Development Characteristics of Learners

​​Prep and Year 1 Developmental Characteristics of Learners​
 
Spiritual developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Imitate the religious gestures and behaviours of others without comprehending any meaning or significance to the activities
·        Parental attitudes towards moral codes and religious beliefs convey to children what they consider to be good and bad
·        Assimilate some of the values and beliefs of their parents
·        Follow parental beliefs as part of their daily lives
 
Moral developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Level 1: Preconventional Level –Self Focused Morality (up to age 9):​
 
Stage 1: individual obeys rules in order to avoid punishment
Stage 2: individual conforms to society’s rules in order to receive rewards
 
3-6 Years
·        Protects self and stands up for his/her rights
·        Is concerned with what behaviour works to bring about reward or punishment
·        Still needs outside controls as his/her conscience relatively unformed.
4-7 Years
·        In moral-ethical realm, the child is not able to show principles underlying best behaviour
·        Rules of a game not developed, only uses simple do’s and don’ts imposed by authority
 
Physical developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Enjoy long periods of free play
·        Developing eye-hand coordination
·        Enjoy small group cooperative games
·        May require rest after high energy play
·        Improved body coordination; yet still can fall easily
 
Social Emotional developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Eager to receive adult praise
·        Enjoy dramatic play
·        Eager to engage in new activities/adventures lead by involved adult
·        Eager to identify with older children
·        Enjoy exploring new materials and equipment
·        Can be easily frightened by novel or strange events
·        Prefer play in small groups
·        Like responsibilities they can handle
​·        Learning to cooperate with others, but may at times display selfish behaviour
 
Cognitive developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Understand language better than they speak
·        Are interested in present; vague concepts of past/future
·        Eager to learn, ask many questions, define things by their use
·        Developing a sense of humour
·        Communicate best within a small group of peers
·        May need assistance of adult when starting a new task
 
Year 2 & Year 3 Developmental Characteristics of  Learners
Spiritual developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Spiritual development parallels cognitive development and is closely related to children’s experience and social interaction
·        Most have a strong interest in religion during the school age years
·        The existence of duty is accepted and petitions to an almighty being are important and expected to be answered
·        Good behaviour is rewarded, and bad behaviour is punished
·        Developing a conscience for thoughts and matters
Moral developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Level 1: Preconventional Level –Self Focused Morality (up to age 9):
o   Stage 1: individual obeys rules in order to avoid punishment​
o   Stage 2: individual conforms to society’s rules in order to receive rewards
4-7 Years
·        In moral-ethical realm, the child is not able to show principles underlying best behaviour
·        Rules of a game not developed, only uses simple do’s and don’ts imposed by authority
Physical developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Enthusiastic about games
·        Experiencing improvement in both gross motor and fine motor skills
·        Possess a high activity level
·        Practice to master variations of movement for physical activities
·        Enjoy games that allow for comparison of skills
·        Enjoy games that allow for self-improvement
Social Emotional developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Have a strong drive toward independence
·        Develop a strong sense of loyalty to friends
·        Need to belong to a group
·        Play with and are friends with same-sex peers
·        Like to take on responsibility
·        Live in a world of games, rituals and humour inhabited only be children
·        Like to have a best friend
·        Have a rigid sense of right and wrong
·        Need help accepting peers who are different or left out of a group
Cognitive developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Like to talk; use language to express feelings/tell stories
·        Developing a sense of time
·        Enjoy collecting things
·        Enjoy problem solving games like treasure hunts
·        Can plan and carry out projects with adult support
·        Becoming more self-directed in activities
·        Better able to understand and appreciate difference of opinion
Year 4 – Year 6 Developmental Characteristics of  Learners
Spiritual developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Spiritual development parallels cognitive development and is closely related to children’s experience and social interaction
·        Most have a strong interest in religion during the school age years
·        The existence of duty is accepted and petitions to an almighty being are important and expected to be answered
·        Good behaviour is rewarded, and bad behaviour is punished
·        Developing a conscience for thoughts and matters
·        Are able to articulate their faith; may even question its validity
Moral developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Conventional Level –Other Focused Morality (9 years - adolescence)
o   Stage 3:
§  individual behaves morally in order to gain approval from other people
§  Children begin to understand what is expected of them by their parents, teacher, etc.
§  Morality is seen as achieving these expectations.
o   Stage 4:
§  Conformity to authority to avoid censure and guilt
§  Fulfilling obligations as well as following expectations are seen as moral law for children at this stage
Physical developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Maybe careless about their clothes, room and body cleanliness
·        Girls may have sudden growth spurt and beginning sign of puberty
·        Enjoy physical activities that master specific skills’
·        Enjoy competitive games
·        Possess a high activity level
·        Enjoy games that allow for comparison of skills
·        Enjoy games that allow for self-improvement
Social Emotional developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Enjoy small, peer dominated group discussions’
·        Like to join organised groups
·        Are anxious to grow up
·        Are intensely loyal to their peer group
·        Form a close one-on-one friendship
·        Have a growing desire to assert individuality and independence
·        Can be daring and competitive’
·        Can be critical of peers and adults’
·        Are self-conscious of their abilities
Cognitive developmental characteristics of learners.
·        Ask many questions and want thoughtful answers
·        Can often understand other points of view
·        Developing strong interests, hobbies and collections e
·        Engage in daydreaming
·        Enjoy problem solving games and puzzles etc.
·        Enjoy rule based games
·        Are beginning to develop view about social/global issues
·        Beginning to enjoy humour by telling jokes and understanding sarcasm
References
All Psych Online: Chapter 3 Personality Development http://allpsych.com/psychology101/development.html
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development :
McLeod,S.A. (2011). Kohlberg – Moral Development. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/Kohlberg.html
Spiritual Development  http://www.scribd.com/doc3808591/Spiritual-Development