Abstract
This paper begins by introducing Vygotsky in a personal and historical context. The paper then explores Vygotsky as an educational theorist and his three main theories in relation to child development ( Zone of Proximal Development, Language, and Social-Cultural Interaction.) Finally, the essay covers examples of Vygotsky's theories within a classroom setting, as well as implications and lasting results from his work.

From the Paper
"Vygotsky's theories can be categorized into three major areas: zone of proximal development, language, and social interactions. The zone of proximal development also referred to as ZPD, "is the distance between the most difficult task a child can do alone and the most difficult task a child can do with help" (Chapter 5: Lev Vygotsky, 82). Children that are learning a new concept can benefit from the interaction with a teacher or classmate. This process is referred to as scaffolding; when adults and peers help a child reach a new concept or skill by giving supporting information. "

Tags:child, development, language, piaget, proximal, social, zone

Abstract
This paper is a study of children's behaviour in kindergarten. It includes situations they face, a detailed analysis of their behavior and a plan of how to deal with their behavior, all written by whom they were observed. This paper describes the observations that the author made as well as his conclusions regarding the children's behaviour.

From the Paper
"Observed Behavior: It is playtime, and two of the girls are at the art center having a conversation, during which they both decide that they want to do the same thing with the materials. Abby decides that if they share the piece they will both be happier. Heaven does not think that this is a good idea, for she had the piece of material first, so she argues with Abby telling her that whoever had it first gets the siding (the piece of material). Then as they are fighting, and I think that intervention will be needed, Abby decides to explain the concept of sharing to Heaven and then asks her if she understands. Heaven slowly but surely, nods her head ?yes.? They cut the piece, the person who did not actually cut, got to choose which piece of the siding she wanted in order to make it fair. Then afterwards when I came back, both girls were playing happily."

Tags:analysis, behavour, children, educations, observation, observations, plan

Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between reading acquisition and reading skills and the degree of parental involvement in a child's education. This includes participation in homework assignments, attendance at school functions, beliefs about their children's abilities, and how parents emphasize different aspects of a problem in their instruction, depending on their perceptions of the nature of the task and of their children's competencies in reading acquisition and reading skills. The paper includes relevant tables and figures.

From the Paper
"Although it is well established that parents play a critical role in both their children's academic achievement and their children's socioemotional development, the most basic reason to involve parents in education is student success (Greenfield & Hecht, 2001). According to Sherlie A. Anderson (2000), parental involvement is "any interaction between a parent and child that may contribute to the child's development or direct parent participation with a child's school in the interest of the child" (p. 61). Anderson notes that there are two types of parental involvement in the reading acquisition process. The first type she describes as "surface involvement"; this level involves one or both parents going to the child's school to volunteer with administrative tasks or supervising children; the second type of involvement consists of the parents working directly with children (under a teacher's supervision) in reinforcing important reading skills. "Parents are a resource that must be tapped to the fullest. They do not replace teachers, but they help fill in the gaps created by staff cutbacks. Parents can be used in a variety of meaningful ways in reading programs" (Anderson, 2000, p. 63). Further, parents stand to gain economically by helping their children learn how to read and succeed academically. According to Nabil Ibrahim, Rose-Marie Weber, and Joann Yaworski (2000), when students arrive at college ill-prepared for the rigors of higher education, it frequently results in remedial classes, lower grades, frustrated students (and parents) and consequentially higher drop-out rates. "It is certainly a concern for those parents who shoulder the high costs of tuition, room and board, and transportation for four years. In addition to students and parents, student success impacts professors and administrators at tuition driven institutions because of its potential effects on retention" (Ibrahim, Weber &Yaworski, 2000, p. 196)."

Tags:academic, computer, esl, literacy

Abstract
This paper discusses the effects of television violence on children from the perspective of their cognitive and social development. The paper explains these two perspectives as well as arguments that contend that TV has minimal influence on young viewers and then points out that this point of view is generally countered by statistical information such as that found by Leonard Eron, Ph.D., whose studies have shown that children who watched many hours of TV violence when they were in elementary school tended to also show a higher level of aggressive behavior when they became teenagers.

From the Paper
"As stated, many scholars and scientists posit the existence of a cognitive window in young children in which they are able to integrate new behavior through experience as dictated by age and brain activity. The left hemisphere of the brain is primarily responsible for integrating language skills, and this critical period of left-brain attenuation is used to explain why children are better able to assimilate language during their formative years. Aside from other implications, this method of research paints a very clear picture of the critical period in terms that are not biologically (in the sense of their mimicking animal function) or process-paradigm based, but instead focus on the actual chemistry and activity of the brain, which is seen to develop new synaptic connections
rather quickly during the critical period and then even out as the child grows older and brain activity is more leveled."

Tags:propensity, deviant, behavior, psychologists, learning, window, period, patterns

Abstract
This paper evaluates the reasons for non-parental child care in today's day and age due to demographic changes in the structure of the family and the need for mother's to work. It examines the results of several surveys on the direct effect of this type of care on child development and outlines the options which are available to families who are concerned for their child's early development, but are also in need of two incomes.

