Understanding Child Development: Ages and Stages of Childhood
Understanding Child Development: Ages and Stages of Childhood
Human development is influenced by, but not entirely determined by, our parents and our genes.
Children may have very different personalities, and different strengths and weaknesses, than the
generation that preceded them. Caregivers should pay attention to their children's distinct traits
and the pace of their development, and not assume that the approach to parenting that worked for
their mothers and fathers will be equally successful in their own families. Parents, and the home
environments they create, can also have an important influence on a child's development; in fact,
a child's home environment can affect the ways that certain genetic traits express themselves, or
if they will at all. Caregivers who have a consistent approach, who are warm, and who can give
children a sense of security, generally have the most positive influence on a child's development;
meeting a child's physical and dietary needs are also essential as research finds that childhood
neglect can disrupt development, perhaps even more than abuse does. But parents are far from
the only influencers in a child's life: Siblings, grandparents, neighbors, peers, celebrities, and
policymakers all may contribute to who a young person becomes as well.
Healthy development can be upended by abuse and neglect, which may disrupt cognitive and
language development and socialization and particularly hamper a child's ability to develop trust
or self-esteem, or to form healthy relationships with others. The effects of abuse or neglect often
linger for years, but they alone do not determine a child's future. Many children raised in difficult
environments develop resilience and grow to thrive as adults.
The speedy physical and psychological changes that children undergo from birth
through adolescence can leave parents and caregivers wondering how best to support them. The
process of child development includes everything from sensory awareness and fine motor skills
to language acquisition and socialization. Parents and medical professionals typically rely on
developmental milestones, such as when a child learns to speak or read, to track their growth
relative to their peers. These milestones are important markers but parents must keep in mind
that every child develops at their own pace, and while one may take their first steps earlier than
most, or say their first words later than most, neither is likely to affect their ultimate capabilities.
However, when the benchmarks suggest that a child may be significantly delayed, it is important
to consult a doctor who can identify developmental disorders and begin treatment as early as
possible.
It is widely believed that a child's personality and intelligence are "locked in" by age 3, but there
is no deadline for human social or cognitive development and the brain develops throughout
one's life. But decades of research in developmental psychology, pediatrics,
and neuroscience have converged on the conclusion that the first five years are especially
critical. During these years, children begin to explore their environment, learn verbal and
reasoning skills, socialize with others, and, eventually, take steps toward asserting independence
from their family. Other research has led to expert guidance on how parents and caregivers can
manage a child's expectations, and their own, and nurture their best qualities.
Children have varying physical and emotional needs, depending on their age, personality, and
developmental stage. Over the past several decades, the age of puberty has been dropping for
many young people, bringing an increasingly early end to childhood. Both genetic and
environmental factors influence the onset of puberty, and observers believe that its early onset
may to some degree reflect the stresses a child has experienced.
Infancy
In the first year of life, children are totally dependent on their caregivers and closely bond with
them as they begin to develop personalities and attempt their first steps and first words. Research
suggests that, along with being the stage of life when humans make the greatest cognitive steps,
they are also probably the happiest days of a person’s life.
What are the key milestones of infant development?
Babies make a tremendous amount of progress during their first year, developing the ability to
get to a seated position without help, pulling themselves up to stand, taking steps while holding
onto furniture, and perhaps taking their first independent steps.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of
Pediatrics, infants can also be expected to display most of the following social and cognitive
skills, although each child develops differently and may achieve some milestones earlier or later
than others and still be considered to be experiencing healthy development:
Social Development
Toddlerhood
During toddlerhood, one- and two-year-olds display a range of new skills and personality traits,
and begin to assert themselves by making their first bids for independence, even as they stay
close to their parents or caregivers. They can also be expected to throw tantrums when those bids
are denied.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of
Pediatrics, one- and two-year-olds can also be expected to display most of the following social
and cognitive skills, although each child develops differently and may achieve some milestones
earlier or later than others and still be considered to be experiencing healthy development:
Social Development
Hand things to others as a form of play.
Have temper tantrums.
Display a fear of strangers.
Show affection to familiar people.
Engage in pretend play, like feeding a doll.
Cling to caregivers in new situations.
Point to show things to others.
Explore alone, but with parents or caregivers within sight.
Copy others.
Show excitement to be around other children.
Express defiance, such as when told not to do something.
Play mostly beside other children, but begin to include others in games like chase.
Cognitive Development and Communication Skills