4th Blog

Chapter 6 discusses early childhood between the ages of 2-6.  The features of physical development such as children slimming down for both boys and girls.  These are ages in which they grow an average of 12 inches and gain about 5lbs a year.  p.130  When my first son began to walk, I started to mark his height on the wall. He is now 15 years old and we continue to mark his growth. I noticed that during his early years, he did have good growth spurt and I believe around 12 years old there wasn’t much development. I did this to all my boys and they are always checking the wall to see if they grew.  The growing is not only physical but also brain development. The brain lateralization gets better established. Growing motor skills are also part of the various physical achievements. Before working in a school environment, I did not realize how important motor skills could be.  I worked with a student who was in 3rd and was unable to cut paper with scissors.  I remember teaching my sons how to utilize scissors by having them cut coupons. At first it was difficult for my youngest to cut paper. Then, I figured out that he needed left handed scissors. It took him a while to learn how to cut straight, but with practice he became better.  Another way I helped with motor skills was I let them play with Playdoh. Playdoh is one of the many ways to help improve development.  From the ages of 2 to 6, each year the growth and fine motor skills improved.  Biopsychosocial influences such as nutrients, disease, psychological and socioeconomics play a role in the body’s growth.  

Furthermore, cognitive development is also part of growing. The preoperational period which is the second stage of Piaget’s cognitive development theory and Vygotsky’s theory of social construction help better understand cognitive growing.  Early childhood education programs such as head start and early intervention are ways to help in school readiness. The constructivist approach learning is based on the developmental theory instead of behavioral.  These are based on an approach impacted by both Piaget and Vygotsky.

Chapter 7 describes middle childhood, how children can assimilate and accommodate various information at this developmental level.  Middle childhood is considered from the ages of 5-12 years old. By the age of 8 and 9 years old, these children’ brain is considered full size. They are capable of processing thoughts.  My youngest child is 9 years old and I’ve noticed that he is able to problem solve and use his imagination to create his own ideas. For example, when he is playing a football game with his brothers, he is able to argue and state what he feels would be the best play.  Another thing that I’ve noticed is that he is able to stand up for himself and realize when he makes mistakes. At this stage children are able to use logical thoughts and are able to reason accordingly with events, objects, and people.

Piaget’s concrete operational stage is the third of the fourth stages of his cognitive development theory.  This stage is considered from the ages of 7-11 years old.  “Piaget's notion of decentration is the child's ability to concentrate on more than one aspect of a problem or to connect them.” p. 161  This can be related to what I had previously mentioned about my youngest son being able to understand and analyze a play.  He understand what it takes to win a football game and call out shots.

3 Blog

Chapters 3, 4 and 5 of the lifespan deal with the human voyage from the beginnings and throughout the prenatal process, the birthing and finally on to infantry.

 

Chapter 3 details the various prenatal development periods and the influences that can affect these stages. These influences are mostly biological from chromosomes, DNA and Genes.  From the natural fertilization process and on to assisted reproduction technologies. There are 40 weeks of milestones in the prenatal development of the fetus. Throughout the milestones there are important influences both biological and environmental that have to be emphasized such as nutrition, exercise, culture, and emotions for the well-being of the embryo. Negligence to any of these critical interactions can lead to developmental risk.  I have a niece and a nephew both from the same parents. They were both born with cleft lips. My niece’s cleft lip was not as severe as my nephew’s. My nephew’s lip and gums were not fully or properly developed. Cleft lips do not run in our family nor in her family.  She spent many years wondering why both of her children were born with cleft’s lip if it’s not heredity. The only theory she could come up with was her job environment.  She worked in the casino for many years and was there throughout her pregnancies. Back then, smoking was allowed in the casino area.  I believe the environment she worked in had an impact on her children’s’ abnormalities.  She inhaled all the cigarette smoke for more than 8 hours a day. In chapter 3, “smoking is probably the most common environmental threat to pregnancy.” P.73 Also, tobacco affects the reproduction process such as: fertility, conception, pregnancy, fetal development, labor, and delivery P.73.  My sister-in-law continues to work at the casino because it no longer allows people to smoke inside.

