2. Purpose of the Session •To consider the significance of
understanding child development
in the context of teaching and
learning
•To become acquainted with
significant developmental
theories
•To understand a general overview
of developmental trends in
children ages 5 - 18
4. So who are the children we teach?
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/apps-and-preschoolers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul9c-4dX4Hk
http://www.ted.com/talks/thomas_suarez_a_12_year_old_app_developer
http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-profile-virginia-video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BMYTD-n26s
5. Cognitive Development
• Piaget
•Children develop in predictable
stages
•Thinking develops from
concrete to abstract
•Vygotsky
•Scaffolding
•Zone of Proximal
Development
•Self Regulation
6. Current Research on the Brain & Intelligence
• Howard Gardner
•Intelligence isn’t fixed
•Intelligence is expressed in
many ways
•Center for the Developing
Child, Harvard University
•Development of Neuro
pathways
•Brain Plasticity
•John Medina
•Strategies to promote optimal
brain development
7. Resources for Cognitive
Development
For more onVygotsky -
http://www.toolsofthemind.org/philosophy/vygotskian-
approach/
For an overview of Piaget’s theories -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxo8zkgd07E
For more on Howard Gardner & Multiple IntelligencesTheory -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2QtSbP4FRg
More on Multiple Intelligences -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wkFGXqJxas
Book on MI –Thomas Armstrong (2009), Multiple Intelligences
in the Classroom
8. For More on Brain Research & Learning
http://www.edutopia.org/brain-based-learning-key-largo-
school-video
For a list of excellent articles -
http://www.edutopia.org/article/brain-based-learning-
resource-roundup
Book on maximizing brain growth & development – John
Medina (2014), Brain Rules
Social Emotional Learning &The Brain -
http://www.edutopia.org/richard-davidson-sel-brain-video
12. For More on Social Emotional Learning
For information on SEL Classroom Management-
http://www.edutopia.org/stw-sel-classroom-management-
resources
Resources for developing a thriving social emotional classroom
community (elementary
grades)https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/ and (middle
grades) http://www.originsonline.org/developmental-designs
For a list of excellent articles on growth mindset-
http://www.edutopia.org/resilience-grit-resources
Growth Mindset Curriculum - http://www.stepitup2thrive.org
13. Physical Development
Age 5 – Age 10 – development of motor skills,
need approximately 10 hours sleep, difficulty
balancing high & low periods of energy, muscle
coordination is uneven and incomplete, eyes
reach maturity
Ages 10 – 14 – onset of puberty, rapid growth in
height & weight, uneven development among
peers, need 9 – 10 hours of sleep
Ages 14 – 18 – boys still reaching adult height,
shift in ratio of body fat to muscle mass
14. For More on Physical Development
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-
stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Physical-
Development-of-School-Age-Children.aspx
Article - A Fit Body Means a Fit Mind -
http://www.edutopia.org/exercise-fitness-brain-benefits-
learning
Article - Active Bodies Lead to Active Minds -
http://www.edutopia.org/teaching-physical-activity
Article – Teaching Kids About Healthy Eating & Avoiding
Obesity - http://www.edutopia.org/blog/tackle-obesity-
schools-students-healthcorps
15. DEFEND | CONNECT |
INFORM
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services and professional development resources that will
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