Growth & DevelopmentUnit Four: Parenting

P.I.E.S + M -- Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social

and Moral Development

Physical Growth & Development• Involves the actual growth of all body tissues• Bones, muscles, organs and body systems become bigger and able to perform more complex actions• Fine motor skills – based on the growth of

small muscles (fingers)• Gross motor skills – based on the growth of large muscles (legs & arms)

Intellectual Growth & Development• Learning depends on brain growth and

stimulation of the brain and central nervous system by the five senses

• Brain growth during the earliest years of life is critical to cognitive development (ability to understand and learn)

Emotional Growth & Development• Emotional development is the process of

developing positive feelings about oneself, family, friends and the world.

• Every child is born with a temperament (sensitive, placid, aggressive)

• Children need to develop a full range of feelings and learn to handle the feelings appropriately

Social Development

• Social development progresses from being completely self-centered and dependent as an infant to becoming an independent adult

• Mature social skills include being able to make and keep friends, form intimate relationships, get along with others, function as an individual and as part of a team.

Social Development…con’t

• Social development depends a lot on the relationship (attachment) that is formed with the child’s primary care providers

Moral Development

• Process of learning right from wrong

• Caring behaviour is rooted in biology (we are wired to be caring)

• Nurturing environment encourages moral behaviour

Parents need to be nurturing for best development• Healthy and positive human growth and

development depend on nurturing relationships.

• Nurturing relationships include three (3) elements: – Comfort– Play – Teach

Comfort• Children may become frustrated,

anxious or overwhelmed• Parents/caregiver must use appropriate

response to help the child• Gentle rocking and soothing are

appropriate for infant/toddler• Calming words may be more appropriate for older children

Play• Play exercises a growing body and mind

• Provides a way to express emotions and develop socially

• Parents/caregivers who play with children contribute to the child’s development while strengthening their relationship

Teach

• Teaching provides children with the “know-how” to accomplish important tasks

• Ex: A parent can teach a child to climb the stairs safely

Human Development

Physical

(maturing body andhow to use it)

Intellectual

(growing mind)

Emotional

(changing feelings about self, others)

Social

(become less selfishand work with others)

Moral

(learning right fromwrong)