What is Child Development?
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Child development refers to the process of mental, physical and psychological changes that occur in a child as he or she ages. It is a subject of considerable study and consistent advancement by medical and psychological professionals. Child development is not an exact science — some children may grow at different rates than others — but can serve as a guideline for normal developmental steps. The study of child development is usually limited to subjects between infancy and late adolescence.
The physical processes that occur to take a child from birth to adulthood are quite tremendous. At birth, children are almost entirely helpless, while by adulthood a child may grow to more than five times its original height and more than 20 times his or her birth weight. Some childhood development studies are geared toward understanding the rate, order, and level of variation in the physical changes that occur during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. While this area includes the study of weight and height changes, it also involves sexual development and musculature changes. The study of physical development also seeks to understand ailments and injuries that can affect development, their causes and any potential cures.
Mental and psychological development are another major source of research and study in the field. Mental development may refer to changes in intellect and memory ability, as well as the development of motor skills such as speech and hand-eye coordination. Psychological development focuses on the types of emotional and social growth that occur during this critical period of life.
The study of child development is associated with many other areas of medical and mental health research. Developmental issues can arise from a variety of sources, including genetic disposition, injury, childhood illness, birth trauma, physical or mental trauma during childhood, and chemical imbalances in the brain. With these widespread emphases, child development researchers may have varied medical and mental health backgrounds that enable them to specialize in the treatment or research of a particular set of issues.
Parents often study childhood development materials in order to get a sense of their child's position on a developmental scale. While it is important to remember that few children match the average scale of physical, mental, or psychological growth exactly, understanding the basic age ranges for development can help identify a possible developmental disability. There are many textbooks and guides available at bookstores and through online merchants that can help a parent prepare for the long road associated with raising a child to adulthood.
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a writer.
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a writer.
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![Child development is concerned with why some children grow at different rates than others.]()
By: Roman GorielovChild development is concerned with why some children grow at different rates than others. -
![Some child development research focuses on understanding the physical changes that affect toddlers and children over the years.]()
By: Tom WangSome child development research focuses on understanding the physical changes that affect toddlers and children over the years. -
![Some children develop intellectually faster than others.]()
By: alphaspiritSome children develop intellectually faster than others. -
![Research on child development typically focuses on the years from birth to late adolescence.]()
By: karelnoppeResearch on child development typically focuses on the years from birth to late adolescence. -
![Child development can serve as a guideline for normal developmental steps.]()
By: RobChild development can serve as a guideline for normal developmental steps. -
![Children can develop important social skills through participation in team sports.]()
By: ActionpicsChildren can develop important social skills through participation in team sports.
Discussion Comments
While child development books might provide some insight into how your child is doing, and certainly some of the physical milestones are pretty well mapped against a bell curve, you shouldn't rely on them. Normal child development is so individual, and as far as I know they have yet to really pin down a true chart of what happens when.
Mostly it is educated guesses, and some of the science used in those books is decades old and has been disproved. Definitely research a lot if you are worried, or if nothing seems amiss with your child, stop worrying altogether. There's no point in tracking every single change and comparing it to other children. Your baby will grow up at his or her own pace.
The child development milestone I've always found fascinating is when they get a "theory of mind".
I'm not sure I completely understand it, but from what I've read, up until around three years old, children don't realize that you don't know everything that they know. They think everything that they know just exists for everyone.
They are incapable of lying, simply because they don't understand that things can be hidden, but still exist outside their sight or knowledge, or that things can exist outside another person's knowledge. I guess, they don't understand the imaginary.
This is why they are so happy to play peek a boo for hours on end as well.
To them, out of sight is literally out of mind.
I just find it so interesting that something we take entirely for granted actually has to develop in a child's mind, which means that it's possible it might never develop in some children.
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