In this program we meet several children who have been abused or neglected, and observe sessions of therapy designed to help these children overcome their pasts. We see that, while each family provides a unique context for development, toddlers face the same developmental issues. In this program, leading developmental researchers show that the pre-school years are a fertile time for forming a sense of identity. By tracing the developmental course of play and imagination from infants to adolescents, this program shows how play enhances cognitive and social-emotional skills. In this program we observe grade-school aged children in regular and special education classes and research studies, focusing on the cognitive development of middle childhood.
Experts describe research in mathematical abilities, memory and intelligence.
As we observe children involved in such things as gymnastics competition and friendships in and out of school, experts discuss self-esteem, motivation, and achievement as elements of the social and emotional development of middle childhood, with primary interest in self and peers. As we watch children interacting with each other, various experts discuss the development of prosocial and aggressive behavior during middle childhood, focusing on empathy, conflict at home, friendship and the possible effects of television on behavior. This program focuses on physical and cognitive development in adolescence. Experts, and teens themselves, discuss differences between teen's abilities and interests and parents' expectations, and moral development and physical changes which occur in the teenage years. Teenage Relationships Social and emotional development in adolescence is presented in this program, which features views of high school social activities, shopping with friends, and teens discussing sex and peer relationships.