From the Paper
"Historical changes in family and economic trends have created the need for non-parental child care through a number of different societal changes. The move of families from the farms to urban settings and increased school attendance for children resulted in a reduced need for the mother to remain at home. Over time more women have been joining the work force, which has lead to an increase of financially independent women as well as less financial interdependence between wives and husbands. Society has also witnessed increased levels of divorce and children born out of wedlock. These changes in social trends have resulted in the majority of children living in one parent families or dual-earner families, which has consequently created an increased number of children requiring non-parental care for a large portion of each working day (Hernandez, 1995.)"

Tags:mother, work, force, child, care, facility, environment, society

Abstract
The paper focuses on Lev Vygotsky's theory of child development that examines the relationship between the child and his social environment and how they collaborate to mold cognition in culturally adaptive ways. The paper discusses two important concepts of Vygotsky's theory; the zone of proximal development and scaffolding. The paper discusses the importance of young children's interactions with adults and more competent peers in the development of cognition and the relationship between thought and language. The paper also looks at the implications for educators of young children.

From the Paper
"Vygotsky's theory of child development, often referred to as sociocultural theory, examines the relationship between the child and his social environment, and how they collaborate to mold cognition in culturally adaptive ways (Berk, 1997). While Vygotsky held similar views of Piaget's theory of development, in which children are active seekers of knowledge, Vygotsky did not view them as the sole constructivists of their own learning. Rather he stressed the importance of sociocultural factors on a child's learning and development. Three basic principles underlying Vygotsky's sociocultural theory examine the influences of social context on learning, the acquisition of language in context to the social environment, and the relationship of language on cognitive development."

Tags:child, development, cognition, thought, language, zone, of, proximal, development, scaffolding

Abstract
This paper looks at the work of Maria Montessori as discussed in her book 'The Absorbent Mind'. The author of this paper discusses the structure of the absorbent mind and the elements that govern the growth and development of the child.

From the Paper
"In 1949 Maria Montessori published a book entitled 'The Absorbent Mind' which was "an analysis of the physical and psychological aspects of a child's growth during the most significant period of life." Within this essay I will discuss the structure of the absorbent mind, as described by Maria Montessori, and the elements that govern the growth and development of the child.
"The period of the absorbent mind is mainly from birth to age 6, which covers the first two planes of the child's development. During the first plane, birth to 3 years, the child's absorbent mind stores all the information it absorbs into the unconscious memory, also referred to as the 'mneme'. The child is governed by an inherited ability that is pre-determined, an inbred natural instinct which steers their development and leads them to spontaneous activity. This is called the 'horme', "horme belongs to life in general, to what might be called the divine urge, the source of all evolution." . After the age of three, the child's unconscious memory comes into the conscious stage of thinking and now, in their second stage, they are aware of their learning."

Tags:education, birth, mind

Abstract
This paper begins with an overview of some of the major ideas of human development. The overview includes a discussion of Eric Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory, and Jean Piaget's four major stages of cognitive development. The paper suggests that teachers who understand these theories have a better chance of applying them in the classroom and boosting their students' self-esteem. Finally, a soft and relaxing classroom environment, emotionally responsive teachers, effective discipline strategies and multi-cultural classrooms are discussed as ways of putting the development theories into practice.

From the Paper
"They also want to do many things that adults do and in the process, and if they overstep their bounds a little, they might feel a little guilty. One example of this is when a 3 year old wanted to make breakfast for her parents one Sunday morning. She got out all of the condiments, milk, and eggs from the refrigerator, and set them on the floor. She was about to start "cooking" when her mom got up. The child was in trouble, because she tried to do "adult" things, but was developmentally unable to complete her "mission". Her parents were worried about her safety, but she didn't see it that way and felt bad about what happened."

Tags:bandura, developmental, education, erikson, piaget, psychology, teachers, teaching

Abstract
This paper examines the theories of discipline and obedience in the Montessori method of education for children. It begins with a definition of terms intrinsic to this philosophy, and them moves to explain how they are central and interconnected to the Montessori philosophy. It concludes that self-control and personal freedoms allow each student to develop into a normalized person.

From the Paper
"Discipline and Obedience in the Montessori Philosophy Dr. Maria Montessori came to develop her philosophies regarding discipline and obedience from her work with both children with and without special needs. From her beliefs that one must enable and observe the child to interact with the environment stemmed a school system which involves supporting the student in their own natural surroundings, yet transfiguring this environment to allow the student to achieve higher levels of success. As thus her ideas surrounding the models of discipline and obedience are central in allowing the young student to aim towards their inner potential. As discipline and obedience are connected through the natural growth and aims of each individual student and teacher, the normalization of each child is fostered by the freedoms allowed to them in the environment prepared and cultivated to be replicated the natural environment by the teacher. For Montessori followers, disciple and obedience are truly linked to"

Tags:discipline, obedience, montessori

Abstract
This paper analyzes the English foundation stage curriculum for three to five year old children, for all children participating in it. It identifies what is meant by an effective curriculum and analyzes the effectiveness of this curriculum for the children participating in it. The paper then considers theories of play and international approaches to learning for three to five year old children.

From the Paper
"The Dfes (2000) does attempt to take into account individual differences as point five in appendix one indicates. It states individual needs which should be incorporated include special needs, religion or ability and that children shouldn't be disadvantaged because of their differences. The Dfes (2000) already incorporates individual's needs in point four of appendix one which indicates children's experiences should build on what they know and can do. So combining these two aspects provides practitioners with suitable guidance to incorporate children of all abilities and value rather than exclude those with individual differences."

Tags:inclusion, integration, partnership