Degree Program

During this course you will be given the opportunity to connect concepts you have learned throughout your degree program to how they apply to your current or future work with children. In this first week we will start with the many theories of development you have studied thus far in your degree program. As Berk (2013) states, “Because of the complex network of factors contributing to human change and the challenge of isolating the effects of each, many theoretical viewpoints have gathered research support. Although debate continues, this circumstance has also sparked more balanced visions of child development” (pg. 9). You are aiming for this balanced view of child development at this point in your career.

For this discussion you will complete the Theoretical Comparison’s Table. After completing this table you will post your table along with a discussion about which theorists will have or have had the most influence in your work with children and why. As you complete the final course in your degree program, provide specific examples of how the following theories have and will influence your work with children (e.g. hands-on learning, parental involvement, etc.). Be sure you attach the Theoretical Comparison’s Table along with your discussion post.

Theorist/Theory	Likes/Strengths	Research to Support Strengths	Dislikes/Limitations	Research to Support Limitations
Theorist A	One of the highlights of Theorist A is that there is a focus on cooperative learning. I firmly believe that children need to learn through interacting with their peers. It is through these interactions that I believe learning takes place. As a result, I will encourage social interactions when I am working with children.	According to Smith (2010), “Children must have the opportunity to engage in social relationships in order to develop their self-esteem and self-worth” (p. 35).	One of the things that I do not align with when it comes to Theorist A is that this theory does not explain or account for any differences in how children behave. I struggle with this because as I work to help children discover who they are, I need more structured guidelines to help me determine how to help them.	“More consideration needs to be given to the role that genetics may play when it comes to determining why children have differences in behavior”, (Apple, 2009, p. 257)
Piaget
Vygotsky
Bronfenbrenner
Bandura
Skinner
Kohlberg
Erikson
Information Processing
Other (that you see as key but that wasn’t mentioned)