Early Childhood

Physical Development Milestones

One example of a physical milestone that a typically
developing child should display during the period of early
childhood would be the ability to walk downstairs,
alternating feet (Berk, 2013). Children grow and change in
a
more or less predictable way. Mossler (2011) describes
growth as going from head to tail, a cephalcaudal direction
and from the inside out, a proximodistal pattern. A child
first must learn how to control its body by developing
connections in the brain. As these connections strengthen movements become more fluid.
Another example of a physical milestone of early childhood would be the ability to
draw a picture of a man and copy a triangle perfectly and can color pictures carefully. The
fingers and hands have matured to be able to hold a writing utensil and manipulate it with
skill. This proficiency has been in development since birth. From the palmar grasp reflex to
picking up cheerios. The ability to manipulate writing utensils in this fashion will help in later
childhood when writing becomes an everyday function.

Language Development Milestones

A language development milestone reached in early childhood is a better
pronunciation of words. Words are the means for communication between most individuals.
This increase in pronunciation allows strangers to understand more clearly the words and
sentences being formed (Piper, 2012). Along with being able to be better understood, children
also exhibit an increased understanding of other words and actions around them. This leads to
the next example of language development.
Storytelling is an interesting phase of a childs development. Piper (2012) says that
storytelling begin around the age of three and, Around the age of 5, a rudimentary plot
structure begins to appear, and by age 6 or 7, children begin to acquire the linguistic devices
for carrying the plot forward (p. 7.3). Children tell stories of things that are true and of
things that are false. Storytelling offers children a chance to express themselves and explore
their linguistic skills. It also allows them to observe how their words influence others.

Cognitive Development Milestones

The feat of categorization becomes easier throughout early childhood. Berk (2013)
elaborates, By the beginning of early childhood, childrens categories include objects that go
together because of their common function, behavior, and natural kind (animate versus
inanimate), despite varying widely in perceptual features (p. 247). It is interesting to listen
to children describe objects that are similar and different. Each child has their own way of
understanding an animal or a collection of rocks. As children examine the world around them
they make connections and sort these connections based on their individual thought
processes.

Another interesting part

childhood is the concept of
representation describes a
symbolic object is an object in
representation. Berk (2013)
were shown a small scale model
hidden. A similar object was
represented by the scale model.
the object based on the scale
not until children reached three
find the object hidden in the

of cognitive development during early

dual-representation. Dualchilds ability to understand that a
the real world as well as a
describes an exercise in which children
of a room, where an object was
then hidden in the life size room being
The children were then asked to find
representation of the scenario. It was
years of age that they were able to
life size room.

Social-Emotional Milestones
Early childhood brings about thoughts and feelings
that relate how ones sees themselves in comparison to
others. Preschoolers will often introduce themselves by
name and by something about themselves. This could
include their age, something they have or have done. As
they get closer to entering formal schooling they become
more aware of their own personality and the traits they
do or do not possess. An example, would be a six year old
explaining that they are shy around other people (Berk,
2013).
Berk (2013) explains that children in early childhood are beginning to conform to
emotional display rules found in their environments. For example, a child may feel uneasy
about a situation but displays a positive emotional state so that others do not pick up on their
true feelings. This ability is also displayed during pretend play. Children take on different
roles of a father or mother and display a more direct and firm type of demeanor. As they
enter into new play groups they may begin as feeling timid but quickly begin to understand
how the group is feeling and changes their own behavior to match that of the others.

Moral Reasoning/Self-Regulation Milestones

Children entering into early childhood have an increased understanding of their
emotions and how to control them. The easily overwhelmed infant has become a young child
capable of, restricting sensory input that may be too scary or noisy. Children at this stage of
their development are also increasing capable of regulating their emotions toward others.
During conflicts children choose not to play in that area anymore. When encountering issues
independently children can often be heard talking themselves through the process of dealing
with the problem (Berk, 2013).
Understanding and respecting authority figures comes with an increase in moral
development. Children at the end of the early childhood period are accepting the moral
norms being displayed in their environment (Berk, 2013). For example, a teacher is seen as an
educator, classroom problem solver, and someone a child can go to for comfort. Children with
typical moral development are able to follow the directions of their caregivers, even though

they may not agree with what they are being told. This is due to their understanding that
authority figures are to be respected.

Social Factors Influencing Development

There are many social factors that influence this stage of development. One factor
could be the deeper understanding of the self and how a child is similar or different than that
of others around them. At this age self-esteem is based on achievements made by the child. A
social environment that supports the child through their successes and failures helps the child
develop positive self-esteem. In contrast, children growing up in a social environment that did
not encourage and respect one another, the child may develop a negative self-esteem.

Cultural Factors Influencing Development

Autonomy is a big predictor in the establishment of self-concept. Some cultures stress
the importance of independence while others are wary of how much freedom a child should
have. This difference is seen from family to family. These differences can be seen in the topic
of co-sleeping. In many cultures co-sleeping is not only accepted but it is the norm. For others
there is worry of SIDS and that children will not learn to sleep and be independently.

Signs of Atypical Development

A signal that a child is developing in an atypical way could be if they were not able to
count correctly or understand the meaning of numbers up to ten. Children in early childhood
begin to use number concepts to develop strategies for addition and subtraction (Berk, 2013).
Children have differing abilities regarding number concepts based on their experiences. A
child having trouble connecting one number to one object at this stage of development
requires attention. The child may just need more practice working with numbers or a learning
disability may be the cause.
Another sign of atypical development would be a childs inability to use language to
communicate with others. During early childhood children should know over one thousand
words. They should also be able to communicate those words, whether verbal or sign, with
increasing skill. Children should also be able to combine these words into sentences that
accumulate into stories that follow a chronologically correct order. A child who is not able to
communicate clearly at this stage may need additional help in their language development.

Strategies for Families

Families can help children of this age by preparing them for what is coming next.
There are many concepts that children are expected to understand by the time they enter
kindergarten. It is also important that children have an appropriate amount of time and space
to figure things out. Family members need to understand that children learn at their own
pace and in their own way. Providing diverse activities and experiences for children will help
them grow and develop deep understandings and connections to the world around them. Two
activities that would aid a child in the early childhood stage could be practice using writing
utensils with the correct hold and beginning to recognize and write letters.