Gesells maturation theory

Question 1

How did Gesell study

Answer 1

-He looked into children’s biological maturation around the 1940s-50s

Question 2

What was his methodology

Answer 2

Observing large numbers of children to find the skills and abilities that most children had in each age group

Question 3

Gesells findings
(point 1)

Answer 3

-Identifying norms/milestones for each developments aspect

Question 4

What are norms/milestones helpful for

Answer 4

They help educators and parents to measure children’s development AND recognise developmental delay

Question 5

Gesells findings
(point 2)

Answer 5

A child moves through a sequence at their OWN PACE

Question 6

Gesells findings
(point 3)

Answer 6

Development is PREDETERMINED and environment has little influence

Question 7

Gesells findings
(point 4)

Answer 7

If a child experiences delayed development then the issue is one of the passing characteristics genetically rather than environment

Question 8

CRITICISMS OF GESELL

Answer 8

Maturation theory is not helpful in explaining individual/cultural differences OR children without learning difficulties