1. Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
There are several stages of development and factors that affect the proper growth and development of children.
Understanding how a child might act or what a child might learn at different ages and stages will help you know what to expect from a child in your care.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

2. Child Development Basics
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Child Development Basics
Child development is the pattern of changes that scientists study in how children grow from birth to teen years.
Researchers study four areas of development:
Physical
Intellectual
Emotional
Social
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

3. Physical Development Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Physical development is how a child’s body grows and what the body can do.
The most dramatic changes in growth happen during infancy and the teen years.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

4. Physical Development Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Large Motor Skills
Learning to move and control larger muscles
Small Motor Skills
Learning to move and control smaller muscles
Balance and Motor Coordination
Refining and strengthening large- and small-motor skills
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

5. Intellectual Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Intellectual Development
Cognitive development researchers have found that infants develop certain skills as they make sense of their experiences.
cognitive development
How children think, communicate, make decisions, and solve problems.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

6. Intellectual Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Intellectual Development
Children learn best through sensorimotor learning.
sensorimotor
Exploring one’s surroundings through the senses of sight, touch, taste, sound, and smell.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

7. Intellectual Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Intellectual Development
As children gather sensory information, such as a bitter taste or a loud noise, their brains explain and store the information.
sensory
Relating to the senses and the sense organs.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

8. Intellectual Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Intellectual Development
Sensory Skills
Children use their senses to learn about the objects around them.
Language Skills
Language allows children to organize and express thoughts.
Children use language to explore what interests them.
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9. Intellectual Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Intellectual Development
Concepts
Concepts allow children to notice differences and to see that objects vary.
Thinking Skills
Children learn to analyze, evaluate, and solve problems.
Children begin to recognize cause-and-effect relationships.
Children start to understand the consequences of their actions.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

10. Emotional Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Emotional Development
Some children may be naturally shy, although others of the same age have a temperament that is more outgoing.
temperament
A typical way a person responds to people and situations.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

11. Emotional Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Emotional Development
Emotional development takes place as children form feelings about themselves and others.
They experience feelings such as
happiness.
excitement.
fear.
frustration.
anger.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

12. Emotional Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Emotional Development
Temperament
Each child is born with an individual temperament.
When caring for children, it is important to identify and respect their individual temperaments and to react with sensitivity.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

13. Emotional Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Emotional Development
Trust and Attachment
Children learn to trust through emotional bonds.
Consistent and responsive care can generate and reinforce children’s trust in caregivers.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

14. Emotional Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Emotional Development
Identity and Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the overall belief children have about themselves.
Children form a mental picture of who they are.
Self Control
Children understand and learn to control emotions.
Children learn to accept that everyone has feelings they must respect.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

15. Social and Ethical Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Social and Ethical Development
Social development builds as children learn how to get along, to play, and to make friends.
Children learn that society has rules to follow.
An understanding of ethics begins as children learn the difference between right and wrong.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

16. Social and Ethical Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Social and Ethical Development
Family Relationships
Children receive their foundation for morals and ethics from their families.
Teachers can reinforce this foundation by learning about each family and encouraging children to act according to their families’ values.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

17. Social and Ethical Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Social and Ethical Development
As a result of perspective taking, children make friends more easily and become accepted members of a group.
perspective taking
Through play, children learn to consider and respect other children’s points of view as well as their own.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

18. Social and Ethical Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Social and Ethical Development
Peer Relationships
As children interact with others, they learn that everyone has different goals, ideas, and ways of doing things.
Perspective taking allows social skills to develop, such as listening, taking turns, sharing, and resolving conflict.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

19. Child Development Research
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Child Development Research
Prompted by a growing number of questions from doctors and parents, child development researchers have created a body of knowledge about how children learn and develop skills.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

20. Child Development Research
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Child Development Research
The theories of researchers such as Jean Piaget and Abraham Maslow have become accepted by a large number of child development experts.
theories
Ideas and principles about a subject that can be investigated, using the scientific method.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

21. Child Development Research
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Child Development Research
The results of research can be categorized into two main groups:
Environment
Heredity
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

22. Child Development Research
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Child Development Research
The environment in which a child is raised can have an impact on his or her life forever.
environment
The people, culture, and physical and social surroundings in which the child lives.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

23. Child Development Research
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Child Development Research
Characteristics determined by heredity include hair color, blood type, eye color, and certain diseases.
heredity
Qualities and traits that are passed from parents to children through their genes at conception.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

24. Principles of Child Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Principles of Child Development
Many factors play a part in the growth and development of children.
factors
Things that contribute to a result.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

25. Principles of Child Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Principles of Child Development
Researchers have defined five general principles of child development:
Development follows a similar pattern for each child.
Development rate depends on the individual.
Development is sequential.
Development is interrelated.
Development is a lifelong process.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

26. Brain Coordination Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Every human is born with billions of neurons.
neurons
Nerve cells in the brain that are the basic functional units of the nervous system.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

