Child Growth and Development"
mental, and emotional growth and development.
The following overview represents time frame averages of normal physical and emotional growth and development. It is important to keep in mind that some children achieve various developmental milestones sooner or later than the average but may still be within the normal range.
Age Physical Emotional Social
0-1 Month Learns basic distinctions Generalized Helpless and
between senses, temp., tension, delight asocial.
and perceptions of pain. and distress.
2-3 Mo. Control of eye muscles, Smiles at familiar
lifts head when on faces and enjoys
stomach, and uses simple cuddling.
reflex activity such as
Grasping and sucking
4-6 Mo. Purposive grasping, Stranger shyness
rolls over, and sits up. and enjoys attention
from others.
7-9 Mo Trunk and hand control, Specific emotional Enjoys sitting alone
sits without support, attachment to alone, playing
crawls about. mother, protests “peek a-boo” and
separation, anger, waves bye.
and affection.
10-12 Mo Stands holding furniture Fear of stranger, Understands “no”
and makes lines on curiosity, and and simple
paper. exploration. commands.
2-3 Years Increased standing alone, Fear of separation, Repeats
jumping, running, building, temper tantrums, words, uses “I”,
and feeds self. and anger “me” and “you”,
expression. copies and resists parents, gives orders, likes to share, rigid in routine, and unable to make decisions.
4-5 years Self-sufficient in many Jealousy of same- Identification of
routines of home life, sex parent and same-sex parent,
mature motor control, imaginary fears of interest in other
and dresses self. dark, monsters, children’s bodies,
and injury. Imaginary friend,
beginning to focus
playing with other
children.
6-8 Years Mature fine motor skills, Begins to learn Increased
enjoys testing strength emotional friendships, best
and speed, and management. friend, wants to play
increased balance. same-sex children,
and shows
increased interest
in rules and rituals.
9-11 years Girls generally as much Fantasizes and Begins to see
as 2 years ahead of boys, daydreams about parents as authority
increased body strength the future, figures, enjoys
and hand dexterity, increased anger being a member of
improved coordination and anxiety control, a club, increased
and reaction time. potential authority interest in
defiance. competitive sports.
Child growth and development is measured in a variety of domains such as the following:
Gross Motor – Large muscle movements such as sitting, crawling, walking and jumping.
Fine Motor – Small muscle movements such as using hands, eyes, tongue and lips.
Self Care – Behaviors that allow them to care for themselves such as eating dressing, toileting, and washing.
Speech and Language – All modes of communication.
Social – Behaviors that are include interpersonal transactions including sharing and cooperating.
Cognitive – Skills associated with learning and adapting behaviors.
Some basic developmental principles include:
- Development is sequential
– One are of development is affected and affects others
– Children have different rates of development
– Developmental delays do not necessarily mean long-term problems
– Development moves from simple to complex
– Development depends on both inborn characteristics and experiences
– Development seems to occur in stages
– Development is a combination of maturation and learning
– Individual children have individual learning styles
Temperament
Temperament is the child’s inborn characteristics. Temperament can include a child’s tendency toward being hyperactive, aggressive, social, shy, attentive, and or adaptable.
The following is a list of some common temperament categories:
- Activity needs
– Approach or withdraw level
– Adaptability
– Attention span
– Distractibility
– Intensity of reaction
– Quality of mood
It is important to remember that temperament is biologically wired into the child.
Mental Health Risks
Environmental Risks
- Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
– Inconsistent or unfamiliar caregivers
– Inconsistent and/or unpredictable care, housing, and/or security
– Primary caregiver mental illness
– Primary caregiver drug and/or alcohol abuse
How can you help?
- Support your child’s temperament instead of blaming them for it
– Practice and role play developmental milestones as much as possible
– Always celebrate your child’s talents