Human Development and Education Theory

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how behavioral psychologists and developmental theorists have traditionally categorized various periods of childhood and adolescence that correspond to very specific stages of cognitive and emotional development. It shows that while various experts differ widely in their characterization and analysis of the human developmental stages, modern educators recognize the importance of certain elements of behavioral and emotional development as equally important to early education as age-related cognitive stages of purely intellectual growth.

From the Paper:

"Traditional primary and secondary education programs are based on teaching methods and concepts designed in the nineteenth century and earlier. While the academic curricula expanded considerably during the course of the last hundred years of American education, many of the methods still relied upon by modern educators mirror the principles designed primarily just to teach elementary reading and writing skills, which was the main (if not the sole) focus of the early education even well into the twentieth century. Consequently, they are hardly suited to incorporate principles of students' social and emotional well-being, nor do they necessarily promote or inspire independent or creative thinking abilities beyond rote memorization."

More papers on Human Development and Education Theory:

• Term Paper # 103175 : "Assumptions of Human Development and Learning"
• Term Paper # 134209 : "Personal Development and Erickson"
• Term Paper # 92210 : "Human Development Theories"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: