Lifespan Development
Two important lifespan development stages: Infancy and Toddlerhood stage and the Middle Childhood stage.
Professional counselors in the mental health field are in an important position in the development and survival of our society, in that they not only experience their own personal growth and contribution in life, but also are responsible for assisting others in their ability to develop as successful members of humanity (Vernon, 2010). A vital tool in their work towards this endeavor is the understanding of the lifespan perspective, which is supported by knowledge of the stages of development that individuals encounter as they progress through their lives. These stages include Infancy and Toddlerhood, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Adolescence, …show more content…
Although this stage was considered inferior in developmental importance compared to other, more drastic stages, recently research has shown the value in the progressions that are experienced during this stage (Eccles, 1999). This stage cover ages six to eleven as they expand on the complexity of their emotional comprehension, socialization, and cognitive development (Vernon, 2010). This stage provides a sense of stability that is later lost in the Adolescence stage, which helps to nurture the growth and change that they experience, as well as provides a foundation from which the developments in adolescence expound. A key principle of this stage is socialization and the development of a more complex individual identity (Education Encyclopedia, n.d.). Also, awareness of place in society and a sense of belonging develop as individuals in Middle Childhood begin to put a greater emphasis on peer groups and the acceptance or rejection that they experience through peer interactions (Graves, 2006). Through these experiences, individuals develop a sense of either industry or inferiority and inadequacy, in relation to the positive or negative ways that they navigate this stage, which can have a profound effect on later adulthood (Eccles, 1999). Children in this stage are beginning school, which dramatically changes their environment and social interactions from family and the home to peers and external authorities (Vernon, 2010). These changes provide opportunities for children to build healthy peer relationships, comprehend cultural values, and begin to develop roles within their social system that will influence the way that they interact with society throughout the rest of their lifespan. These relationships play a part in the integration of a child with society, both internally through their development of a more complex understanding of
Professional counselors in the mental health field are in an important position in the development and survival of our society, in that they not only experience their own personal growth and contribution in life, but also are responsible for assisting others in their ability to develop as successful members of humanity (Vernon, 2010). A vital tool in their work towards this endeavor is the understanding of the lifespan perspective, which is supported by knowledge of the stages of development that individuals encounter as they progress through their lives. These stages include Infancy and Toddlerhood, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Adolescence, …show more content…
Although this stage was considered inferior in developmental importance compared to other, more drastic stages, recently research has shown the value in the progressions that are experienced during this stage (Eccles, 1999). This stage cover ages six to eleven as they expand on the complexity of their emotional comprehension, socialization, and cognitive development (Vernon, 2010). This stage provides a sense of stability that is later lost in the Adolescence stage, which helps to nurture the growth and change that they experience, as well as provides a foundation from which the developments in adolescence expound. A key principle of this stage is socialization and the development of a more complex individual identity (Education Encyclopedia, n.d.). Also, awareness of place in society and a sense of belonging develop as individuals in Middle Childhood begin to put a greater emphasis on peer groups and the acceptance or rejection that they experience through peer interactions (Graves, 2006). Through these experiences, individuals develop a sense of either industry or inferiority and inadequacy, in relation to the positive or negative ways that they navigate this stage, which can have a profound effect on later adulthood (Eccles, 1999). Children in this stage are beginning school, which dramatically changes their environment and social interactions from family and the home to peers and external authorities (Vernon, 2010). These changes provide opportunities for children to build healthy peer relationships, comprehend cultural values, and begin to develop roles within their social system that will influence the way that they interact with society throughout the rest of their lifespan. These relationships play a part in the integration of a child with society, both internally through their development of a more complex understanding of