The present study is thus to attempt to suggest the new direction of child
development and education from the viewpoint of life-span developmental theory.
Life-span developmental theory has three characteristics: namely, human
development is multidimensional, multidirectional, and plastic, development takes
place through reciprocal interaction between active individual and active context,
and individuals are regarded as producers of their development. The implications of
life-span developmental theory for child development and education are as follows.
First, every child is recognized as a unique being, and child education gives
consideration to child\'s specific character and ability. Second, if we accept the
changes which occur through reciprocal interaction between child and context,
parents and teachers do always self-monitoring. Finally, the life-span developmental
approach to development focuses upon conflict, thus the conflict is a prerequisite
for development.