A Child's Mind: How Kids Learn Right & Wrong

Operating from the premise that every child is born into some sort of cultural framework that involves attitudes and behaviors labeled “good” and “bad” or “right” and “wrong,” this program presents a survey of several major models of moral development from influential theorists, with plenty of real-world examples and interviews with early childhood education experts and a developmental psychologist. Their observations are intended to answer important questions: What is the responsibility of adults to teach ethics to children? And how and when can youngsters actually comprehend such information? Each theorist and model is introduced, explained, and compared (with various criticisms also noted). From Jean Piaget's heteronymous versus autonomous morality up through current “theory of mind” ideas that have to do with kids' ability to see the world through another's perspective, each segment includes practical suggestions on how parents, teachers, and caregivers can integrate particular theories into everyday interactions with children. The added emphasis on practicality makes this useful for both developmental psychology coursework and teacher training or parenting classes. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (E. Gieschen)