Fundamentals of development from infancy to childhood
Physical Development from Infancy to Childhood
- Birth to 1 year: Babies undergo rapid physical growth including motor skills like grasping, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and possibly walking.
- 1 to 3 years: Toddlers develop gross motor skills such as walking unaided, running and climbing. Fine motor skills are also developed, including stacking blocks and holding a crayon.
- 3 to 5 years: Preschoolers refine their fine motor skills, learn to ride tricycles, jump on one foot, and develop more control while drawing.
Cognitive Development from Infancy to Childhood
- Birth to 1 year: Babies learn through their senses through a stage called sensorimotor development. They recognise voices, familiar faces, and start to understand cause-and-effect relationships.
- 1 to 3 years: Toddlers start to understand language and forms simple sentences. They recognise routines and can follow simple directions.
- 3 to 5 years: Preschoolers have a more advanced use of language, and their logical thinking and memory improves. They can sort objects by various characteristics and understand the difference between past, present, and future.
Socio-emotional Development from Infancy to Childhood
- Birth to 1 year: Babies form attachments to parents or primary caregivers, express various emotions, and show preference for people and toys.
- 1 to 3 years: Toddlers develop a sense of self, and emotions can affect their behaviour. They begin to understand sharing and taking turns, though struggles over possessions can occur.
- 3 to 5 years: Preschoolers develop friendships, and their sense of empathy increases. They seek approval from others and begin to understand rules and norms.
Communication and Language Development from Infancy to Childhood
- Birth to 1 year: Babies communicate through crying, babbling, and simple gestures. They eventually start to understand verbal communication from parents and caregivers.
- 1 to 3 years: Toddlers' vocabulary expands significantly, and they begin to form simple sentences. They communicate their needs and wishes more clearly.
- 3 to 5 years: Preschoolers' speech becomes clearer and their vocabulary expands further. They can narrate simple stories and use language to interact with peers.
These are the general stages in child development, although it's important to understand that children may develop at different rates and this is perfectly normal. A child’s development can be influenced by factors such as genetics, environment, culture, and the amount and quality of stimulation they receive.