your own development. Was your growth
gradual like that of a seedling into a plant or was it rapid change like
that of a silkworm into a moth? This leads us to the question of children's
overall development and the notion of continuous versus discontinuous growth.
A continuous notion of development supposes
that development is a smooth and gradual process, therefore a discontinuous
notion adopts the opposing perspective. Continuous development consists
of building on current levels of skill/performance at a steady rate. A
discontinuous theory proposes that new skills and approaches to thinking
develop within specific time frames in an individuals overall development
- the child will pass through a specific series of steps to ultimately
reach the highest level of functioning in a specific area. Stage theories
are generally those that adopt a discontinuous perspective.
Which approach to development would explain
the inconsistencies you may see in the individual children in your care?
At times we see rapid changes in physical growth and cognitive understanding,
how would you explain this?
Global vs Culture Specific
Is development the same across all cultures?
Do children follow the same patterns of physical, cognitive, moral, social
and emotional development throughout the world? Consider the children with
whom you work. Are there similarities across aspects of their development?
Would these similarities appear in children in an African tribal community?
Take the time to address this question as you consider the various aspects
of development presented in this module.
Active vs Passive
Are children active or passive in the process
of learning & development? To use the analogy of jug and water - is
it your role to fill the childrens minds with knowledge as an individual
may fill a jug with water? Or should the students be making meaning from
expereince? Is the process of learning & development more important
than the product?
Suppose that you are a primary teacher
who believes that each child plays an important role his/her development,
has an active rather than a passive role in his/her own development. How
would this effect your teahcing and handling of children?
Individual Difference
A final variable to consider is the notion
of individual difference. As teachers you would note on a daily basis the
differences between the children with whom you work. Jack can walk the
balance beam by himself, while Scott (who is the same age) experiences
difficulty walking in a straight line. Zoe, who is in year one, is able
to identify all of her initial sounds and blends while Georgia in the same
class experiences difficulty identifying her initial sounds.
A variety of developmental theories highlight
the notion of individuality & difference, while others discount this
notion.
While addressing each of the aspects of
development, take the time to consider where the theorists lie in terms
of the notion of difference.
Readings
The following set readings explore further
some of the issues discussed above and also delve into some of the more
specific issues related to the developmental controversies. You will find
the majority of these articles address interesting topic areas and are
easy to read. Remember, although the topics may not directly apply to specific
aspects of your teaching role, some of the issues may indirectly be applied
across teaching contexts. Enjoy!
Reading 1
Elkind, D. (1997). The
death of child nature: education in the post-modern world. Phi Delta
Kappan, November, pp. 241-245.
Reading 2
Wright, K. (1997). Babies,
Bonds and Brains. Discover Magazine, pp. 75-78.
Reading 3
Herbert, W. (1997). Politics
of biology. US News & World Report. April, pp. 72-80.
Reading 4
Newberger, J. (1997). New Brian Development
Research - A Wonderful Opportunity to Build Public Support for Early Childhood
Education! Young Children. May, pp. 4-9.
Reading 5
Gorman, D. (1997). A
boy without a penis. Time, March 24, p. 83.
Reading 6
Segal, J. (1989). 10 myths about child
development. Parents, July, pp. 81-84.
| Stop and think
Post a response on the forum |
Choose two of the set readings for weeks
1. Analyse the readings in terms of the developmental perspectives. What
standpoint do the theorists take in terms of each of the perspectives?
You may wish to consider posting your views on the forum and discussing
these views with your peers. |
Other resources
The web links below are included purely
for interests sake. Feel free to explore or ignore as you wish!