Childhood Development - Week 8

When I think about child development, I find these quotes worthwhile:- 

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."
- Frederick Douglass

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today."
- Stacia Tauscher

"Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand."
- Chinese proverb

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.
- Dr. Hiam Ginnot

Every experience counts, every relationship has effect, either positive or negative. Every child is unique, whatever the encounter, its effect is long term. Development is seen as holistic, continuous and cumulative. Experiences in early years are vital to later years, so caregivers’ role is crucial to healthy emotional, psychosocial, and cognitive development of children. 

It has been eight weeks of professional development and for me, gaining new understanding in early childhood development. A big thank you to my dear colleagues for their contributions, support and encouragement throughout the course.

How do I appreciate Dr Janet Kien for her support, timely corrections and contributions? Thank you very much for your understanding. You have made me better and have created a passion that cannot be quenched for early childhood in me. Hope to meet you again sometime. Thanks.

Intelligence and Testing - Week 6

Intelligence involves the ability to think, solve problems, analyze situations, and understand social values, customs, and norms. Intelligence is sometimes referred to as intelligence quotient (IQ), cognitive functioning, intellectual ability, aptitude, thinking skills and general ability of a student. Tests of intelligence and assessments are common in middle childhood because most schools still need to present their students for these tests to clear for certification. Tests are used to measure the current potential or capability of the person being tested and to predict some things.

Tests of intelligence must therefore take into consideration the other areas of the child’s development. The issue of culture, language and environment. Thinking abilities are important when taking a decision about their intelligence and other capabilities. Virtually every child grows up in some culture or other, and his intelligence score must reflect his sensitivity to it. Children who reside outside the U.S. cannot sensibly be tested on a Western intelligence test, they would do poorly. Educators and Researchers are checking which test will be manageable with the criteria of measuring intelligence correctly.

References

Comer, J. P. & Poussaint, A. F. (1992) Raising African American Children. New York: Penguin Books.

Gall, M.D., Borg, W. R., & Gall, J. P. (1996). Educational Research. New York: Longman Publishers