Chapter One - Part One - Knowing About Child Development

OK! Let's jump right in to Chapter One!

First, take a minute... and think of a person that is very special to you. Jot down three words or phrases that describe the way you feel when you are thinking about that person.

Now, think about your kids that you work with each day. What are you personally doing to help your students feel the same things you just wrote? This is the concept for this chapter... getting to know the children you teach. Why is this important? Knowing about children is the foundation for good teaching. First, the developmental and individual characteristics of your students will influence the learning experiences you plan. Second, knowing your students well builds positive relationships with them, which is often the key to their success in school.

So... since the first step is knowing your students developmentally... let me review the highlights of Child Development 101.
The authors spend a little time reviewing the theories of Erikson, Piaget, and Vygotsky. What is important to remember about primary grade children is:
**They are becoming product-oriented and want to do a good job!
**These kids are moving from "pre-operational thinking" to "concrete operational thinking", so concrete, hands-on experiences are what is going to lead to abstract thinking.
**Collaboration with others is what helps children acquire new skills and gradually become successful at using those skills independently.

I have included a few links for some developmental checklists for different age groups. Take a look at the link that corresponds with the grade you are teaching currently. Are you seeing some of these things in your classroom?

3-year-olds - http://www.nncc.org/Child.Dev/ages.stages.3y.html
4-year-olds - http://www.nncc.org/Child.Dev/ages.stages.4y.html
5-year-olds - http://www.nncc.org/Child.Dev/ages.stages.5y.html

First Grade - www.glendale.k12.wi.us/1_char.aspx

Second Grade - www.glendale.k12.wi.us/2_char.aspx

Third Grade - www.glendale.k12.wi.us/3_char.aspx

Fourth Grade - www.glendale.k12.wi.us/4_char.aspx

Fifth Grade - www.glendale.k12.wi.us/5_char.aspx

How do you assess your student's developmental needs? Please feel free to comment and share any checklists, assessments, or thoughts you have! And don't forget to pass our blog site to a teacher friend!
Whitney