ED 203 UNIT 1-2

• Life involves a constant unfolding of what is inherent in the person and aided by external forces and conditions
• Growth vs. Development:
• Growth pertains to an increase in the size of bodily or structural parts of the organism as a whole
• Development is the progressive series of changes towards maturity, implying qualitative change or a change in the kind of functioning
• Development refers to systematic changes and continuities in the individual from conception to death
• Factors influencing development:
• Maturation is the biological unfolding of genetically influenced physical changes and behavior patterns
• Learning is the acquisition of knowledge and skills through experience resulting in a relatively permanent change of behavior
• Development of thinking and personality involves both maturation and interaction with the environment
• Characteristics of learning:
• Purposeful: learning requires intentionality and goal setting
• Result of experience: knowledge is derived from personal experiences
• Multifaceted: learning involves cognitive, affective, and behavioral domains of the person
• An active process: learning requires active participation and interaction with the context
• Domains of development:
• Physical development: growth of the body and its organs, physiological systems, motor abilities, signs of aging
• Cognitive development: changes in perception, language, learning, memory, problem-solving
• Psychological development (Socio-emotional): changes in personal and interpersonal aspects, motives, emotions, personality traits
• Principles of development:
• Early foundations are critical for brain development and health throughout life
• Maturation and learning play important roles in development
• Development follows a definite and predictable pattern with orderly physical, motor, language, and intellectual development
• All individuals are different, with biological and genetic variations influencing behavior and responses
• Each phase of development has characteristic patterns of behavior, marked by periods of equilibrium and disequilibrium
• Each phase of development has associated risks and hazards, with different risks at different stages of life
• Development has hazards
• Each period in the life span has associated risks
• In childhood, accidents are rampant and illnesses such as asthma or dengue fever are likely
• Advancing age can trigger certain illnesses due to lifestyle and predisposing factors
• Development is aided by stimulation
• Development occurs as a product of maturation and environmental experiences
• Providing a stimulating environment can encourage the learner to maximize the use of an ability
• Development is affected by cultural changes
• No single portrait of development is accurate for all cultures, social classes, or racial and ethnic groups
• Each culture, subculture, and social class transmits a particular pattern of beliefs, values, customs, and skills to its younger generations
• The content of cultural socialization has a strong influence on the attributes and competencies that individuals display
• Development is based upon historical and cultural environment
• There are social expectations for every stage of development
• There are developmental tasks or guidelines that enable individuals to know what society expects of them at given ages
• Development is continuous throughout the entire lifespan