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Physical and Cognitive
Development
Preview
Examining the shape of children’s development allows us to understand it better. Every childhood is distinct, and is the first chapter in a new biography. This chapter is about children’s physical and cognitive development. These are some of the questions we will explore:
• Do children develop in distinct stages, or is their development smoother and more continuous?
• How do children develop physically, and how does this affect their behaviour and learning?
• What is the best way to characterize students’ cognitive development? How might knowledge of students’ cognitive development influence the way you teach?
• How does language develop? What is the best way to teach students to communicate verbally?
PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Exploring How
Children Develop
Language
Development
Developmental
Why Studying
Issues
Children’s Development
Processes,
Is Important
Periods, and Stages
Physical
Development and Health
Growth in Childhood
Pubertal Changes
Child Health and Education
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What Is
Language?
Biological and
Environmental
Influences
Cognitive
Development
Piaget’s Theory
Vygotsky’s Theory
Case’s Neo-Piagetian Theory
How
Language
Develops
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N o bubble is so iridescent or floats longer than that blown by the successful teacher.
Sir William Osler
Canadian Physician, 20th Century
Teaching Stories: Debra Bankay
Debra Bankay is an elementary-school teacher who,
wanted students to use their research skills to learn
prior to her certification in Ontario, taught at a private
about the Fathers of Confederation. I also wanted
school based in the Froebel philosophy. Friedrich
to incorporate play-based activities that would help
Froebel, best known as the founder of kindergarten,
them develop a deeper understanding of these
believed that play is critical for healthy child develop-
early Canadians.
ment.