Child Development What is “Normal” Anyway?

Important Concepts in Child Development Wide range of development is “normal” Different temperament types Cultural considerations

Developmental Age Ranges Infancy (0-1 years) Early Childhood (2-5 years) Middle Childhood (6-11 years) Adolescence (12-18 years)

Developmental Considerations Physical Development  Growth  Motor development Cognitive Development  Thinking, reasoning  Language development Social and Emotional Development  Relationships (family, friends)  Emotion regulation  Disorders

Positive Development in Infancy Is welcomed at birth by parents Has good physical health and nutrition Grows normally Has normal eating, bowel, sleep patterns Has positive, cheerful, friendly temperament Feels parents’ unconditional love Responds to parents and others

Positive Development in Infancy (Cont.) Is attached to parents and trusts them Smiles, vocalizes Is adaptable Has self-comforting behaviors Explores environment actively Plays with toys Achieves developmental milestones

Concerns in Infancy Preterm birth Congenital disabilities Feeding problems Food or drug allergies Sleep problems Sleeping with bottle Early childhood caries (baby bottle tooth decay)

Concerns in Infancy (Cont.) Fussing, crying, colic, irritability Infections, illnesses Constipation, diarrhea Undernutrition (failure to thrive) Iron-deficiency anemia Chronic illness Developmental delay

Positive Development in Early Childhood Has good physical health and nutrition Has good appetite Has good sleeping habits Has regular oral health care Engages in physical activities Has positive, cheerful, friendly temperament Feels parents’ unconditional love

Positive Development in Early Childhood (Cont.) Trusts parents Relates warmly to and communicates well with parents Is developing social competence Has had many joyful experiences Accepts limits Has good attention span

Positive Development in Early Childhood (Cont.) Has normal cognitive ability Asks questions Demonstrates curiosity and initiative Plays with toys Achieves developmental milestones

Concerns in Early Childhood Sleeping concerns Eating concerns Behavioral concerns Emotional concerns Speech or language concerns Autism Few relationships with peers and/or difficulty in relating to peers

Autism Misunderstandings abound 75% of children with Autism also have mental retardation Most are not “savants” as in “Rain Man” Research does not support environmental causes such as vaccines or poor parenting Intense behavior modification treatment can be helpful

Some Typical Autistic Behaviors Spinning Stacking Hand flapping, rocking Covering ears, rocking

Concerns in Early Childhood (Cont.) Infections, illnesses Early childhood caries (baby bottle tooth decay) Lead poisoning Iron-deficiency anemia Chronic illness Developmental delay

Positive Development in Middle Childhood Has good physical health and nutrition Has good eating habits Is developing a sense of responsibility for personal health Has regular oral health care Engages in physical activities Has positive attitude

Positive Development in Middle Childhood (Cont.) Feels loved and valued by parents and other adults Has one or more close friends Is developing social competence Expresses feelings Enjoys life and has joyful experiences Participates in social activities

Positive Development in Middle Childhood (Cont.) Has personal sense of competence Has high self-esteem and expects personal success Has opportunities for new challenges Feels comfortable asking questions of parents and teachers Works hard in school Has positive role models

Concerns in Middle Childhood School concerns Behavioral concerns Peer concerns Emotional concerns Risk-taking behavior Weight and height concerns Physical inactivity

Concerns in Middle Childhood (Cont.) Chronic illness Physical complaints Tics Developmental delays

Positive Development in Adolescence Has good physical health and nutrition Maintains an appropriate weight Develops a positive body image Develops healthy habits Receives regular oral health care Participates in physical activity regularly Has a positive attitude

Positive Development in Adolescence (Cont.) Develops anger management skills Engages in safe, age appropriate experimentation Has confidants and develops capacity for intimacy Exhibits social competence Experiences hope, joy, success, love

Positive Development in Adolescence (Cont.) Has high self-esteem and expects success Learns stress management skills Demonstrates appropriate level of independence Develops individual identity Respects rights and needs of others Establishes educational and vocational goals

Concerns in Adolescence School concerns Vocational concerns Behavioral concerns Social concerns Emotional concerns Difficulty in managing anger Early or inappropriate sexual behavior Substance abuse

Concerns in Adolescence (Cont.) Dangerous behaviors Excessive risk-taking Medical concerns Weight and height concerns Lack of regular physical activity Chronic illness Transitional challenges