Child development is a term that refers to the psychological, emotional and biological changes that usually take place in human beings between the ages of birth and at the end of adolescence. Child development is a continuous process which has predictable sequence but at the same time having a unique perspective in every child. The process of child development does not take place at the same rate on all children. Each step in the development of the children is marked by different traits and must all always be preceded by the previous development. The process of child development is heavily influenced by factors such as events on a child’s prenatal phase and more than likely the genetic related factors (Luther & Ciciolla, 2016).
Child development is also referred to a developmental psychology to signify the development throughout a lifetime. The term developmental change is often associated with genetically controlled events and processes such as growth and maturation. This particular processes are influenced, according to research by factors some outside the body such as environmental factors and the processes of learning and acquiring knowledge. Child development is most often influenced by interaction of the two factors according to a survey carried out by Raising Children Network.
As mentioned previously development is simply changes in a child’s physical growth, coupled with the ability to learn the emotional, social, behavioral, critical thinking and communication skills. All these areas are linked and each of these developmental changes depend and influence everything else that is involved or is part of a child’ development. According to studies during the first five years of your child’s life the brain develops faster than at any other time in the process of growth and development. The studies continue to note that the early experiences a child has are what lays a foundation for the child’s growth and formulation of behavioral patterns. These experiences include but not limited what is perceived, heard, touched, smelled and what the young child tastes. All this experiences as noted by the study stimulate the brain creating a network of connections that lay the basic blocks of the rest of the developmental changes henceforth (Luther & Ciciolla, 2016).
The studies conducted on this area have conclusively noted that genes and the environment play a significant role towards child development process. Genes are described as the blueprint or the main building block for a child’s development. They carry the information about physical appearance, the likely behavioral characteristics, the mental and physical health and more of such kind of information. This information is usually inherited and passed down from the mother or the father. The environment on the other hand is categorized as the experiences a child has from the family, from school and the wider society as a whole. The environment influences some of the most basic parts a child development cycle. It impacts things like language, independence, emotional and psychological traits and the social aspect of growth.
Creating formidable relationships in children is a major part of a child’s development. Relationships according to studies affect all stages and areas of their development from infancy to adolescent through to adulthood. The reason why relationship is described as a basic influencing factor in a child development is because they are outcomes of experiences in which makes a child development. The studies show or rather explain relationship as the most important child development experience gathered from the environment. Relationship teach children the most about the environment they find themselves. Relationship shape how a child through the development process perceive their surroundings (Luther & Ciciolla, 2016).
Playing is also described as main way in which children learn and develop. Research indicates that play is first a fun activity that not only gives a child the opportunity to explore but also observe, solve challenges experienced in the play, experiment and learn making better decisions from taking lesson about his/her shortcomings. When a child spends a considerable amount of time engaging in playful activities, talking, listening and socializing with others it helps the child develop and gain important skills such as communication, creating solutions and how to deal with people and the environment in general.
Studies conducted by different child development agencies have placed developmental stages into four categories. The first is cognitive development, this is described as the ability to gain knowledge and create solutions to problems faced with. For an infant it is understanding the surrounding using their hands and eyes, while slightly older children between ages 5 and 7 it could mean learning basic arithmetic such as how to add or multiply numbers.
The second developmental stage is social and emotional development. This is marked by the child’s ability to socialize with other children. It includes being able to be independent and having a sense of self-esteem. For an infant this could mean learning how make a smiley face while for an adolescent it could mean something like leading or being in an organizing position in school or in the neighborhood.
The third developmental stage is language and speech development. This stage is noted by a child’s ability in equal measure to understand and use language. As an infant saying the first words is considered as a speech development milestone. While for an adolescent learning how to make and use language in correct inference is considered as a development milestone.
The fourth development stage is the physical development. This phase of development is normally broken into two distinct phases. Making small muscles movements in infants is referred as development of motor skills.
This development stages are progressive and build one upon the other. Children advance through this stages at their own different pace. This stages are important and every parent should observe their children to ensure that they grow and achieve these milestones. Research has indicated that many of the experiences a child goes through are what mark a child development stages.
References
Luthar, S. S., & Ciciolla, L. (2016). What it feels like to be a mother: Variations by children’s developmental stages. Developmental Psychology, 52(1), 143-154. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/dev0000062
