Intelligence

Intelligence by Kamoy Wilkie

Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. Every child is intelligent to some

degree, there are many ways to classify intelligence and singular is not one of them.Intelligence is considered

to be a compilation of different abilities.Childhood intelligence is one of the most complex yet intriguing

phenomenons today. Understanding intelligence and how it relates to children can greatly affect and enhance

the role of an educator.

Some theorist believe that intelligence is a singular factor(a general factor or g) which influences
the learning of children throughout a variety of tasks. Some believe that an IQ (Intelligence Quotient)
score measures the academic abilities or individuals,while others disagree because it usually measures
one area and neglects others.

Intelligence can be seen consistently in day to day behaviors of children, but there is a misconception
intelligence is predetermined at birth, The chart below shows just how  common some things are if only
we knew what we were looking at.

Multiple Intelligences

The notion focuses around the idea that children possess at least eight different capabilities or multiple
intelligences. Every individual is different the all vary in their strengths and their weaknesses. The following
are the eight types of intelligences  and examples as proposed by Howard Gardner.

He believed that people should not be put in a box or limited with the capabilities that they posses.
Everyone is different and should not be categorized under the same umbrella where intelligence is
concerned. According to him people can be skilled in one area and somewhat average in other
areas of intelligence.It is extremely important that all abilities be encouraged and dominant abilities
be fostered to reach their highest potential.This method encourages educator to produce well rounded
lessons that will appeal to all intelligences, by achieving this students with vast ranges of intelligence
will be benefited at some point throughout the lesson.

Sternberg’s Theory of Successful Intelligence

Robert Sternberg coined the triarchic theory which describes three distinct types of intelligence that
a person can have. These consist of practical intelligence,analytical intelligence and creative intelligence.

Practical intelligence-how one reacts to their environment and how they are able to adapt or change it so it
will be conducive to their needs. This in society would be compared to street smarts or common sense, it
the ability to deal with everyday tasks.

Creative intelligence - the way one approaches tasks or information that is new to them

Analytical intelligence- is the ability to analyze, critique and evaluates situations

The following video expalins more in detail:

Sternberg believed that one encounter encourages the next along environmental factors. Children learn
how to combine these intelligences in daily undertakings and ultimately recognize their strengths and use
it to their advantage.

Within the listed triarchic factors exist three coexisting  components which are environment as a factor
of behavior,prior experiences and situations and the effect is has on current ones, and the  cognitive process
required by the task. Utilization for the use of these aspects are determined by the current situation that an
individual may be faced with.

The topic of intelligence is quite vast and has many different views. Childhood development as a contributing
factor draws from the idea that all children are different and have likewise abilities and strengths. There are
just as vast the amount of influences that determine and build upon these intelligences. Given above is two

of the major contenders and what they consist of.

McDevitt, T.M, Ormrod, J.E (2015)Child Development and Education, Pearson.

Language Development

Suzanne Stricker

The development of language can be quite challenging.  Young children must acquire four components in order to be successful.  The first is phonology which is the knowledge of how words sound.  The second is semantics which the meaning of many words.  The third is syntax which is the various rules for how words are formed.  The last component is the pragmatics of language which is how to use language to effectively communicate socially.

There are many different theories of language development.  Some describe it as the result of children imitating speech.  Other theorists suggested that praise and rewards are effective while children are learning to speak.  There are also theories that show that biology may explain language development.  Another theory is that learning language skills emerge from various activities.

Language begins as early as 3-4 months as infants begin sorting objects.  They understand words as early as 8 months of age.  Comprehension will most of the time come before production.  Experts differentiate language skills between receptive and expressive.  Receptive language is the child’s ability to understand words.  Expressive language is the child’s ability to effectively communicate.

There are many ways to help children develop language.  It is important to know that children learn language based on their own personalities and experiences.  There many also be environmental influences that affect language development.  Parents should also consider that children with disabilities may have limited language proficiency.

There are many resources for parents that may help with any concerns they may have with the language development of their child.

www.speechandlanguagekids.com

www.asha.org American Speech and Language Hearing Association

www.parentcenterhub.org

References:

McDevitt, Teresa M. Child Development and Education, United States 2016

Physical Development in Children

by Lisa Wood

 

What is physical development?

