The ways children learn and develop, and the issues that affect those aspects of childhood, continue to occupy researchers, parents and educators who are all looking for ways to bolster physical and mental health, as well as improve achievement in the classroom. Learning and development often go hand in hand in studying children, because a child's motor skill development, for example, will affect her performance in school. Similarly, where your child is in his emotional development can have a significant effect on what he's able to do academically.
Developmental Stages
Researchers often describe child development in terms of stages and milestones because most children display similar behaviors at roughly the same age. For example, during the toddler stage, by age 2, your child will likely start to push her boundaries by crawling and walking more and exploring as much as her developmental limits will allow. By age 4 or 5, a child's imagination is bursting, so parents and teachers can expect to hear some interesting stories. Social development at this early school-age stage sees children wanting to be like their friends and seeking parental approval. The adolescent stage brings on a whole new set of issues, though testing boundaries will again be a key part of your child's development through the teen years.
Learning Theories
A few theories are considered among the most important or comprehensive in explaining how kids get ready for school. The maturationist theory suggests that school readiness is a point at which healthy children can recite the alphabet and count, and otherwise appear ready for the more complex aspects of classroom learning. Maturationists believe that children acquire knowledge and skills naturally over time, and that a school-age child without adequate skills probably just needs more time to develop them. The environmentalist theory suggests that children learn by reacting to their environment and that their surroundings are what have the most influence. The constructivist theory argues that the way a child interacts, not just reacts, with his environment is the key to learning.
Considerations
Just as all children learn to walk and talk at their own pace, which may be different from the timetables described in books, your kids also master letters, numbers, reading, writing and other academic concepts on their own terms. And just when kids reach these various milestones can be affected by countless factors. A learning disability may delay the time when an otherwise seemingly bright child learns to read or write.
The Teacher's Role
Few would argue that a good teacher can elevate a student's academic performance, just as a poor teacher can have a negative influence on a child's school experience. While the perception of which teachers are good and bad may differ from family to family, what is clear is that hands-on and engaged teachers are vital to early learning achievements. A study that appeared in the September/October 2010 issue of "Child Development" found that among 4-year-old pre-kindergarten students, those who had significantly more teacher interaction during the day showed greater gains in learning and math skills than those who had more "free play" time during the school day.
Expert Insight
If you have concerns about a child's development or ability to learn, you shouldn't wait to seek assistance, according to the National Institutes of Health. If, for example, your child's physical development doesn't appear to be appropriate for his age, seek the advice of your pediatrician. If language or speech skills appear to be a problem, talk with your school or a healthcare provider about a speech and language evaluation.
