Early Childhood Development
Ashford University
Jennifer Jeffries
ECE 332 Child Development
Instructor: Robert Gallo
Issue Date: November 30, 2010
Due Date: December 6, 2010
Abstract
Toddler hood is a huge time of change for a child. The child is moving from being an infant to the next stage – toddler. Being a toddler is usually considered when a child is between “13 – 24 months of age” (13 – 18 months – young toddler, 19 – 24 months – older toddler.) (Berk, 291) Toddlers need space, materials and guidance to help in their development which mainly and essentially done through play. They need an environment that stimulates all the senses and welcomes activities that further their development in all areas.
Stages of Development for Toddler
During toddler hood there are a vast amount of changes in the following developmental areas: cognitive; small and large motor skills; social; emotional; moral; physical and language. It is one of the roles of the early childhood teacher to set up the environment to foster development in all these areas. The environment should have a variety of materials that leads the child to explore and discover through play.
Cognitive
Brain Development
During toddlerhood the brain’s synapses still continue to connect to form neurons. “Formation of synapses is rapid during the first two years, especially in the auditory, visual, and language areas of the cerebral cortex.” (Berk, 169) The neurons that are formed will only sustain if they’re used. It is the use it or lose it mentality. Hence, children need stimulation to continue their synapse connections. “Neurons that are seldom stimulated soon lose their synapses. In all, about 40% of synapses are pruned during childhood and adolescence.” (Berk, 169)
Teacher Directed Activities
Teacher directed problem solving activities should be taking place in the classroom. Examples of such activities are as follows: Weighing objects to find out which object weighs more or less. In this activity
Jennifer Jeffries
ECE 332 Child Development
Instructor: Robert Gallo
Issue Date: November 30, 2010
Due Date: December 6, 2010
Abstract
Toddler hood is a huge time of change for a child. The child is moving from being an infant to the next stage – toddler. Being a toddler is usually considered when a child is between “13 – 24 months of age” (13 – 18 months – young toddler, 19 – 24 months – older toddler.) (Berk, 291) Toddlers need space, materials and guidance to help in their development which mainly and essentially done through play. They need an environment that stimulates all the senses and welcomes activities that further their development in all areas.
Stages of Development for Toddler
During toddler hood there are a vast amount of changes in the following developmental areas: cognitive; small and large motor skills; social; emotional; moral; physical and language. It is one of the roles of the early childhood teacher to set up the environment to foster development in all these areas. The environment should have a variety of materials that leads the child to explore and discover through play.
Cognitive
Brain Development
During toddlerhood the brain’s synapses still continue to connect to form neurons. “Formation of synapses is rapid during the first two years, especially in the auditory, visual, and language areas of the cerebral cortex.” (Berk, 169) The neurons that are formed will only sustain if they’re used. It is the use it or lose it mentality. Hence, children need stimulation to continue their synapse connections. “Neurons that are seldom stimulated soon lose their synapses. In all, about 40% of synapses are pruned during childhood and adolescence.” (Berk, 169)
Teacher Directed Activities
Teacher directed problem solving activities should be taking place in the classroom. Examples of such activities are as follows: Weighing objects to find out which object weighs more or less. In this activity
References: Berk, L. (2008). Infants and Children -Prenatal through Middle Childhood (6th edition). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Building Relationships: Parallels Between Infant-Toddler Development and the Public Policy Process, Zero to Three. Retrieved November, 28, 2010 from http://www.zerotothree.org Toddler Development and Developmental Milestones, The New Parent Guide. Retrieve November 30, 2010 from http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/baby-development-month-19to21.htm