THEORIES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY 0-5 YEARS

GROUP MEMBERS

RAYYANATU UMAR MUSA: SPS/21/MNS/00043

ZAINAB SULE UMAR: SPS/21/MNS/00056
FATIMA LAWAL ATANA: SPS/21/MNS/00050
SUBMITTED TO
MAL KHADIJA
Presentation outlines
• Introduction
• Social Development In Early Childhood
• Definition of Social Development in Early Childhood
• Benefits of Social Development In Early Childhood
• Milestones of social Development In Early Childhood
• Theories of Child Development (Social Growth & Development 0-5 years)
• Erik Erickson theory
• Attachment theory
• Social theory
• Limitations of these theories
• Conclusion
Introduction
• A theory refers to a systematic statement of principles related to
observed phenomena and their relationship to each other.
• A theory of child development looks at the children's growth and
behaviour and interprets it. It suggests elements in the child's genetic
makeup and the environmental conditions that influence development
and behaviour and how these elements are related.
• Many different competing theories exist, some dealing with only limited
domains of development, and are continuously revised. Each theory
offers interpretations on the meaning of children's development and
behavior. Although the theories are clustered collectively into schools of
thought, they differ within each school (Cherry, 2018).
Social Development In Early Childhood

• Social development in early years of childhood is a crucial part of a

person’s overall health, well-being and happiness throughout his or her
life which is very closely associated with cognitive and emotional
development. In this process, the child learns to interact with others
(Williams, & Haley, 2017).
 Definition of Social Development in Early Childhood

Social development in early childhood refers to the gradual process by

which a child learns to interact with others, form relationships, and
develop a sense of self in relation to others. During this stage, children
learn important skills such as communication, empathy, cooperation,
and conflict resolution. These skills help children understand their own
emotions and those of others, build meaningful relationships, and
navigate the social world around them. Social development in early
childhood is crucial as it lays the foundation for future social,
emotional, and cognitive development (United Nations, 2022).
Benefits of Social Development In Early Childhood

• Develop Language Skills

• Improve Learning Abilities
• Boost Self-Esteem
• Resolve Conflicts
• Develop a Positive Attitude
How do you encourage social development in early childhood?

• Foster Positive Relationships

• Encourage Communication
• Teach Empathy
• Encourage Active Play
MILESTONES OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY
CHILDHOOD

At every age, there are some basic milestones to be developed.

0-2 YEARS
• Several skills rapidly develop during the first 2 years of life. Social skills which develop in
children are as follows:
• They smile and react positively to parents and other familiar people
• They develop stranger anxiety—though it can be frustrating, this is a normal process of
development
• They develop an attachment to a comfort object such as a blanket or animal
• They begin to show anxiety around other children
• They try to imitate adults and children—just as a child develops in other ways, many social skills
are learned simply through copying what a parent or sibling does
• They get affected by emotions of parents and others around them
3-4 YEARS
• At this time , a child’s sense of being confident begins to develop as he or
she learns to do more activities without assistance.
• At this stage, most children usually begin to:
• Share toys and take turns
• Begin engaging in pretend play
• Follow simple rules in games
• Sometimes become bossy and defiant
• Show more independence
• Might show attachment to one friend
4-5 YEARS
• At this time, children start to gain a greater awareness of their own individuality. A child’s sense of
being independent in these early stages can set a pattern for the rest of his or her life.
• At this stage, most children usually begin to:
• Develop friendships with other kids
• Compare themselves to other children and adults
• Understand other people’s thoughts and feelings
• Initiate or play with other children and make up games
• Show an understanding of right and wrong
• Listen while others are conversing
• Parents play a major role to enhance the social skills. As parents can help their kids by modelling
how to interact with people around him.
THEORIES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SOCIAL GROWTH &
DEVELOPMENT 0-5 YEARS)

• Erik Erikson was an ego psychologist who developed one of the most popular and influential
theories of development. While his theory was impacted by psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud's work,
Erikson's theory cantered on psychosocial development rather than psychosexual development.
The stages that make up his theory are as follows:
• Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy from birth to 18 months)
• Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Toddler years from 18 months to three years)
• Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool years from three to five)
• Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (Middle school years from six to 11)
• Stage 5: Identity vs. Confusion (Teen years from 12 to 18)
• Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young adult years from 18 to 40)
• Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle age from 40 to 65)
• Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (Older adulthood from 65 to death) (Erikson, 1950).
Attachment Theory in Babies, Infants, and Early
Childhood Development
According to Bowlby and Ainsworth, attachments with the primary
caregiver develop during the first 18 months or so of the child’s life,
starting with instinctual behaviors like crying and clinging (Kennedy &
Kennedy, 2004). These behaviors are quickly directed at one or a few
caregivers in particular, and by 7 or 8 months old, children usually start
protesting against the caregiver(s) leaving and grieve for their
absence.Once children reach the toddler stage, they begin forming an
internal working model of their attachment relationships.
Examples of how these theories can be applied in real-world settings (e.g.,
parenting practices, early childhood education

1. Attachment Theory in Parenting Practices:

• Applying Attachment Theory in parenting involves promoting a secure attachment relationship between parents and children. This can be achieved
through responsive and sensitive caregiving, consistent routines, and creating a safe and nurturing environment. Parents can also support their child's
social development by helping them regulate emotions, build trust, and develop a strong sense of security.
2. Theory of Mind in Early Childhood Education:
• In early childhood education settings, educators can promote Theory of Mind development by incorporating activities that encourage perspective-
taking, empathy, and understanding others' emotions. Storytelling, role-playing, and discussions about feelings and intentions can help children
develop their Theory of Mind skills and enhance their social interactions with peers.
3. Social Learning Theory in Parenting and Early Childhood Education:
• Parents and educators can apply Social Learning Theory by modeling positive social behaviors and providing opportunities for children to observe and
imitate prosocial actions. Encouraging cooperative play, teaching conflict resolution skills, and praising socially appropriate behaviors can reinforce the
importance of learning through observation and reinforcement in social development.
4. Ecological Systems Theory in Community Programs:
• Community programs designed to support social development in early childhood can benefit from an ecological systems approach by considering the
multiple environments that influence children's socialization. Collaborating with families, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations
can create a comprehensive support system that addresses the diverse needs and influences on children's social development.
5. Erikson's Psychosocial Theory in Early Intervention Programs:
• Early intervention programs can utilize Erikson's Psychosocial Theory stages to design targeted interventions that address children's social and
emotional needs at different developmental stages. By understanding the unique challenges and tasks associated with each psychosocial stage,
practitioners can tailor interventions to support children's mastery of key social skills and resolve developmental conflicts.
 Limitations of these theories

While cultural influences play a significant role in shaping children's

social development, there are some limitations to consider when
applying these theories?
1.Generalization:
2. Intersectionality:
3. Dynamic nature of culture
4. Power dynamics
5. Individual differences
6. Influence of other factors
CONCLUSION

• Understanding and applying theories of social development in early childhood

is crucial for promoting healthy social development. By utilizing these theories,
caregivers and educators can gain insights into the developmental milestones
and individual differences in social skills and behaviours.
• This knowledge allows them to tailor interventions and support strategies that
are responsive to the unique needs of each child, fostering a nurturing and
supportive environment for social growth. Moreover, by recognizing the
importance of early social experiences and the long-term impacts of social
development in the first five years, caregivers and educators can prioritize social
skill-building activities, positive role modelling, and emotional intelligence
training to promote positive social outcomes and overall well-being in children