A solid understanding of milestones and developmental pathways across each domain of children’s development can benefit teachers as well as parents in several ways.
Knowledge of how children within a given age span typically develop and learn provides a general framework to guide teachers in preparing the learning environment, considering curriculum, designing learning experiences, teaching and interacting with children.
Also important for parents to know the sequences in which children gain specific concepts, skills, and abilities, building on prior development and learning familiarity, for the better understanding of their wards learning abilities.
Knowledge of child development and learning provides the best foundation for planning for children.
Knowledge of individual child, and knowledge of family, community, and culture from which the child comes helps to understand the individual needs.
Knowing what is typical at a certain age is the best place to start when experiences and environments are planned for children. Plans based on typical child development and learning meet the needs of the majority of children, then make changes to accommodate individual children who may be ahead or behind.
Knowledge of child development and learning helps to plan next steps for supporting children’s progress.
Knowledge of the sequence of knowledge or skill development in any given area helps schools to set achievable, appropriate learning goals for children. It also helps to plan activities and experiences that challenge children just enough to progress without frustrating them with a challenge that is too far beyond their abilities.
We continually expand our own knowledge of child development and learning, and apply that knowledge when we plan and make decisions in their program, can feel confident about their practice. We also have a solid foundation when we explain our decisions and practices to parents and colleagues; a foundation that goes beyond personal opinion or feelings.
How do Social and Emotional Development Affect Learning?!
There is no doubt that social emotional learning teaches character. Social-emotional competencies empower kids to grow self-aware and confident, to manage difficult emotions and impulses, and to embody empathy, which translates to not only improved behavior but also test scores.
- Character matters
- Character can be taught
- Character improves academic, social, and professional achievement
By providing a kind environment, it helps to encourage optimal brain development as well as social connection and collaboration. In other words, it affects learning by shaping children’s developing neural circuitry, particularly the executive functions.
As children feel safe and learn how to inhibit disruptive emotional impulses, they exhibit greater self-confidence, better behavior and enhanced memory. They enjoy the learning process and thus, readily engage and fully immerse themselves in gaining new information and skills.