INTRODUCTION TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT

BASIC CONCEPTS
OF CHILD
DEVELOPMENT
Christy O. Rasgo, RN, Maed, Man
 OBJECTIVES
1 To know the meaning, nature and
scope of child development

2 To understand its importance as an

educator

3 To identify ways on how to support

child development
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
What To Expect?

Child Development is a technical laboratory course that

addresses knowledge and skills related to child growth and
development from prenatal through school-age children,
equipping students with child development skills. Students
use these skills to promote the well-being and healthy
development of children and investigate careers related to
the care and education of children.
MEANING
AND
NATURE
HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT
Refers to the biological and
The scientific study of
psychological development of the
psychological human
human being throughout the lifespan.
Consists of the development from development is
infancy, childhood, and adolescence sometimes known as
to adulthood. Developmental
A lifelong process psychology.
 GROWTH VS DEVELOPMENT
What is the difference?
1

NIGHTMARE AN INCREASE IN SIZE, LENGTH, HEIGHT AND

WEIGHT OR CHANGES IN QUANTITATIVE ASPECT
OF AN ORGANISM/INDIVIDUAL
GROWTH
BAD DREAM
SCARY

HURLOCK HAS DEFINED GROWTH AS "CHANGE

SLUMBER IN SIZE, IN PROPORTION, DISAPPEARANCE OF
WAKE
OLD FEATURES AND ACQUISITION OF NEW ONES
SLEEP
 GROWTH VS DEVELOPMENT
What is the difference?
2

NIGHTMARE
A SERIES OF ORDERLY PROGRESS TOWARDS
MATURITY. IT IMPLIES OVERALL QUALITATIVE
DEVELOPMENT
BAD DREAM
SCARY
CHANGES RESULTING IN THE IMPROVED
SLUMBER
FUNCTIONING OF AN INDIVIDUAL.
WAKE
SLEEP
 GROWTH
Growth refers to physiological changes.
GROWTH VS Growth is one of the parts of developmental
DEVELOPMENT process.
Changes take place in particular aspect of the body
and behavior.

According to Crow and Crow

(1965) development is
concerned with growth as
well as those changes in
behavior which results from
DEVELOPMENT
environmental situation.
Development refers to overall changes in the individual. It
involves changes in an orderly and coherent type towards
the goal of maturity.
Development is a wider term and growth is one of its parts.
Changes in the organism as a whole.
 GROWTH
Growth stops once maturity is attained.
GROWTH VS Changes may be measured. As in case of height or
DEVELOPMENT weight.
Changes in the quantitative respect is termed as
growth.

According to Crow and Crow

(1965) development is
concerned with growth as
well as those changes in
behavior which results from
DEVELOPMENT
environmental situation.
Development is a continue process: from womb to
tomb.
Can't be always measured.
Development changes in the quality along with
quantitative aspect.
 GROWTH
GROWTH VS Growth occurs due to the multiplication of
DEVELOPMENT cells.
Not affected by leaning
May or may not bring development

According to Crow and Crow

(1965) development is
concerned with growth as
well as those changes in
behavior which results from
DEVELOPMENT
environmental situation.
Development occurs due to both maturation
and interaction with the environment.
Learning and experience effects
development
Development is also possible without growth.
WHAT
IS CHILD
DEVELOPMENT?
 CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Refers to the process through which human beings

typically grow and mature from infancy through
adulthood.

Focuses on the changes that take place in humans

as they mature from birth to about age 17.

During this process a child progresses from

dependency on their parents/guardians to
increasing independence.
HEALTHY
DEVELOPMENT
Children of all abilities, including
those with special health care
needs, are able to grow up where
their social, emotional and
educational needs are met.
UNDERSTANDING
NATURE AND
NURTURE Blank slate or all in the genes?

A number of factors affect the course and

progression of child development within a
given individual.
UNDERSTANDING
NATURE AND
NURTURE
Child development is strongly influenced by genetic
factors (genes passed on from their parents) and events
during prenatal life.
It is also influenced by environmental facts and the child’s
learning capacity.
These include the innate or the biological makeup of the
child themself and external influences such as family,
society, economics, health and culture.
UNDERSTANDING
NATURE AND NURTURE

NATURE
Nature and
nurture both play NURTURE
a role. Children will

also seek out Nurture refers to various
Nature refers to the environments that environmental factors that
hereditary factors or the suit their genetic impact our personality
genes of a child, which not background. This traits, our childhood
only defines a child’s process is known experiences, how and
physical appearance but as active gene– where the child is raised,
also helps in building a environment social relationships, and
child’s personality traits. correlation. culture.

 The first five years is when your child develops the

most. This means that your child’s relationships,
WHY DOES IT nutrition, environment and playtime have an
MATTER? important role now and in the future.

Their relationships with family, teachers, carers,

and other kids can all help shape development.
Healthy eating, movement and physical activity,
overall health, all have a role in early childhood
development.

Each of these factors are as important as the

other. They are all connected, working together to
help your child grow, develop and learn.

