1st Edition

The Psychology of Early Childhood A Study of Mental Development in the First Years of Life

By C.W. Valentine Copyright 1942
    538 Pages
    by Routledge

    538 Pages
    by Routledge

    Originally published in 1942, this title attempted to trace, from their very earliest appearances after birth, all aspects of mental development in childhood up to the age of about 4 or 5. It is based largely on the author’s almost daily observations of his own five children, over a period of some twenty years, supplemented by numerous tests and experiments.

    The first purpose of this book was to advance our knowledge of the psychology of childhood. The importance of such knowledge had become increasingly recognised. Even if not all is completely determined in the first 4-5 years, there was little doubt by this time that these first years are of profound significance for future development: and the better understanding and training of the young child may be at the root of many of our educational and social problems.

    1. Introductory  2. Methods of the Study of Infant Psychology  3. Fundamental Factors in Mental Development: Maturation, Exercise and Physiological Conditions  4. Further Aspects of Development  5. Endowment and Behaviour of the New-Born Infant  6. Spontaneous Movements and the Beginning of the Control of Movements  7. The Earliest Expressions and Causes of Feelings or Emotions  8. Reflexes: Their Development, Variability and Evanescence and their Relation to Voluntary Movements and Instincts  9. The Beginnings and Significance of Play  10. The Psychology of Imitation  11. The Innate Bases of Fears  12. Genetic Psychology of Laughter  13. Suggestion and Suggestibility  14. Anger and Pugnacity  15. Self-Assertion, Submission, Display and Shyness  16. Sympathy and Affection  17. Affection for Parents and the Supposed Oedipus Complex  18. The Development of Sex and Sex-Interests in Infancy  19. Learning and Remembering  20. The Beginnings and Developments of Language  21. Ideational or Thought Processes  22. Some Special Abilities and Ideas.  Appendix 1: Stages of Development.  Appendix 2: Right- and Left-Handedness.  Appendix 3: The Earliest Dreams of B.  Index.

    Biography

    C.W. Valentine