Personal Essay
In 2 pages (maximum) write your personal theory of child and adolescent development. If you haven’t had any formal training in developmental theories—Great!
What are the most important factors in determining how a child turns out as an adult?
How do children’s minds grow and change over time?
What is the role of teachers in helping children build a brain?
How do children and/or adolescents come to a sense of who they are?
What roles do “nature” and “nurture” play in human development?
How, if at all, do people change in the way they experience and handle emotion over their school years?
How do children learn to regulate their own behavior?
What is the influence of peer groups on children?
If children have challenges in their early lives (for example, alcoholism in the family, poverty, abuse or neglect, and the like) does this mean that they are going to have difficulties later? If so, what kind of difficulties and why? If not, why not?
