Growth and Development

Child Development The study of a child from Conception to age 18

Stages of Development Infancy Toddler Preschool School Age Adolescents Birth to 12 months Toddler 12 months to 3 years Preschool 3 years to 6 years School Age 6 years to 12 years Adolescents 13 years to 18 years

Growth A child’s physical increase in size or amount that is easily observed

Development The ability of a child to do things that are complex and difficult

Laws of Growth and Development Growth proceeds from head to foot Lift head, pick up objects, walk to objects Growth proceeds from near to far Scoot body, wave arms, grab objects, pick up objects Growth proceeds from simple to complex sleeping, being fed, holding bottle, feeding self Growth is continuous and orderly Both legs grow at the same time and rate

Generalizations of Growth and Development Every child grows in his/her own unique way Every individual normally passes through every stage of development Behavior is caused Learning must wait on maturation Whenever an act results in a feeling of satisfaction, the act is likely to be repeated

Areas of Development Physical Cognitive Social Emotional Moral

Physical development Muscle coordination and control Growth in size and proportion Ex: child rolling over, lifting its head, sitting up, kicking or catching a ball

Cognitive Development Ability of the brain to take in and process information Ex: child recognizing their name, recognizing a parent, recognizing when they shake a rattle it will make noise

Social Development A child learning and discovering the expectations and rules for interacting with others Ex: child smiling at mother, child learning to share a toy

Emotional Development Ability to recognize and understand feelings and how to respond to them appropriately Ex: child feeling jealousy to a new baby, feeling love for another person, being afraid of the dark

Moral Development Identifying personal values Ex: Right vs. Wrong, behaving according to what others need or want, respecting human rights, developing principles to guide behavior

Why do we observe children? To gain a deeper understanding To get to know a specific child better To assess children developmentally and compare To identify special needs To assess teaching skills