Development Theories

Berk, L. A. (2014). Development through the lifespan (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Select one of the following theories from your Reading, explain the theory and how it relates to infant and toddler development, and write a short scenario that exemplifies the theory.  Practice using your understanding of infant/toddler developmental theories in your responses to your classmates and pretend that you are a therapist assigned to work with the client in each scenario.

Theories used in the sample: non organic failure to thrive, separation anxiety, language development issues

Sample scenario: Tom

Tom is a 2-year-old male whose parents work many hours during the week. While his parents work during the week, he stays with his grandmother, who has difficulty keeping up with him throughout the day. She spends much of her time ignoring him by watching television instead of playing with him. When Tom’s parents brought him to you, he seemed to be very small for a child his age and showed some severe developmental delays. He did not speak many words and did not seem to be putting together sentences yet. His parents brought him to you because he screams and yells every morning when his mother leaves him at his grandmother’s house.