Why Study Development

The information we have today about child development comes from a wide variety of sources. It has been said that the body of knowledge about children's development doubles every three years. Today's knowledge comes from studies in psychology, sociology, linguistics, health, anthropology, history, and education. This may sound overwhelming, but it serves as a reminder of how important it is to be constantly watching children to learn about their development. The recent changes in NAEYC's standards for programs and professional preparation of early childhood educators have been prompted by changes in the knowledge base of the early childhood profession. Major reports from the National Research Council have synthesized research on the science of learning and integrated child development studies (2000), again expanding our understandings of early childhood. NAEYC believes that all early childhood professionals should have a broad knowledge of development across the birth-to-age 8 range regardless of what age child or what kind of program they intend as a career focus. Many research studies and significant theories about development will guide us as we observe children and make decisions about their learning. Why study development? The answer is decision making. Using what we know and observe about children's development guides our decisions about their environment, their activities, and how we interact with them.