Assignment 1: Module 1 – Introduction: Dimensions of Development

Child and Adolescent Development is the study of how children grow, learn, and change over
time. Taking this class is essential, not because it is a required subject in the Teacher Certificate
Program, but because it allows me to fully appreciate the cognitive, emotional, physical, social,
and educational growth that children go through.

To be a good and effective teacher someday, I must understand Child and Adolescent
Development to have appropriate expectations for the student’s knowledge, skills, and behaviors
based on their age. This will prepare me to work with children and to create activities that
effectively address their needs.

As a parent, understanding Child and Adolescent Development can help me create rules,
boundaries, and disciplinary strategies that are appropriate for my child’s age and stage of
development. For instance, understanding that it is normal for children and young teens to be
self-centered and focus on their own needs above those of others can ensure that I do not set
behavioral expectations for my children that they cannot achieve.