Child DevelopmentChild DevelopmentChild DevelopmentChild Development

Why Study Child Development??The Top TEN Reasons

1. You will learn about the person you are.2. You will learn about the child you were.3. You will learn about the adult you will be4. You may be a father or mother someday.5. You may choose a career that involves

working with children.

6. You will learn how to care for children7. You will learn how to observe and

understand children.8. You will strengthen your relationships

with younger brothers, sisters, or other children you know.

9. You can better plan your future in relation to parenthood.

10.You may discover that children are FUN!!

The pattern of change that occurs as children grow from

birth to adolescenceHow – When – Why & in What

Order??.

Child DevelopmentChild DevelopmentChild DevelopmentChild Development

The growth of the body as well as its abilities. Height,

weight, motor skills,

coordination & balance.

Physical Development

Motor Skills

Abilities that depend on the use and control

of muscles

Intellectual DevelopmentOften called “cognitive”

development. Occurs as children learn to think, understand, reason and use language.

Language Development

Changes in the ability to communicate verbally

Social DevelopmentDevelops as children learn to

relate to other people – learning skills needed to get along with people and fit into

society.

Interpersonal Skills• Children learn to play

together, share – trade – settle problems with words rather than hitting, biting, kicking,

etc…

Emotional Development

Includes feelings about themselves, others and the

world. Good emotional development depends heavily

of the treatment a child receives.

Moral DevelopmentChildren develop beliefs and

attitudes about what is important – called values.

Families teach many values – religion and society teach

them also.

Laws of Growth and Development

1. Growth proceeds from head to foot.

– lift head, pick up objects, walk to objects etc…

2. Growth proceeds from near to far – from body trunk outward.1. Scoot body, wave arms, grab

objects, pick up objects.

• 3. Growth proceeds from the simple to complex.– Sleeping, being fed, holding

the bottle, feeding self.

4. Growth is continuous and orderly – both legs grow at the same rate.

The Five Stages Of Development

1. Infancy – birth to 12 months.2. Toddler – 12 months to 3 years3. Preschool – 3 years to 6 years4. School Age – 6 years – 12 years5. Adolescence – 13 years – 18 years