The area of psychology that most interests me is developmental
psychology. Developmental psychology is defined as “a scientific
approach which aims to explain growth, change and consistency though
the lifespan” (McLeod, 2017, p. 1). In other words, developmental
psychology consists of and researches human growth and changes
throughout a lifetime. Specifically, I would like to work with young children
in assessment and behavioral development. While working in this field, I
have learned that assessment is crucial to the growth of young children as
it shows teachers where children are and what kind of support they need
to get to where they are going. Assessments also shows teachers what
children need to work on, so that teachers can add it into their lesson
plans. I use this skill every time I assess a child in my care and support
them within both individual and group lessons.
Within the biblical worldview, this area will look like an area of growth.
Developmental psychology is a field that studies changes and growth
while humans also go through spiritual growth. The article by Joann Conn
and Walter Conn shows how humans go through spiritual growth in all
different stages of life, just like we also go through developmental growth.
Conn and Conn state “Christian spiritual growth is movement into deeper
and more comprehensive love. Love is Jesus's only command and the
tradition's standard of 'perfection'. The same movement from self-
centredness to self-transcendence is the criterion of growth in
developmental psychology” (n.d., p. 4). This shows how developmental
psychology can be viewed as biblical growth and how it all connects back
to a deeper love with Jesus. This also opens doors on how the Bible can be
used within developmental psychology and how it can not only help young
children with their developmental growth, but their overall connection to
Jesus.
As the Bible states “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2
Peter 3:18). This quote connects really well to developmental psychology
and spiritual growth, as not only should we all continue to grow, but we
should grow with God by our sides.
References
Conn, J., & Conn, W. (n.d.).<Christian spiritual growth and developmental
psychology. Retrieved from
https://www.theway.org.uk/Back/s069WolskiConn.pdf
McLeod, S. (2017, January 1).<Developmental psychology. Developmental
Psychology. Retrieved from
https://www.simplypsychology.org/developmental-psychology.html
Testimonio. (2022).<29 inspirational bible verses about growth.
testimon.io. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://testimon.io/blog/bible-verses-
about-growth
