Tag Archives: development

Childhood development is defined as the biological, emotional, and psychological changes that occur between the time of birth and when adolescence concludes. During this period in the child’s life, they progress from complete dependency to increasing levels of autonomy. Genetics and prenatal development are considered a part of child development studies because developmental changes are typically influenced by genetics. Additionally, these changes occur based on a genetically-controlled process that is referred to as maturation.

Since each period in a child’s development feature specific differences based on when these periods start and finish, they have their own separate definitions or descriptions such as:

o Newborn – 0 to 1 month

o Infant – 1 month to 1 year

o Toddler – 1 to 3 years

o Preschooler – 4 to 6 years

o School age – 6 to 13 years

o Adolescence – 13 to 20 years

As a child’s optimal development is vital to society, it is important that you understand the cognitive, educational, emotional, and social development of the child.

Developmental domains

In the area of childhood development, there are basically five distinct domains that are all interrelated. Oftentimes referred to as the “SPICE” of life, these domains are:

Social – this includes the ability to create long-term relationships, co-operate and share, form attachments, and play with others

Physical – involves the development of “fine” or smaller motor skills and “gross” or larger ones

Intellectual – the child’s processing and making sense out of the world surrounding them

Creative – the development of creativity by using special abilities and talents such as Art, Music, Reading, Singing, and Writing

Emotional – is the development of coping mechanisms for emotions and feelings in order to understand them while at the same time developing self-awareness and self-confidence

These are all critical facets of early childhood development which are groomed and nurtured with the formal care and education of children in their earlier years. In addition to what they are taught in the home, they are also influenced and taught by individuals outside of the home.

About early childhood

In this instance, the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) defines early childhood as “before the age of eight.” During this specific period of time, the child’s needs are quite different from those of schoolchildren who are in an older age bracket. This is due to the fact that the greatest amount of formative development and growth occurs during the first eight years of the child’s life.