APA- 1 page
- Read Chapters 7-9 in Child Growth and Development, Paris, Ricardo, & Rymond
- Read Mercer text: Part III
- Watch Films Media Group. (1996). Growing minds: Cognitive development in early childhood [video, 25 min] (ESC login required): Filmed in 1996, this program examines the work of Lev Vygotsky and Jean Piaget, illuminating the similarities of and differences between their contributions to a greater understanding of the cognitive development of young children. (Growing Minds DescTrans.docx.)
In our reading and the Growing Minds video, we learned that Piaget and Vygotsky had opposing views on development and learning. Piaget suggested that development must precede learning while Vygotsky argued that learning must precede development. Piaget assumed that cognitive processes function in similar ways across cultures and that the nature and development of thinking have universal qualities. Vygotsky’s theoretical ideas stand in sharp contrast to these claims. He believed that the context of culture is important in cognitive development.
- What does it mean to say that both Piaget and Vygotsky were “constructivists”?
- Do you agree that the development of thinking has universal qualities? Back up your opinion with examples from your own experience.
- Think about what abilities are valued by the cultural group that you grew up with. Are they the same as the ones in another cultural context? Discuss how cultural context influence one’s cognitive development.
- Provide an example of how each of these theories could be applied in a classroom
Assignment 2
In standard research essay format write a 3 page paper describing, comparing and contrasting TWO of the developmental theories which you read about in the module.
Please do not compare Vygotsky’s social learning model with Piaget’s cognitive-developmental model. We will make this comparison in the discussion.
Choose your two theories from one of the following options:
- Contrast and compare two classical theories of development (psychoanalytic theory, psychosocial theory, traditional learning theory, social learning theory, Piaget’s theory, and Vygotsky’s theory).
- Contrast and compare Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model to the evolutionary perspective.
- Contrast and compare one classical theory mentioned above to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model.
- Contrast and compare one classical theory mentioned above to the evolutionary perspective.
Note: For all written assignments, please be sure to apply the assigned module readings, cite as needed throughout the writing as you apply the readings, and provide a reference page at the end — all in APA style. Always apply additional scholarly resources (at least two) (e.g., current journal articles; scholarly websites).
These websites provide meaningful overviews:
- Paris et al. text pgs 21-37 and Part 2: Theories of Development content and videos
- 7 Major Theories of Child Development (2017).
- ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families. (2015).
- Child Development Theorists: Freud to Erikson to Spock…and Beyond [Film on Demand, Video; 21:58]