MEANING,DEFINITION,SCOPE,IMPORTANCE AND METHODS OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

 "child psychology is a positive science which studies the behavior of child in the context of his environment treating the child as an individual".

"The Name child psychology was changed in child development rather than certain aspects of developments".

-Hurlock

MEANING OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

child psychology ,as is evident by the nomenclature, is the psychology of child. A child is a human being of a definite age. Psychologists maintain that childhood continues till the age of twelve. Between the ages of twelve and eighteen children are called adolescents.

so far we have been concerned with the literal meaning of the term child psychology and have called it the study of the child .obviously, it is an important branch of psychology ,a term which in itself should be understood properly before the meaning of child psychology becomes clear. Modern psychologist define psychology as the positive science of human behavior which endeavors to understand man in his environment.

DEFINITION OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

It is essential to define psychology in order to arrive at a precise definition of child psychology because the latter is a branch of former.

In the words of Crow and Crow, "Child psychology is the scientific study of the individual from his parental beginnings through the early stages of his adolescent development. "In brief, it can be said that "child psychology is a positive science which studies the behavior of child in the context of his environment treating the child as an individual".

1.Study in the context of the environment
2.Study of the individual
3.Study of the child
4.Study of behavior
5.Positive science

IMPORTANCE OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

All modern psychologists stress the need for every teacher being acquainted with child psychology. The following benefits can be derived from a knowledge of psychology.

1.Understanding the student
2.Improvement in teaching methods
3.Improvement in curriculum
4.Evalution and testing
5.Diagnosis and solution of classroom problems
6.Discipline and administration
7.Improvement in teacher taught relationship
8.Experiment and research

SUBJECT MATTER OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

The subject matter of child psychology is the child itself. The term 'child' denotes a definite stage in the development of the human being. This stage extends from the time of birth to the adolescent period. Obviously ,the subject matter of child psychology is man's development from his birth to the time he reaches adolescence.

SCOPE OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

1.Stages of growth and maturation

2.Environmental influences upon development

3.Interaction between the child and the members of society

4.Mental processes of the child

5.Individual differences between children

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

In ancient times , the child was studied from worldly and other worldly viewpoints. Attempt was made to develop all those traits in the child which were required for his/her worldly and spiritual development. Emphasis was laid on rigorous punishment and strict discipline. Locke believed the child mind to be a 'Tabula Resa' on which anything can be written. In 18th century started the studies of children to mould  them according to social and spiritual ideals. Thus started child Psychology.

In 1628 John Amos Comenius wrote a book entitled "School of Infancy". It made a significant contribution to child psychology. After Comenius Johan Locke, Rousseau, Herbart, Pestalozzi, Iroebel and Maria Montessori made significant contribution in child psychology.

In 1887 was started an association for previewing the child against oppression. Psychological Guidance Bureaus and Child Psychological Clinics started .In 1898 Stanley Hall organized a Child Development Association in the International Educational Conference at Chicago, U.S.A. The started associations and clinics concerned with the child all over the world. In India was started the Institute of  Public Cooperation and Child Development. It's making significant contribution to the study of the child and child education,