EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE

Early Learning and Childcare

Early Learning and Childcare

1a. Sequence and Rate of Development

Age Groups

Aspect of Development

Physical

Cognitive

Language

Emotional

Social

0 - 6 months

Grow extremely fast.

Trust their parents for everything.

Can only listen and understand.

Fearful.

Only likes being around mother.

6 - 12 months

Starts kicking.

Short attention spans.

Starts using language.

Unpredictable.

Try to copy others.

1 - 2 years

Starts walking and jumping.

Begins to have imagination.

Name recognition.

Stubborn.

Play simple games.

2 - 5 years

Runs easily. Start feeding themselves.

Longer attention spans.

Understand simple concepts and words.

Fearful and emotional.

Growing need for friends.

5 - 7 years

High levels of energy.

Imaginative.

Desires meaningful answers to everything.

Wants everyone to treat them as adults.

Becomes competitive.

7 - 12 years

Girls usually surpasses boys in physical development

Tends to apply logic to situations.

Starts understanding cause and effects of language used.

Extremely sensitive.

Needs guidance of parents in every aspect.

12 - 16 years

Early maturing physically.

Starts thinking critically.

Usually focus on abusive and informal language.

Developing personal philosophies regarding various aspects of life.

Depicts resistance towards restrictions.

16 - 19 years

Complete physical development. Open for sexual interactions.

Various experiences help in enhancing thinking capabilities. Diverse outlook about life.

Well developed language and communication skills.

Usually in a phase to concentrate on career development.

Extensive social commitments.

1b. Theories of Development

The first theorist Maria Montessori had great interest in the development of children. She promoted the idea of learning based on periods of development. Theories of Maria affect the current practices in a way so to make sure that all the needs of children are catered by providing them such an environment which helps them grow in the most efficient manner. The second theorist Jean Piaget described the development of children in a cognitive manner. This theory helps on improving the processes children identify and understand thus resulting in their effective development (Kathleen, Deborah, 2011, Pp. 325-350). The last theorist that I believe to be important is Lev Vygotsky. His emphasis on the social interaction capabilities of children made the current practices better in a sense that the educators now play an important role in making children develop their cognitive abilities.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) basically deals with setting the standard requirements for early years of development. EYFS affects the current practices in a positive manner. It helps as a guideline for ensuring the most effective development of children by making them unique, enabling their environments, recognizing positive relationships through their learning and development. EYFS help parents in order to make sure what kind of professional training their children needs and what they are actually getting (www.education.gov.uk).

1c. Monitoring Children Development

There are various different methods to check on children's development so see if they are progressing normally in all areas. Methods may include observing the child's milestones and filling in the questionnaires related to child's health, through regular checkups with health professionals, using some screening tests and many more. Assessment frameworks like EYFS, Performance Indicators Value Added Target Setting and Common Assessment Frameworks are also useful in monitoring the children's development. Various standards provided by these assessment frameworks can be followed in order to determine the levels of children ...