Physical development focuses on increasing the skill and performance of the body. The peak of physical development happens in childhood and is therefore a crucial time for neurological brain development and body coordination to encourage specific activities such as grasping, writing, crawling, and walking. Physical development can be divided into gross motor skills and fine motor skills.

Gross Motor Control

Gross motor control involves balance and stability with such movement as kicking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping, throwing, catching and galloping. Moving the large muscles in the body, specifically the arms and legs consciously and deliberately, increases gross motor skills.

Fine Motor Control

Achieving fine motor control involves using and coordinating the small muscles in the hand and wrists with mastery. During the development process, children can self-help and manipulate small objects such as scissors and writing tools. Fine motor skills generally follow gross motor development.

 

Stages of Physical Development in Children 

• Infant

During the first few weeks and months of an infant's life, her movements are reflexive or involuntary in nature. Some reflex actions exhibited by the newborn infant include the startle reflex, which is elicited by sudden loud sounds or position changes, and the grasp reflex, in which an infant instinctively grasps objects put in her hands or feet. Between the ages of 1 month and 1 year, a child should be able to hold her head up on her own, sit without support, creep or crawl, walk, grasp objects on her own and pick up small objects with her thumb and forefinger.

•  Toddler

A toddler is between the ages of 1 and 3 years old. At this time, a child's physical development should include being able to walk without help, jump in place, go up a staircase, hold a cup of water, scribble with a crayon and copy a circle. During this period, a child should also be able to ride a tricycle and build a tower of blocks.

•  Preschooler

The preschool years occur between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. The preschooler attains physical skills at this point that should include standing on one foot for ten seconds or more, hopping or skipping, swinging and climbing, throwing and catching a ball, using a fork and spoon and drawing a person with a body. At this stage, your preschooler may be able to take care of his toileting needs, according to the National Network for Child Care.

• School-Aged Child

A child between the ages of 6 and 12 years is considered a school-aged child. The movements of the school-aged child are more graceful and coordinated. School-aged children have good hand-eye coordination and can engage in activities like cutting and pasting, swimming, soccer, basketball, hiking and playing video games.

Parental Involvement 

Play is the most beneficial activity for promoting early childhood physical development. The most significant factor children need from play with parents is to have fun while doing it. The most efficient way to play with your child is to provide interesting and exciting environments like pretend play at home as well as frequent visits to playgrounds, children’s gyms, and/or other community facilities designed just for children. 

• Have a block building contest.

• Walk with the kids and provide them with the opportunity to run and jump and use their large muscles.

• Prepare a simple obstacle course for your child to jump over and run around in your backyard or in the house. 

•  Play catch with balls. You can also play games that will help the child learn to kick and throw the ball.

• Have a mini dance party at home. Put on some music and dance with your child

• Play pretend games like laying a tightrope on the ground and trying to balance on it.

• Get creative with art. Provide your child ample opportunities to draw in and around the house.

• Get some child-safe scissors and teach your kid some craft work.

• Get toys that can boost physical development in your child like a tricycle, basketball hoop or hula hoops.

• Have a water pool in the backyard and encourage your child to splash or paddle under supervision.

• Get your child to help with simple fun chores like bathing the dog or washing the car.

• Ensure that your child has adequate sleep to enable overall development.
• Take the child for a routine check-up to catch any issues early.    

More Reading on Physical Development

•  Early Childhood Physical Development: Gross And Fine Motor Development 
•  Fine Motor Skills
•  Physical Development in Children and Adolescents 
•  Physical Developmental Milestones

 Video 

Supporting Physical Development in Infants and Toddlers

 

 References

• https://www.livestrong.com/article/96678-define-physical-development/
• https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/physical-development-in-early-childhood/
• https://www.livestrong.com/article/109222-physical-development-children-ages-years/?ajax=1&is=1
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_1Dbg2555A

Family, Culture and Community

Jennifer Camilo

What is Child Development?

Child development refers to the sequence of physical, language, thought and emotional changes that occur in a child from birth to the beginning of adulthood. During this process a child progresses from dependency on their parents/guardians to increasing independence. Child development is strongly influenced by genetic factors (genes passed on from their parents) and events during prenatal life. It is also influenced by environmental facts and the child’s learning capacity.

Family, Culture, and Community

A happy and healthy childhood depends on a loving relationship with their family,

 regular exposure to the tradition of culture, and participation in a responsive community.

