2.4 Chapter Conclusion
Angela Blums, Ph.D.
Summary
Theories give us insight into how children develop. There are seven major theories of child development, and each one is useful in understanding children’s needs at a given age. It is important that teachers have a deep knowledge of children in order to create learning experiences that support development. High-quality early childhood programs must be informed by theory. There are a variety of approaches and philosophies in early childhood program models, and each has its own unique benefits. One thing that all program models have in common is the connection to theory that supports children’s optimal development.
Review Questions
- How can constructivism be used to plan activities for young children?
- What are the limitations of using behaviorism in an early childhood classroom?
- Why is it important to consider cultural context when engaging with children?
- How can Bronfenbrenner’s work be used in a preschool setting? Is it equally important for older children? Why or why not?
- If you had to choose the best features of the program approaches presented in this chapter to create your dream classroom, which features would you choose? Why did you choose these features?