The purpose of this report is to apply theories of child development to four specific cases. Each case represents an individual in a specific age range (0 to 2 years, 2 to 7 years, 7 to 12 years and 12 years old and over) whose behavior was observed by the researcher. Four subjects were selected by the researcher on the basis of availability and access, as well as the age of the child.
David F. Bjorklund (2000) noted that while many theories of development that have validity and reliability have been proposed, tested and validated, it is important to recognize that there are often significant individual variations in development sequences. Such variations are often shaped and informed by such variables as individual genetic heritage, family and cultural or social environment, socioeconomic status, and so forth. Consequently, when any specific theory of development is applied to an individual, it is necessary to account for observed variances in behavior and cognition.
It is anticipated that this research project will offer an opportunity to apply the developmental theories identified by Bjorklund (2000) to a group of developing individuals ranging in age from birth through early adolescence. Such a project allows a student of human development to consider the "fit" between theory and reality.
The four individuals selected for observation were Jason, an 18 month-old male, Sue, a 6 year-ole female, Bob, a 9 year-old male, and Debbie, a 13 year-old female. These individual subjects were selected from among students at a local child care center serving children in the preschool through middle school years. Permission from the children's parents for a half-hour behavioral observation was obtained as was permission from the director of the child care center.
Behavioral observations consisted of simply remaining in the room at the child care center where the children were involved in different activities. Usi...