Child
Developmen
t Theories
By: Tessa Halada
Importance of Developmental Theories
• Cognitive
Teaches us how children think, learn and process their surroundings allowing
educators to develop appropriate support and curriculum
• Social
Teaches us how children develop their social, emotional and interpersonal skills
through interactions with peers, friends, family, educators and society as a whole
• Behavioral
Teaches us how children’s behaviors or actions develop in response to
environmental influences
Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory
Stage Dependent Theory
• Sensorimotor Stage- birth through 2 years
• Preoperational Stage- 2 through 7 years
• Concrete Operational Stage- 7 through 11 years
• Formal Operational Stage- 12 years and older
Implementing Piaget’s Theory in the
Classroom
• Developmentally appropriate practices
• Play
• Exploration
• Problem solving
• Experience based learning
Implementing Piaget’s Theory at Home
• Sensorimotor Stage- learn through their senses and exploring environment
• Preoperational Stage- imaginative play
• Concrete Operational Stage- logical thinking surrounding concrete events
• Formal Operational Stage- abstract thinking
Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory
• Trust vs. Mistrust- birth through 18 months
• Autonomy vs. Doubt- 18 months through 3 years
• Initiative vs. Guilt- 3 through 5 years
• Industry vs. Inferiority- 6 through 12 years
• Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)- 12 through 18 years
• Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)- 18 through 40 years
• Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)- 40 through 65 years
• Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood)- 65+ years
Implementing Erikson’s Theory in the
Classroom
• Consistent routines
• Positive teacher student interactions
• Encouragement of independent choices and self care
• Support exploration and experimentation
Implementing Erikson’s Theory at Home
• Trust vs. Mistrust
• Autonomy vs. Doubt
• Initiative vs. Guilt
• Industry vs. Inferiority
B.F. Skinners Behavioral Theory
Human traits are acquired through experiences within the environment. Adults can
purposefully shape desired learning and behavior through positive reinforcement
(Trawick-Smith, 2023)
• Operant Conditioning- focuses on responding consistently to children’s behaviors
• Positive reinforcement
• Negative reinforcement
• Punishment
Implementing Skinner’s Theory in the
Classroom
• Positive Reinforcement
• Negative Reinforcement
• Punishment
Implementing Skinner’s Theory at Home
• Positive Reinforcement
• Negative Reinforcement
• Punishment
Bowlby’s Attachment Theory
Highlights the importance of children’s attachment and relationships with adults as
the foundation for socio-emotional development (Link, 2023)
Responsive care giving leads to secure attachment which can be present between children and multiple
caregivers
Attachment Types
• Secure
• Avoidant
• Anxious
Implementing Bowlby’s Attachment
Theory in the Classroom
• Teacher education and implementation of specific support strategies
• Individualized instruction
• Appropriate responses
• Predictable routines
Implementing Bowlby’s Attachment
Theory at Home
• Routines
• Active listening
• Validating their feelings
• Physical affection
• Responsive caregiving
References
Arrington, E. G. (2021). Cognitive Development (education). Salem Press Encyclopedia
Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of attachment: A psychological
study of the strange situation. Hillsdale, N.J.: Erlbaum.
Bishop, C. & Keth, K. (2013). Psychosocial Stages of Development. 10.1002/9781118339893.wbeccp441.
Follari, L. (2019). Foundations and best practices in early childhood education (4th ed.). Pearson
Education.
Link, S. (2023). Socio-Emotional Development. Salem Press Encyclopedia
Trawick-Smith, J. (2023). Early childhood development: A multicultural perspective (8th ed.). Pearson.
ISBN-13: 9780137545001
