Glossary

adjusting schemes to fit new information

12 - 18 years

a term used to describe the periods of childhood development

incorporating new information into existing schemes

independence; self-regulation

primarily concerned with behaviors that are observable and measurable; emphasizes changes in behavior that result from stimulus-response associations made by the learner

refer to investigations in which a single child or small group of children are studied. Case studies are far more in-depth and detailed than longitudinal studies, include the related contextual conditions in which development is observed, and draw upon data from multiple sources.

describes a relationship among two or more variables in which one occurs as the direct result of another. One thing causes another.

growth from the head down

the dimension of time; the transitions and shifts in one's lifespan

involves learning a new behavior via the process of association; classical conditioning involves associating an unassociated signal (such as a particular sound) with a naturally occurring response or involuntary behavior (such as salivation or blinking)

thinking; process of acquiring knowledge

the stage in which children are capable of operational thought and begin to be capable of thinking logically

refers to the concept that even if surface attributes of an object changes (such as shape), its mass, volume, and number stay the same. If you flatten a ball of playdough into a pancake, the amount of playdough has not changed—only the shape.

a learning theory based on the belief that people construct their own knowledge or understandings as the result of experiences and reflection

refers to the idea that development occurs as the result of a continual maturation process

describes the relationship among two or more variables that appear to be related to one another, but one does not cause the other

refer to studies in which comparisons are made in the abilities and behaviors of two or more groups of children, each group being of a different age

loss of hope

the study of how and why humans change throughout the lifespan

refers to a framework designed to promote young children’s optimal learning and development. To make decisions that reflect best practices, educators take into consideration what they know about:
child development and learning
each child as an individual
each child’s social and cultural context

refers to the idea that development occurs in distinct stages, each stage being fundamentally different from the preceding or following stages

a term referring to the primary areas of development in which change occurs:
Physical/Biological
Cognitive
Social
Emotional

professionals who support a woman before, during and after labor

3 - 5 years

states that human development is influenced by the different types of environmental systems

refers to the state in which children are not able to take the perspective of others

indirect influences

small muscle activities

a mindset in which people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits

stage in which adolescents and adults are able to reason logically and systematically, and develop more complex concepts through the addition of knowledge

a sense of productivity and accomplishment

the study of the origins and development of knowledge

the process or period of developing inside the womb from conception to birth

large muscle activities

a mindset in which people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work

one word implies a whole sentence

a theory of development which examines the “whole person” and uniqueness of individuals

those characteristics which define each individual

a period of confusion in which a person’s identity is insecure

hard word; application of skill

birth - 16 months

the sense that something is not as good as something else

the power to act with intention and self-regulation toward a desired outcome.

the state of being whole and complete

close familiarity or friendship

when the uterus returns to pre-pregnancy size

the state of being separate and alone, without relation to others

refer to studies in which a large group of children is studied over time in order to look at specific changes that occur

the culture of an individual

the relationships between the microsystems in one's life

the setting in which we have direct social interactions with people and social agents

5 - 12 years

self-perception or self-theory

refers to the debate within developmental psychology concerned with examining whether certain characteristics and aspects of behavior are primarily the result of biological programming (nature) or whether they are learned and the product of experience (nurture)

the removal of an unfavorable outcome used to increase behavior (ex. a child doing something in order to stop being nagged or yelled at)

brain cells

the concept that objects continue to exist when they are out of sight

also involves learning a new behavior via the process of association, but in this case involves voluntary behavior which is either encouraged via the use of positive reinforcers, or discouraged via the use of negative reinforcers or punishers.

refers to the logical manipulation of information

synthetic hormones used to stimulate contractions and speed up labor

a favorable outcome used to encourage (increase) a specific behavior (ex. a child doing something to get praise or a sticker)

conception – birth

the stage in which children become capable of representational thought (ex. drawing, pretending, language) but cannot yet understand adult logic or mentally manipulate information

growth starts at the center of the body and moves to the extremities

describes growth and change throughout life, focusing on social interaction and conflicts that arise during different stages of development

an unfavorable consequence used to discourage (decrease) a specific behavior

the ability to effectively cope with and overcome adversity

the reaction that occurs as a result of a specific stimulus

exposure to an adverse situation, which may be unwelcome, unpleasant, or even detrimental

mixed ideas and feelings about the specific ways in which one will fit into society

structuring learning encounters in order to support and foster a child's emerging capabilities

the stage in which a child is concerned with gaining motor control and learning about physical objects; all interactions are either sensory (ex. seeing, hearing) or motor (ex. grasping, pulling)

a learning theory based on the idea that people learn by observing and interacting with others

a learning theory which examines the relationship between the social world and cognitive development, specifically focused on the significance of culture and the role of language

sleep walking

a sense of dissatisfaction due to a perceived of lack of productivity; a sense of being still rather than moving forward

an event which brings about a specific reaction or result

when an infant stops breathing and dies without apparent cause

refers to the view that children are born with no biological predispositions; it then becomes the responsibility of parents, educators and society to write upon the minds of children by providing them with experiences.

two word toddler speech

behavioral style and characteristic emotional response

anything that causes a birth defect

16 months - 3 years

an object like a teddy bear that helps a child to be independent, especially at bedtime

as defined by Erikson, is an essential belief in the reliability of others, as well as a fundamental sense of one's own trustworthiness

connects the baby to the placenta

referring to the difference between a child's existing abilities and what he or she can learn under the guidance of an adult or a more capable peer