Key Child Development Assumptions

The popular book by Jim Greenman, Caring Spaces, Learning Places (newly revised by Mike Lindstrom), includes a list of positive child development assumptions that underpin excellent learning environments. These ideas can serve as a self-reflection tool for program administrators and staff, or as a discussion starter between college instructors and students. Here are a few of the items on the list:

"From birth, children are active learners who construct meaning through experience...

Development is not a race, and earlier is generally not better in motor development, reading, and most other developmental areas…

The question is not, 'How smart is this child?,' but rather, 'How is this child smart?'...

Emotional intelligence is as important to success in school and life as cognition is...

The primary vehicles for child learning are:

• play: active exploration and discovery chosen by the child in an experientially rich environment
• interaction with children and adults
• opportunity for reflection on that experience...

A rich language environment is essential in the first five years of life..."

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