Theory Comparison

There are many theories on how children develop. Those theories range from crises that
someone faces in different stages in their lives to the fact that children are citizens and have
rights of their own. The theorists are Erikson, Maslow, Piaget, Vygotsky, Skinner, and the
Reggio Emilia approach. The theories are all very different, but they tie together nicely.
Erik Eriksons theory is a theory that focuses on a challenge that one must face during
each stage of life. These challenges are trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame, initiative vs.
guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs.
stagnation, and integrity vs. despair. This theory is different from all of the major theories
because it mentions a specific challenge that someone faces during each phase of life. This
theory can help one understand children by knowing which challenge they are currently in and
they can help that child face the challenge.
Maslows theory is a hierarchy of needs. Children must have physical needs met first,
then safety needs, a sense of love, and self-esteem before they can reach their full potential.
Maslows theory differs from the other major child development theories because this focuses on
specific needs that have to be met before a child can fully develop. This theory can help teachers
understand children because if they meet these basic needs, they can help expedite the
development process.
Jean Piagets theory is constructivism. Constructivism is the theory that children build
their knowledge through firsthand experiences in stimulating environments. This theory is
unique because it focuses on the cognitive development of children, whereas the other theories

focus on different aspects of a childs development. One can understand a child better through
this theory because teachers can know how a child learns and help them learn that way.
The next theory is that of Lev Vygotsky. His theory is sociocultural-meaning the things
that children learn are determined by the culture in which they grow up. The sociocultural theory
is unique because it focuses on the fact that children learn through the environment they live in.
Through this sociocultural theory, teachers can better understand the things that children know
and know what they need to learn.
B. F. Skinners theory is that of behaviorism. He believes that learning is a change in
behavior that is controlled by the consequences, whether they are negative or positive, that
influence their behavior. This theory differs from the other major child development theories
because it solely focuses on the behavior of children. Understanding the theory of behaviorism
can help teachers to enforce positive behaviors in children by teaching them the consequences of
their actions.
The last major theory is the Reggio Emilia approach. This approach says that children
are citizens and they have rights of their own. This approach is unique because it focuses on the
rights and privileges of children, whereas the other theories do not focus on that at all. This
theory is difficult to understand because it is hard to see what the actual theory is. Yes children
have rights, but it is difficult to understand how that influences their development. Other
theories specifically mention how their beliefs influence the development of children, but the
Reggio Emilia approach does not.