| It is a time of intuitive growth and personal | | | | Theorists have been theorizing for more than a |
| empowerment. Everything from business to | | | | millennium, and nobody's theory is ever going to |
| spirituality is getting a makeover. Along with them | | | | be perfect. The one that gets chosen holds one |
| are the changing themes in child development | | | | of two values: |
| theories. | | | | -It works |
| The Past.... | | | | Or |
| It was once believed that you could give birth to | | | | -Nothing else has worked so far |
| a baby, and one day (eventually), they would | | | | We have come from the 'Seen Not Heard' era, |
| learn how to walk, talk, and eat all on their own. | | | | and leapt into a time of redirection and transition. |
| They believe that in time (usually around age 5-6), | | | | Children of the last generation have been riddled |
| and child will naturally learn the alphabet and do | | | | with Learning Disabilities and Authoritative |
| some counting. If a child did not reach the level of | | | | difficulties. They lack the attention span or |
| maturity by school age, they were held out of | | | | capability to mature and adapt or survive in this |
| school until they could reach the requirements. | | | | world. Most of them see no potential in their |
| These kids were labeled "Not as smart as the | | | | personal future. |
| Rest". | | | | It is obvious that Human Beings are different |
| That is the Maturationist Theory. | | | | from any other species. It's mostly credited to |
| Another Theory is that children's ability to develop | | | | our ability to think, reason and have emotions. It |
| is dependent on their Environment. The better the | | | | has been revealed in today's world that we are |
| food house and family, the better the child is able | | | | also very different because unlike cattle and |
| to learn and grow. The more Love from mom | | | | steer, we need love, guidance, structure and |
| and dad, the smarter and more capable a child | | | | sometimes a little extra help, to learn and grow |
| was suppose to be. It is still believed that a child | | | | properly. |
| should know their alphabet and numbers, the only | | | | The Future... |
| thought that has changed is to what creates the | | | | In 2008, there are many young parents, who |
| knowledge in the child. If a child has not reached | | | | were thrown into the world of children by shear |
| the right level of intelligence by school age, the | | | | lack of being unprepared, and they are seeking to |
| child is labeled and/or held back. | | | | find new ways to improve their own children's |
| This theory belongs to the Environmentalists. | | | | lives and future. Many of the last generation have |
| Out of rationalization is born the Constructivist | | | | lived most of their young lives believing that they |
| Theory. holding the notion that a childs ability to | | | | were stupid. They were labeled with learning |
| develop depends on both Environment and | | | | disorders and disabilities and shipped down the hall |
| Genetics, but that it cannot be completely | | | | so that they would not disrupt the learning and |
| controlled by either. Thriving Constructivist | | | | growth of the rest of the population. |
| Environments don't label or hold back a child who | | | | Although they may not have sailed the smooth |
| is not at the same level as his or her peers. | | | | sea's that the rest did, they are now realizing that |
| Instead, they suggest they get more Individual | | | | they are not stupid. They also realize the loses |
| Attention to help customize learning to the Childs | | | | they went through do to lack of stimulation or |
| Needs. | | | | guidance during their younger years. Because of all |
| Right Now... | | | | these recent changes, the Theme in Child |
| Most schools systems are dominated by | | | | Development is heading towards the notion that |
| Constructivist, though they do not widely | | | | we have to teach our children what they want to |
| recognize it. | | | | know, and some of it will come naturally. |