HEALTHY
DEVELOPMENT
Children of all abilities, including
those with special health care
needs, are able to grow up where
their social, emotional and
educational needs are met.
WHAT DOES
CHILD
DEVELOPMENT
INCLUDE?
 Child development covers the full scope of skills that a child
masters over their life span including development in:
1 2 3

4 5
SOCIAL
COGNITION/COG SPEECH AND SENSORY
INTERACTION
NITIVE LANGUAGE PHYSICAL SKILLS AWARENESS
AND EMOTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT

REGULATION/DEV


FINE MOTOR THE
ELOPMENT
THE ABILITY TO UNDERSTANDING (FINGER) SKILLS REGISTRATION OF

LEARN AND AND USING AND GROSS SENSORY

INTERACTING
PROBLEM SOLVE LANGUAGE, MOTOR (WHOLE INFORMATION
WITH OTHERS AND

READING AND BODY) SKILLS FOR USE
MASTERING SELF-

COMMUNICATING

CONTROL

As the brain develops physically, so intellectual abilities increase.

 PURPOSE
As a health worker it is important to have some
understanding of this process of children's
development. This will enable you to assess
whether or not a child is developing appropriately,
to understand what they are and are not capable
of doing, and to respond to each child's needs and
rights more effectively.

All kids grow and develop at their own pace.

IMPORTANCE OF CHILD
DEVELOPMENT IN
TEACHING AND A solid understanding
of milestones and
LEARNING developmental
pathways across each
domain of children’s
development can
benefit child care
providers in several
ways.
National Association for the Education of Young Children explains:

Knowledge of how children within a given age span typically develop and learn
provides a general framework to guide teachers in preparing the learning
environment, considering curriculum, designing learning experiences, and
teaching and interacting with children. Also important for educators to know
are the sequences in which children gain specific concepts, skills, and abilities,
building on prior development and learning…. Familiarity with known learning
sequences should inform curriculum development and teaching practice.” –
Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving
Children Birth to Age 8, NAEYC Position Statement (2009)
BENEFIT #1
Knowledge of child development and learning
provides the best foundation for planning for a
group of children.

Plans based on typical child development and learning

meet the needs of the majority of children, but the
provider then makes changes to accommodate individual
children who may be ahead or behind.
BENEFIT #2
Knowledge of child development and learning
provides the best starting point for planning for a
new child.

It’s helpful to start by assuming the child will benefit from

experiences and environments planned for typically
developing children of his or her age.
BENEFIT #3
Knowledge of child development and learning helps
to plan next steps for supporting children’s
progress.

Knowledge of the sequence of knowledge or skill

development in any given area helps providers set
achievable, appropriate learning goals for children. It also
helps providers plan activities and experiences.
BENEFIT #4
Knowledge of child development and learning
enables providers to create curriculum and
environment that aligns to state
standards/guidelines for early childhood programs.

Standards can be an excellent source of developmental

progressions and milestones for all areas of child
development.
BENEFIT #5
Knowledge of child development and learning helps
providers feel confident that their professional
practice has a solid basis that aligns with the larger
child care professional community.

Child care providers can feel confident about their

practice. They also have a solid foundation when they
explain their decisions and practices to parents and
colleagues.
 KNOW THE WHY Early childhood development is a
period of great opportunity, but also
Good early childhood development will have a direct one of great vulnerability.
1
positive impact on a child’s long-term health
outcomes and will improve future opportunities,
school attainment and even earning potential.

2 It is vital for their future confidence, communication, Investment in child development

relationships, community inclusion and mental
health
Adverse effects to child development in the first
3
years of life can have life-long consequences and
negative effects.
4 Observing and monitoring child development is an
important tool to ensure that children meet their
‘developmental milestones’.
policies and programmes will result in
long-term returns, as children with
adequate support in their early years
are healthier, better educated and
more likely to contribute to society
and the global economy.
 FOR EDUCATORS

Development and learning are dynamic processes that reflect the complex
interplay between a child’s biological characteristics and the environment,
each shaping the other as well as future patterns of growth.

All domains of child development are important; each domain both

supports and is supported by the others.

Children are active learners from birth, constantly taking in and organizing
information to create meaning through their relationships, their interactions
with their environment, and their overall experiences.
 FOR EDUCATORS

Children’s motivation to learn is increased when their learning environment

fosters their sense of belonging, purpose, and agency. Curricula and
teaching methods build on each child’s assets by connecting their
experiences in the school or learning environment to their home and
community settings.

Children learn in an integrated fashion that cuts across academic

disciplines or subject areas. Because the foundations of subject area
knowledge are established in early childhood, educators need subject-area
knowledge, an understanding of the learning progressions within each
subject area, and pedagogical knowledge about teaching each subject
area’s content effectively.
SURVIVE, THRIVE,
TRANSFORM It is no longer enough for a child
to simply survive, children have
the right to thrive.

When children are supported to thrive, we

can see long-term, transformational change
across our global society, as they are better
educated, less poor and so on.
 HOW DO WE SUPPORT HEALTHY
CHILD DEVELOPMENT?
The World Health Organisation’s Nurturing Care Framework11 asks that parents
monitor and promote child development by focusing on five key areas:

1 2 3 4 5

OPPORTUNITIES
ADEQUATE RESPONSIVE SECURITY AND
GOOD HEALTH FOR EARLY
NUTRITION CAREGIVING SAFETY
LEARNING
 TO END:
“Commitment to early childhood
development can be the catalyst to enable
children to thrive, and thereby transform
health and human potential” – World Health
Organisation: Survive, Thrive, Transform

Thank you for listening!