Active learning ideas
Infancy and childhood are periods of rapid and foundational change. This topic covers the major milestones from birth through the primary school years, focusing on motor skills, language acquisition, and cognitive growth. Students explore Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, learning how children move from simple sensory experiences to complex logical thinking. The role of attachment, as described by Bowlby and others, is also highlighted as a crucial factor in socio-emotional well-being.
Activity 01
Students work in pairs to simulate Piaget's famous experiments (like pouring water into different shaped glasses). One student acts as the 'child' following specific cognitive rules of a stage, while the other 'tests' them to see if they understand conservation.
What are the major developmental milestones in infancy?
Activity 02
Posters around the room show different ages (e.g., 6 months, 2 years, 7 years). Students move in groups to list one physical, one cognitive, and one social milestone for each age based on their research or observations.
How does cognitive development progress during childhood?
Activity 03
After learning about secure and insecure attachment, students discuss with a partner how a 'securely attached' child might react when a parent leaves the room versus an 'insecurely attached' child, then share their reasoning.
What role does attachment play in early socio-emotional development?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Children are just 'miniature adults' who think like we do.
Piaget showed that children's thinking is qualitatively different from adults. Simulating conservation tasks helps students realise that children literally perceive and process the world through different logical frameworks.
A child's personality is entirely determined by their parents.
While parenting is important, a child's own temperament (biological) and their environment also play huge roles. Discussion of 'temperament' helps students see the child as an active participant in their own development.
Methods used in this brief
Meaning and Principles of Development
Defines human development and outlines its core principles. It covers the life-span perspective and the factors influencing development.
8 methodologies
The Challenges of Adolescence
Focuses on the physical, psychological, and social changes during adolescence. It addresses identity formation and common challenges faced by teenagers.
8 methodologies
Adulthood and Aging
Explores the developmental tasks of early, middle, and late adulthood. It discusses the physical and psychological aspects of aging.
8 methodologies