CHCECE017 - Arnold Gesell: Stages Of Development

[gracelily]

Hi there.

I've recently started my diploma and I'm stuck on a question in the unit "Foster the holistic development and wellbeing of the child"

The question is
"A child’s physical development develops at an individual rate; however, there are general stages of development that occur in an orderly, sequential and predictable pattern (Arnold Gesell). Explain the stages of physical development."

When I search Gesell's theories I cant find anything to really do with the physical development of the child. Only information outlining "developmental milestones in ten major areas: motor characteristics, personal hygiene, emotional expression, fears and dreams, self and sex, interpersonal relations, play and pastimes, school life, ethical sense, and philosophic outlook."

Any help at all is very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Grace.

[Lorina]

Physical development

The American theorist and researcher Arnold Gesell (1880 1961) was an early proponent of maturational theory. He identified the role of nature or heredity in
-running debate about whether our biological heritage ( nature ) is more important than the environment we are brought up in ( nurture ). In this context, environment is seen to be everything external that contributes to our development, such as care giving strategies, parenting styles and other influences. Nature is considered to be our biological inheritance. The genes in our bodies determine what colour eyes we have, for instance, and also at what age we start walking. Gesell gathered normative data on a range of children and made this information accessible to the general public. He unfolded according to a genetic timetable. He developed a timetable of developmental events which we still use today.

Theories Of Child Development

From my understanding I think it is referring to the Developmental Milestones/Checklists: Child Development

Hope this helps,

,
Lorina

[C813]

Stages:
●Development from top to bottom: head to toe
●Development from centre of the body outwards: control of the body (torso, head, neck and shoulders), then control of rhe outer limbs (arms and legs), then control of the extremities (hands, feet, fingers and toes)
●Simple movements before complex movements: we build on what we know. E.g. jumping vertically and later jumping forward.