Domains of Childhood Development

Physical

This domain refers to the development of physical skills, known as 'motor skills.' Motor skills give children the ability to make purposeful movements and learn the physical characteristics of self and the environment. It is through physical development that children develop gross movements, fine controls, hand-eye coordination, balance, and kin aesthetic sense. This developmental domain is strongly affected by the child' individual opportunities to practice, observe, and be instructed on fine and gross motor skills. 

Social/Emotional

This domain refers to the development of a child's ability to play with others, understand the expression of emotions, form attachments, and handle peer pressure. It gives children the capacity to understand the feelings of themselves and others. A child's temperament plays a major role in their ability to develop socially and emotionally. Social interaction demands that children are able to cooperate, follow directions, have moral reasoning, and self-control. Social and emotional development gives children the capacity to understand the feelings of others and how to control and understand their own.

Cognitive

This domain refers to the child's creative and intellectual development. Intellectual development refers to the capability to process thoughts, hold adequate attention, remember events, understand the environment, and the capability to plan, predict, evaluate, and regulate any given task or situation experienced. Creative development refers to the outcome of intelligence acquired as well as events experienced and imagination applied constructively in academic and everyday knowledge. 

Language/Communication

This domain refers to several essential components of development. Language development and effective communication capabilities are highly dependent on other developmental domains. Communication capability includes a wide range of social behaviors and skills. Effective verbal ability is dependent on phonology, semantics, syntax, thought processing, and pragmatic abilities.

Understanding these developmental domains and how to educate our students to aid in their personal development within these domains is extremely important. 

Two More for the Roll

As a current student studying 'Early Childhood Education', one of my strongest beliefs is the fact that young children learn best through play. Think about it. Would you rather write a short story on your own, or use costumes and props to act out your own story within a group?

Children learn when they are actively engaged in an activity, therefore, over the next few years I will be collecting as many new ideas and suggestions for lesson plans that incorporates fun, interaction, and nothing but smiles across my students' faces.

I've added quite a few new blogs to my blog roll, all of which entertain the idea of 'play' being the key for teaching young children. Some of the blogs are more helpful for the classroom, whereas others are going to help me out at home with my own daughter (and future children!) Each of the blogs I've added are centralized around different themes: outdoors, science, arts and crafts, active play, pretend play, and parenting tips.

The first blog I'll be sharing with you struck my interest not only for the interesting activities, but the FREE downloads, worksheets, lesson plans, and so on. As a future teacher, I know that this site will come in very handy. I've checked out a few of the different links and posts, and I just enjoy the fact that it's full coverage for whatever the topic may be. Not only is the subject matter discussed, it is also put into terms for children to understand, as well as including multiple games, activities, worksheets, and so on. I strongly suggest you check it out and perhaps add it to your own blog roll if you're in the education field (or even if you have children of your own at home!)

Itsy Bitsy Learners





The second blog that I'll be sharing with all of you focuses greatly on the importance of play. There are so many great ideas for physical activities, nature focused activities, indoor activities, and ALL OF THEM include some form of play. I decided to read about the 'Picnic in the Dirt Patch' which is directed towards young children (Pre-K - first grade.) It's a very simple idea for a lesson; place a blanket on the ground, invite the students to a 'picnic', bring along different dishes (cupcake pans, boiling pots, juice containers, cups, coffee mugs, etc) and let the children explore their surroundings for 'ingredients'. This gives the children the chance to explore nature and enjoy hands on play with dirt, mud, leaves, straw, mud, water, rocks, etc. Once the children start experimenting with all of their 'picnic foods' the blogger suggests getting the group to talk about their findings, their creations, and so on. It's just a great idea, very simple, very inexpensive, and ends up teaching your children a lot! This is another blog that I hope you decide to check out, particularly if you're in the education field of young children!

Let the Children Play




ENJOY :-)

My Beliefs about Technology and Learning

Technology in today's society has a variety of positive and negative attributes. I believe that it is important for one to understand technology to a certain degree, and I also believe that it is important to at least stay updated with what is current. On the other hand, some people rely on technology way too often, and I worry that some day in the future, everything will be based on nothing BUT technology!

There are plenty of positves though, which I will list below.

Successes:
-Communication between relatives/friends/co-workers
-Capablility to be used for educational things...
*White Board
*Blogging
*Lap Tops
*College Websites (D2L, LiveText, etc.)
*Games for young children
*Apps for toddlers-children
-A great way to keep informed about the real world (Whether your interests be the news, famous red carpet gossip, the latest restaurants, the most trendy clothing, etc.)
-It's a great tool for young children lately. (My two year old daughter is capable of playing MANY games--educationa ones--through a few different websites!!)
-It makes shopping easier for people of all ages!


There aren't many negative dealing with technology, but the few that have come to mind will be listed below.

Downfalls:
-Difficult to understand for some people
-It is relied on VERY heavily, the fear of technology completely taking over
-Basic technology errors...
*Crash
*Viruses
*Loss of information
*Back-up unavailable
-Cost! Big bucks for the latest technology $$$



So, all in all, I believe that technology is very important and crucial in any field of study or career. Everyone should at least be introduced to the simple technological updates and be familiar with common sources of technology!