Child Readiness

Learning is generally defined as relatively permanent changes in observable behavior that result from experience (Seifert & Hoffnung, 2000). In order to understand theories that are presented by scientist we would have to first understand what a theory is. According to http://www.dictionary.com/ a theory is a proposal for how unobservable processes fit together. How they influence one another and also how these unobservable processes affect what we can see which is behavior.

There are four theories that scientist have linked to the development of a child. Biological –maturational, behaviorist, cognitive developmental and sociocultural. My understanding of biological – maturational theory is that it is a theory that is based on the developmental changes that are independently, biologically determined. In this theory maturity will include height and weight of someone. Muscle coordination that allows us to sit, stand, run, and walk. Examples of changes that are due to experience are due to formal and informal learning.

My understanding of the behaviorist theory is that it a theory that explains how learning experiences influence development. Two scientists have come up with their own theories. According to Pavlov he feels as though learning is done through what he calls classical conditioning. Classical conditioning is learning in which a neutral stimulus gains the power to bring about a certain response by repeated behavior (Seifert & Hoffnung, 2000). The other scientist Skinner and his behavioral theory which is also known as operant conditioning is based on consequences that follow behavior such as positive or negative enforcements (Seifert & Hoffnung, 2000).

When it comes to the cognitive developmental theory my understanding is that it’s theory is based on learning that occurs from a change in ones mental state. As we get older we do not think that same way that we did when we were children. My understanding of the sociocultural theory is that it is theory that states that children learn from interacting with others. A child’s environment may influence the child in making certain choices. For example, when it comes to foods a person will normally eat foods that they are familiar with. Very seldom will you find someone trying out new foods. This is the same way with children. When a child is taught to do something they will continue to do that same thing until they are taught how to do it another way.

Although all the theories are based on the development of a child they have different views. Biological – maturational theory is based on the psychological part of development. Behavioral theory is based on the influence that ones environment have on their development. Cognitive developmental theory is based on the changes in one thinking and reasoning over a period of time. Sociocultural theory is based on how one develops through social interaction.

I can’t really say that I support one theory over the other because I feel as though all of the theories are true in it’s own way. To me the theories are in order process because in the beginning of life a child’s action occurs automatically, without learning or instruction, such as when being feed a baby will open its mouth to get the bottle and automatically start to suck on the nipple. As the child gets older the parent start to enforce things to shape the behavior of that child. Whether it be good or bad enforcements. As the child get a little older the development changes