How parents raise their children has profound effects on children’s adjustment. By virtue 

of their personalities and activities, children influence parents and other family members in return. Parents and other family members should be active participants in their child’s life, parents and other family members should present affection as well as discipline when they interact with the child. They also encourage children to participate in everyday routines and become involved in their education.

 A culture is defined values, traditions, and symbol systems of a long-standing social 

group. In the bioecological model, culture gives meaning to the activities, accomplishments, and policies of the society in which the child lives. In this manner, culture helps children experience events as predictable and worthwhile. Culture also adds an intellectual dimension by exposing children to mental tools, instruction in school, advanced discoveries, and creative works of their society. 

A child’s community includes the local neighborhood and surrounding areas, which

 together create a bond from their family to the outside world. Particularly when children are young, they make friends in their neighborhood, at the local school, on a hometown sports team, or as part of a nearby club or center. As they grow older, youngsters continue to spend spare time in activities that are reasonably close by as they venture farther from home.

Family, Culture, and community together create foundations for child development. 

These contexts teach children who they are as human beings, how they should relate to others, and what they can inspire to be as adult.

Biological Beginnings

Biological beginnings is divided into 3 groups: Genetic Foundations, Prenatal

 Development, and Birth of the Baby.

Genetic Foundations: every child has a unique profile of hereditary instructions that support his or her life, growth, human traits and individuality. 

Genetic foundations is formed by: the structure of genes which tells the body to create 

one or more proteins or to regulate the operations of other genes. Operation of genes which is that most genes are identical or at least very similar cross all children, formation of reproductive cells, such as Meiosis, gender, and how twins are created. Genetic basis of individual traits, the awakening of genes, the blending of heredity and environment, and acknowledging natures and nurture in children’s lives. All children have a set of genetic instructions that influence their characteristics at birth and their merging physical and psychological features.

Prenatal Development: the period of growth between conception and birth, a simple 

single cell is transformed step by step into a complex human being. Prenatal development 

includes phases of prenatal growth, medical care, and supporting parents, protecting babies. At conception, the new offspring inherits a unique genetic makeup that guides the lifelong process of growing, changing, and interacting with the environment.

Birth of the Baby: childbirth is a complex series of events. The steps that culminate in 

birth are affected by the health of the mother and baby; the relationships the mother has with family members, friends, midwives, medical personnel, and her partner, should she have one; her preferences for managing the physical strain of labor and delivery; and her cultural traditions and beliefs. Birth of the baby includes the birth process, medical interventions, and enhancing parent’s sensitivity to newborn infants. The birth of a baby is an exciting and sometime nerve-racking event for parents, who can reduce their stress by preparing for childbirth.

References:

https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/what-is-child-development/

McDevitt, T.M, Ormrod, J.E (2015)Child Development and Education, Pearson.

Cognitive Development

Rachel Schueg

Cognitive development, another pertinent aspect of child development, is essentially how the brain learns to think, to deduct, to perform skills, etc. There are several theories which give reasoning to how a child’s cognitive skills develop. The first theory which will be mentioned here is from French psychologist Jean Piaget, who breaks down his theory into four stages.

The first stage is the sensorimotor stage, which, according to Piaget, lasts from birth to age 2. During this time, children gather information about the world around them through their senses and interactions with objects. The second stage is the preoperational stage, which lasts from age 2 through 7. Children learn to develop their memory and imagination. The concrete operational stage is from ages 7-11; during this time, children are attuning themselves to their own feelings and are beginning to understand that events are not, in fact, egocentric but outside of themselves. The last stage of Piaget’s theory is the formal operational stage from ages 11 and up, during which children are able to plan for the future as well as use logic to solve issues.

The Information Processing Model is another child cognitive development model, also broken into stages contingent upon ages. The first stage, from ages 2 through 5, is where children learn attention and memory skills. The second stage lasts from ages 5-7 and here is when children are able to solve problems, hone their memory skills and develop reasoning. 

Childhood and adolescence are both unique learning periods. Prior to cognitive theories like Piaget’s, it was believed children were just small versions of adults. After said theories, it was understood that children actually think entirely different than adults do. Meaning, there are differences in how they understand information. It is important to understand this in order to understand how, as educators, parents, caretakers, etc., one is able to teach a child effectively

https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/child-development/intellectual-and-cognitive-development-in-children-and-teens/