Advanced Child Development Name: ______

AGHS Due Date: ______

Theories of Development

Theory: a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world. “Theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses.”

Several child development theorists have had a profound impact in teaching and parenting approaches used with children. Sometimes they develop their own theory and sometimes they do further research on another theory and come up with their own theory. In order to understand these theories, your group will be researching a theorist and their theory.

Some Examples of Theorists include, but are not limited to:

Jean Piaget, Jerome Bruner, Erik Erickson, Maria Montessori, Lev Vgotsky, Abraham Maslow and Lawrence Kohlberg, Urie Bronfenbrenner, Arnold L. Gesell, Reggio Emilia, B.F. Skinner, Albert Bandura, Benjamin Bloom, John Dewey, Paulo Freire, Howard Gardner.

You havechosen: ______

You will research the theorist you chose. You will have several days of class time to collect data and then a couple of days to collate your information in the required format. You will be presenting your information 2 different ways which will be described below.

As you gather information for a written report and presentation be sure to include the following required information.

Step 1 Research your theorist

-Find out about them:

Name
Country of origin
Brief biography
Profession and/or academic credentials

-What is their theory: Simply state their theory

Step 2 Research their theory

Does their theory have a specific name?
What type of theory is it? (constructivist, behaviorist or cognitive theory)
The number of stages or levels (if any) of the theory
Types of development defined by the theory (social, emotional, physical or social)
How was the research conducted?
Was this a new theory or was this a new approach to an existing theory?

Step 3 Present their theory

List stages, levels or list of beliefs of the theory.

Step 4 Create a written and visual presentation.

Using a written report format, create a research paper providing the required information in Step 1, 2, and 3. It must be typed using size 12 font, 1” margins and double-spacing. Place your name on the cover page along with the date, class name and the name of your theorist. Include either a bibliography or copies of your information that you highlighted for your project.

Create a visual powerpoint to present your information to the class. Your visual presentations will need to be visible to the entire class so make them bright, colorful and easily read. You will need to have a minimum of 5 slides. Your powerpoint should be a condesnsed version of your written report. Select interesting points and facts about the theory and theorist. Be sure to include the following items:

Name/Profession of the theorist

Name of theory – explaination

Type of theory

Type of development defined by theory

Stages/Levels of theory (if it applies)

Main belief of the theorist

Your presentation must be at least 8 minutes long.

We will begin presenting on ______