Its All about You Week 8

Lifespan development actually did make me use the word why a lot. I've learned about the different stages and life span as well as the theories that attempt to explain the ways. Some theories I can put into practice and some theories I still don't quite understand. (P300) I've learned about theories that apply to the physical cognitive and social and some theories I have drawn to light and others not so much.
Now I agree that theories are just facts with meanings.

Piaget views on cognitive development have shaped children in the preschool years. He feels that children learn best by doing and experiencing things on their own instead of it being given explanations by an adult. (P62 theories of childhood) This is on of the theories I can agree with. Children are able to understand more when they play.  When we use the word learning we should remember it only discovering new ideas.

These developments for lifespan have started a lot of controversy especially when it comes to the expectations for teachers to cover specific curriculum concept and to meet the state standards. (303 life smart) so many teachers now are teaching just what the test will cover. They're not remembering to engage children in activities that are interesting and fun. It's important that we incorporate things that are children based in our curriculum as well as covering the material needed to meet those expectations. This can be very challenging indeed. Absolutely loved Diane Ravitch quote when she stated that academic performance is not for teaching but poverty.  So many of our babies come to school hungry, unclean, and tired. Many of them do not know where their next meal make come from and they do not have the proper supplies needed in order to have the best education.

I believe that we need to put more funding into our education system and into the health care of our children especially if we want to see the physical and cognitive and social aspects develop as they age. Being an educator is not an easy professional however it is a rewarding profession. As I look back over the lives that I've touched over the past few years,  I'm amazed at how God has entrusted me to empower and build the Next Generation. We are definitely building leaders one child at a time.  I wouldn't have it any other way.