Chapter 4 details the birthing process and the many challenges and interventions.  The various labor stages and sequences to different delivery methods. I remember when I first found out that I was pregnant. I was in my mid 20’s. I was very excited yet very nervous. Looking back, I regret not getting an epidural. The reason why I decided not to get the epidural because my mother influenced me to deliver naturally. Naturally meant without any drugs. When I asked her why did she recommend not taking the epidural, her response was “it would affect the baby.” After hearing that, it frightened me because of course, you don’t want anything to happen to your baby.  Til this day,  I don't understand why a mother would allow her daughter to experience that type of pain. I think cultural played a big role why my mother talked me into delivery naturally.  Cultural diversity has a strong say in the various birthing methods.  Some of these include natural childbirth and cesarean section.  However, it’s not always easy. Thankfully, I delivered 3 beautiful boys without having a c-section.  As with any medical procedure, there are always challenges and complications that can arise with any birthing methods. When the baby arrives, everyone life changes.  The impact it has one’s life and everyone around the baby is different. It depends on the expectations and family dynamics.

On the negative side, a woman can experience postpartum depression or postpartum blues. There is a difference between the two depression.  Chapter 4 states, “Postpartum ‘blues’ symptoms typically subside within 1 or 2 weeks” p.95.  “Postpartum depression symptoms continue for many weeks or months after delivery” p.95  Another negative is the percentage of single mothers that keeps growing.  According to chapter 4, this percentage has been increasing since 2002. P.96   The positive is that technology and intervention are easily accessible for those that are in needs. I experienced postpartum depression after having my first child.  It was a difficult time for me. Everything was changing in my life and I didn’t have a mother support. I was able to overcome these challenges with the help of my son’s father and therapy.

In chapter 5, deals with the physical development of the infants.  The mile stones on a baby shape come with the growing process.  Such as head control, creepy and crawling to fully standing and walking. P. 108. As an infant body develop, so does their cognitive development.  Part of this process is what Piaget called the 6 stage sensorimotor period.P 112. These stages are within the first 2 years of life. However, his theory has not gone undisputed.  As many believe that cognitive development is more gradual than abrupt. This is a period in which infant also experience language development.  This milestone occur during the age of 2 years old. The process is fast and goes until entering elementary. Social and emotional development are also part of the infant growing process. During this stage, they learn about the different roles of emotions. The development process of growing is an amazing gift that God has given us.  

2nd Blog post

This chapter was based on the various views and interpretations of theories on human development by various theorists. These theories have been widely used in the understanding and explaining of human growth and development.

Freud’s 5-stage Psychoanalytic theory has changed due to social and cultural influences which leads to the Erikson theory.  Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial theory has 8 stages and each stage experiences a crisis, which must be conquered in order to reach the next stage. These theories have received both criticism and praise. A few of the positives include: the focus on life’s early years and that throughout life changes occur. Some of the criticism includes: that the unconscious and or older memories aren’t influential to development and that the negativity on human development is overly emphasized.

The next theory is Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory, this theory is based on four stages, these four stages revolve around the assimilation and accommodation adaptation process. Piaget believed “that children function as ‘little scientists’ investigating their own hypotheses as they make sense of the world” p. 36.  Vygotsky had the sociolcultural theory to explain human development. This theory is based on children’s social processes, the interaction of children with adults and it  has three fundamental themes. Vygotsky was the leader in the role of culture on development, he placed great emphasis on the importance of sociability and growth. Cognitive theories also receive both criticism and praise. Some praise comes with the better understanding towards human development that this theory has provided, such as: viewing people as participants in the building of knowledge and meaning and as seeing a conscious effort in the understanding of developmental advances. Criticism includes the underestimation of the cognitive skills of younger kids.  

I agree with all these theories because they have all been contributors to human development. Vygotsky’s theory appears to be the more influential at this current time because he has a great emphasis on cultural and social contributions.  I believe in  Freud’s theory as he is one of the founding fathers of human development. However, even though his theory has been used as a stepping stone, the move current theories of Erikson, Piaget and Vygotsky includes social and cultural influence. This  seems to be more well rounded and inclusive of all developmental aspects.  

1st Blog post

 Lisa Fiore states (2011),  life span "refer to an examination of biological, cognitive/psychological, and social changes that occur over  the course of a human life." p. 5   As we get older our ways of thinking, dressing, values and priorities change.  Society influences in many ways. For example, Locke believes that children are born with a blank slate and that society is what makes us who we become.  I agree with Locke because I believe that we are born with an innocent mind. As we get older, we find that our reasoning changes. For example,  everything that is happening in our country with immigration has influenced many people to agree with deportation. I believe the reason why people are okay with it is because it's not affecting them or their family in any way.  Locke also believes that parents are important and influential to their children. He believes that by observing our own children one can use whatever learned to help lead them down the right path. p.9


In the video, the inside of the circle represents the inner self and it's what we allow our family and close friends to see. We only let those in our circle if they share the same value and beliefs.The outer circle represents what you show friends/people because we are concerned with our image. The mobiles shape appears to be those who are balanced. They seem to show a little of the inner circle and outer circle.