Arnold GesellFather of Child Development

Presented: Kim BassaECE 634Dr. Brown

QUOTE

Arnold GesellJune 21, 1880-May 29, 1961

Arnold GesellJune 21, 1880-May 29, 1961

Gesell’s Background

Gesell’s Background(continued)

Arnold Gesell: Maturationist

Maturation Theory Continued…

Arnold Gesell: Pioneer

• “Gesell was one of the first psychologists to systematically describe children’s physical, social, and emotional achievements through a quantitative study of human development from birth through adolescence” (schoolworkhelper.net).

• He also pioneered the use of motion-picture cameras to study the development of normal infants and young children.

• Child Hand Development

Gesell Dome

Developmental Schedules

Developmental Schedules

Areas of the Schedule

Observations of Children

Gradients of Growth

Strengths and Weaknesses of Gesell’s Theory

Strengths

• Studied physical and mental development

• A theory about children that was important to parents

Weakness

• Only studied in the U.S.

• School Life

Gesell’s Books(not limited to…)

The Gesell Institutehttp://www.gesellinstitute.org/contact/

Gesell’s Legacy

• Gesell is known as the “Father of Childhood” and the first psychologist to systematically document the development of children.

• He made major contributions to research by using technology (cameras) to observe and study normal infants and children.

• His “Gesell Dome” is legendary in the observation of children and their development.

• Gesell’s development of milestone (gradients of growth) are still being used by child health professionals.

• Gesell influenced numerous child psychologists and pediatricians and the continued support of his theory and beliefs can be seen at the Gesell Institute.

References

• Arnold Gesell’s development of child’s hand. [video file]

Retrieved from: Youtube.• http://schoolworkerhelper.net/growth-and-

development-theory-arnold-gesell-1880-%E2• %80%93%-1961/• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArnoldGesell• Maturational Theory (n.d.) Weber State University

Education Department. Retrieved from:http://

Departments. Weber.edu/chfam/1500/Gesell-

theory.html.