Year 12 Children, Family & Community
CHILD DEVELOPMENT THEORISTS
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This page contains information about key child development theories and observational videos.
Remember, if you have any issues with these resources or need extra help, you can contact Mrs Bakitch.
Last updated 6 November 2026
Bronfenbrenner
Jones, J. (n.d.). Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory of development. Study.com
Psychology Notes HQ. (2021). What is Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory? https://www.psychologynoteshq.com/bronfenbrenner-ecological-theory/
Gregory, M. (2022). What does the ‘still face’ experiment teach us about connection? https://psychhelp.com.au/what-does-the-still-face-experiment-teach-us-about-connection/
MichelleE110. (2018, February 2). Still face experiment [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/j51QvcFYp8o
MichelleE110. (2018, February 2). Still face experiment [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/j51QvcFYp8o
Erikson
Cherry, K. (2022). Erikson’s stages of development. https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development-2795740
McLeod, S. (2023). Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. https://www.simplypsychology.org/erik-erikson.html
Sutton, J. (2020). Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development explained. https://positivepsychology.com/erikson-stages/
Cherry, K. (2022). Autonomy vs shame and doubt in psychosocial stage 2. https://www.verywellmind.com/autonomy-versus-shame-and-doubt-2795733
Cherry, K. (2022). Trust vs mistrust: psychosocial stage 1. https://www.verywellmind.com/trust-versus-mistrust-2795741
ecespitia1. (2010. September 29). Autonomy vs. doubt & shame [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8FU18NkVK4
Lovely Baby. (2018, September 10). Funny baby loves food [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWvek7bFen8
Cherry, K. (2023). Initiative vs guilt: psychosocial stage 3. https://www.verywellmind.com/initiative-versus-guilt-2795737
Caters Clips. (2016, May 4). Bossy toddler tries to persuade mum to play [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kuf4Zu_XZM
cddimario. (2011, September 6). Bossy kid! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qFnVpsFR_8
Piaget
Boyd, T. (n.d.). Piaget’s theory of cognitive devleopment. Study.com
Cherry, K. (2022). Piaget’s four stages of cognitive devlopment explained. https://www.verywellmind.com/piagets-stages-of-cognitive-development-2795457
McLeod, S. (2023). Jean Piaget’s stages of cognitive development. https://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html
Nortje, A. (2021). Piaget’s stages: 4 stages of cognitive development & theory. https://positivepsychology.com/piaget-stages-theory/
McLeod, S. (2023). Piaget’s sensorimotor stage of cognitive development. https://www.simplypsychology.org/sensorimotor.html
aboals. (2018, April 17). Object permanence – Nathan at 6 and 13 months old [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvp4BLFixCw
Adam. (2013, January 22). Piaget – the a not b error (sensorimotor stage) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jW668F7HdA
Adam. (2013, January 22). Piaget – object permanence failure (sensorimotor stage) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVqJacvywAQ
Bryon-Cox, H. (n.d.). Piaget’s preoperational stage and symbolic thought. Study.com
Adam. (2013, January 22). Piaget – changes in symbolic development (preoperational stage) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAhZJfrogRg
munakatay. (2011, March 26). A typical child on Piaget’s conservation tasks [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnArvcWaH6I
ProfFoley. (2011, October 12). Piaget’s preoperational stage [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M244b2aDcz8
Vygotsky
Cherry, K. (2023). What is the zone of proximal development? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-zone-of-proximal-development-2796034
Diehl, E. (n.d.). Lev Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development. Study.com
Epstein, Varda. (n.d.). Lev Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development. https://parenting.kars4kids.org/lev-vygotskys-zone-proximal-development/
McLeod, S. (2023). Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development and scaffolding. https://www.simplypsychology.org/zone-of-proximal-development.html