Why is Child Development Essential for Teachers?

When teachers understand how children develop, they can differentiate the child from their behavior to prevent them from internalizing negative messages. Observing how children grow and what they need at different stages of development will also help teachers to have a broader view of education. Human development is one of the main factors that influence human behavior. As children go through their different stages of life, they approach learning in different ways. Having a comprehensive understanding of human development allows educators to make assessments of children's behaviors in the classroom.

This can be used to comprehend children who display normal developmental “bad behavior” and, for a small number of children, can take a step back and reflect on their behaviors, indicating that they may be at a different stage of development in their lives than their peers (often because of their past experiences). It is essential for a teacher to study child development for several reasons. First, it provides a much-needed context for understanding how students normally progress. It also helps teachers to assist parents in educational decisions. Understanding child development also helps teachers assess the source of a student's struggles.

Knowledge of the sequence of knowledge or skill development in any given area helps providers set attainable and appropriate learning goals for children. It also helps providers plan activities and experiences that challenge children enough to progress without frustrating them with a challenge that is too far from their capabilities. At age 8, with an increase in Theory of Mind (ToM), a child may think that their peers see them negatively if they do not follow social norms. It also emphasizes the importance of encouraging early childhood educators to truly know their students and each of their specific interests. At all levels and environments, educators can help children to observe and, over time, reflect on the phenomena of the world around them, acquire vocabulary and develop their conceptual understanding of subject content across disciplines.

Based on their knowledge of what is meaningful and attractive to each child, educators design the learning environment and its activities to promote knowledge of the subject area in all content areas, as well as in all domains of development. The use of digital media can facilitate reflection through documentation and formative evaluation by children, educators and families. Curricula and teaching methods are based on each child's assets by connecting their experiences in school or learning environment with their home and community environment. The use of media can also give isolated children (for example, children with health problems that prevent them from participating in group settings or those with less developed social skills) the opportunity to engage effectively with their peers. The main challenge facing middle school teachers is trying to balance each child's changing personalities within the context of the classroom (a challenge that all teachers face to some extent). Teachers who reinforce respect for children's decisions in such harmless areas of life will help students achieve age-appropriate development.

We have to understand that children are also individuals and therefore have unique ways of coping with everything. In Phoenix, the Arizona Academy of Sciences emphasizes students' individual needs and learning styles, so they can provide a stronger academic program based on how the child learns. This is because they simply can't understand why their approach to teaching children doesn't work. To achieve the best results in early childhood education, Alvarado strongly recommends including students' natural curiosities in curricula. Children in need of additional support receive extended, enriched and intensive learning experiences, always based on the child's current interests, strengths and cultural forms of knowledge. Development and learning are dynamic processes that reflect the complex interaction between a child's biological characteristics and the environment, each of which shapes the other, as well as future growth patterns. In addition to its BAECE, National also offers a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education that teaches students how to evaluate early childhood education practices and policies and examine their impact on children, family, schools and the community.