27. Brain Coordination Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Some experts say that, by adulthood, the brain has more than 100 trillion synapses.
synapses
Electrical connections between neurons.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

28. Brain Coordination Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
All areas of human development are affected by the growth and functions of the brain.
Synapses increase throughout growth, but neurons do not increase.
As synapses increase, neuron pathways develop.
This brain wiring sends information to all parts of the body to tell it how to function.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

29. Brain Coordination Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Sensory Experiences
A child’s synapses increase with nurturing and sensory and movement experiences.
Repeated and Related Experiences
Repetition helps the brain retain information.
Critical Periods
Each development area has its own time frame for normal development to occur.
Caregivers must recognize and take advantage of this time frame.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

30. Development Rates Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Developmental stages are predictable.
The rate at which each child progresses through a stage varies.
Sometimes a child may experience different rates of development in each area.
Every child must pass through all stages to grow and to mature.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

31. Development Rates Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Early educators must consider the total child when planning activities that promote growth, development, and learning.
Sequential Development
The skills children learn develop gradually and build upon each other.
Interrelated Development
Growth in one area can affect growth in another.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

32. Stop Here!

33. Factors Affecting Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Factors Affecting Development
Children who live in at-risk environments may fall behind other children their age developmentally.
at-risk
Environments that interfere with proper development and well-being.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

34. Factors Affecting Development
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Factors Affecting Development
Proper growth and development depends on heredity and environment.
Heredity may pass on to children serious diseases or physical or mental disabilities.
Children who live in at-risk environments may not receive enough nurturing and stimulation from their parents or care providers.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

35. Heredity and Environment
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Heredity and Environment
Many scientists believe that heredity and environment each play a significant role in development.
Heredity is set before birth and is unchangeable.
Environment after birth changes regularly.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

36. Prenatal Development Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
It is vital that a pregnant woman receives proper prenatal care, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.
prenatal
Before birth.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

37. Prenatal Development Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Maternal Health Before Birth
Proper prenatal care is essential.
Prenatal Drug Use
Abusing alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and drugs while pregnant may hurt an infant’s development.
The Birth Process
Most births are routine and predictable, but some involve complications and may require a cesarean section.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

38. Prenatal Development Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
If a baby enters the birth canal in the wrong position, a cesarean section may be necessary to deliver the baby.
cesarean section
A surgical procedure for delivering a baby via a cut in the mother’s abdomen.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

39. Health and Nutrition Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Children grow and develop properly if they are provided with basic health care and proper nutrition.
Illness or injury slows growth and learning.
Early educators play an important role in providing proper nutrition and by providing information on agencies that support children’s health care.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

40. Responsive Care and Nurturing
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Responsive Care and Nurturing
Care providers must respond to children’s basic needs for comfort, love, and assistance.
Developing routines help nurture a child’s overall development.
Child care professionals should make it a priority to become familiar with the backgrounds and cultural beliefs of the families and children they serve.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

41. Children at Risk Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Children at risk have a greater chance of developmental delays. Early educators should watch for at-risk indicators in all developmental areas:
Physical
Intellectual
Emotional
Social
Environmental
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

42. Intervention and Prevention
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Intervention and Prevention
It is the professional responsibility of early educators to help the parents of an at-risk child understand the problem and seek intervention services.
intervention services
Resources and specialized help for at-risk children and their families.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

43. Intervention and Prevention
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Intervention and Prevention
Child care professionals must observe children for signs of slow development.
If ignored, developmental problems can become more serious and interfere with a child’s life.
Intervention services can help reduce or eliminate risks for children.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

44. Intervention and Prevention
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Intervention and Prevention
Parent Education
formal classes
support groups
libraries
Support Services
hospitals
health departments
schools
social service agencies
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

45. Intervention and Prevention
Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Intervention and Prevention
Child care professionals can support families by providing a referral for a resource or service.
referral
Sending a family that needs assistance to a support service or resource. 45
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles 45

46. Review Key Concepts Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Describe the four areas of child development.
Physical—body capabilities and growth.
Intellectual—thinking, communicating, solving problems.
Emotional—form feelings about self and others.
Social—interacting with others.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

47. Review Key Concepts Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Identify the main principles of child development.
Development follows a similar pattern for each child.
Development rate depends on the individual.
Development is sequential.
Development is interrelated.
Development is a lifelong process.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

48. Review Key Concepts Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Explain the influences of environment and heredity on development.
Environment (the people, culture, and physical and social surroundings) influences a person throughout his or her life.
Heredity influences how a person will look as well as physical, intellectual, emotional, and social strengths and weaknesses.
Child Care Today, Chapter 4: Child Development Principles

49. Review Key Concepts Chapter 4: Child Development Principles
Describe potential characteristics of children at risk.
poor overall health
inability to listen or concentrate
delayed language
behavior problems
depression
toileting problems
isolation
lack of security
signs of neglect or abuse
exposure to violence.
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50. Chapter 4 Child Development Principles
End of
Chapter 4 Child Development Principles