Early Life
What year was Arnold Gesell born?
1880
Which influential psychologist did Gesell study under at Clark University?
G. Stanley Hall
What two fields did Gesell combine in his research?
Psychology and Medicine
What is Gesell’s most well-known theory?
Maturation Theory
When did Gesell pass away?
1961
What was his father’s job that later influenced his research methods?
Photographer
What degree did he receive in 1911?
Ph.D. in Psychology
What innovative tools did he use to observe children’s behavior?
One-way mirrors and motion picture cameras
What does the Maturation Theory emphasize?
That development follows a genetically determined timeline
Name a way Gesell contributed to education.
He helped shape school readiness testing
What university did Gesell attend for his undergraduate studies?
University of Wisconsin
In what year did he earn his medical degree (M.D) and from what University?
1917
Yale
What clinic did Gesell establish at Yale?
Yale Clinic of Child Development
What assessment tool did he create for early childhood development?
Gesell Developmental Schedules
What idea did Gesell popularize about children's growth?
Each child develops at their own natural pace
What inspired Gesell’s interest in child development?
His work with children with disabilities and influence from G. Stanley Hall
What motivated Gesell to study medicine after earning his Ph.D.?
To gain a deeper understanding of children's physical development
What method did Gesell pioneer that allowed consistent, naturalistic observation?
Non-intrusive filming through observation domes
What was the primary focus of Gesell’s “The First Five Years of Life”?
The development of children’s physical, motor, social, and emotional skills in the early years
What long-term impact did Gesell's schedules have?
They are still used in pediatric and educational settings today