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Child Development

Childhood

Understanding Child Development

The speedy physical and psychological changes that children undergo from birth through adolescence often leave parents and caregivers wondering how best to engage and help them. The process of child development includes everything from sensory awareness and fine motor skills to language and socialization. The progress of development is strongly influenced by a child's genetic makeup, environment, and cognitive skills.

Parents and medical professionals frequently use developmental milestones, such as when a child learns to speak or read, to track that child’s growth relative to their peers. These milestones can in some cases help identify any learning disabilities or behavioral problems a child may have, so that they can be addressed early, but it is important to note that these benchmarks may have no bearing on a child's ultimate capabilities.

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Ages and Stages of Childhood

Children have varying physical and emotional needs, depending on their age, personality, and developmental stage. Decades of research in developmental psychology, pediatrics, and neuroscience have converged on the fact that the first five years are especially critical to a child's outcome.

As a child matures, they go through phases during which they explore their environment, learn verbal and reasoning skills, socialize with others, and, eventually, assert independence from their family. Research explores how parents and caregivers can manage a child's expectations, and their own, and nurture the best qualities in children.

Over the past several decades, the age of puberty has been dropping, putting an increasingly early end to childhood. Both genetic and environmental factors influence the onset of puberty, and observers believe that pubertal timing may to some degree represent an assessment of childhood and that the acceleration of puberty may be a measure of the stresses a child has experienced.

CONNECTED TOPICS

Adolescence, ADHD, Parenting, Education

Essential Reads

How to Talk to Teens & Young Adults About Social Distancing

By Michelle Drouin Ph.D. on March 22, 2020 in Love Online

Before you get in an argument with your teen or young adult about social distancing, you may want to read this.

Before you get in an argument with your teen or young adult about social distancing, you may want to read this.

Coronavirus School Closures: An Educational Opportunity

By Peter Gray Ph.D. on March 19, 2020 in Freedom to Learn

The closures of schools and organized after-school activities provide children and families with new opportunities for freedom and self-direction. Here are some suggestions.

The closures of schools and organized after-school activities provide children and families with new opportunities for freedom and self-direction. Here are some suggestions.

Managing Child and Teen Stress During School Closings

By David Krauss Ph.D. on March 14, 2020 in Atypical Children – Extraordinary Parenting

Here are some out-of-the-box suggestions for soothing stress.

Here are some out-of-the-box suggestions for soothing stress.

Parenting During COVID-19

By Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on March 12, 2020 in Little House Calls

How do we parent during this difficult time? Here's a set of short and sweet pragmatic tips.

How do we parent during this difficult time? Here's a set of short and sweet pragmatic tips.

Recent Posts

Why Are Some Teens So Much Better At Coping With Stress?

By Robyn Koslowitz Ph.D. on March 30, 2020 in Targeted Parenting

Do you want to ensure healthy emotional coping during the teenage years? Decades of research support using emotion socialization techniques. Here's how:

Do you want to ensure healthy emotional coping during the teenage years? Decades of research support using emotion socialization techniques. Here's how:

Building a Focused Person from Childhood to Adult

By Benjamin Cheyette, M.D., and Sarah Cheyette M.D. on March 29, 2020 in 1-2-3-ADHD

What are the most important parenting techniques for ADHD? Here are a few simple concepts that we wish all parents of ADHD kids could know.

What are the most important parenting techniques for ADHD? Here are a few simple concepts that we wish all parents of ADHD kids could know.

Kids Stuck at Home? Tips for Improving Home School Learning

By Arthur P. Shimamura Ph.D. on March 29, 2020 in In the Brain of the Beholder

Plant the seeds of knowledge in your child.

Plant the seeds of knowledge in your child.

Co-Parenting and the Coronavirus

By Michele Weiner-Davis LCSW on March 29, 2020 in Divorce Busting

What divorced and separated parents can do to bridge their differences during the COVID-19 crisis.

What divorced and separated parents can do to bridge their differences during the COVID-19 crisis.

How Being Your Sister’s Keeper Is in Your Self-Interest

By Dona Matthews Ph.D. on March 29, 2020 in Going Beyond Intelligence

We're self-isolating now to keep our communities safe. When it's over, perhaps we'll do what we can to ensure the health and happiness of each of our youngest sisters and brothers.

We're self-isolating now to keep our communities safe. When it's over, perhaps we'll do what we can to ensure the health and happiness of each of our youngest sisters and brothers.

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Transform Your Kid's Screen Time

Screen Time Is the Symptom

How Much Is Too Much?

Does Your Child Have a Problem?

Invasion of the Mechabots

Can Science Inform You About What You Should Do?

By Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on March 29, 2020 in Moral Landscapes

How do we determine our moral responsibilities in light of scientific facts? How do we get from facts to values and back?

How do we determine our moral responsibilities in light of scientific facts? How do we get from facts to values and back?

"Get Me My Orange Juice!"

By Claire Lerner LCSW-C on March 29, 2020 in Zero to Six

Covid-19 means a lot of change and loss of control for kids. When they feel out of control on the inside, they can become controlling and demanding on the outside. Here's what to do.

Covid-19 means a lot of change and loss of control for kids. When they feel out of control on the inside, they can become controlling and demanding on the outside. Here's what to do.

Parenting a Kid with ADHD: Managing Home School

By Erlanger A. Turner Ph.D. on March 28, 2020 in The Race to Good Health

ADHD is a common childhood disorder, and parents may experience some challenges helping their child complete schoolwork. Here are some tips that may help.

ADHD is a common childhood disorder, and parents may experience some challenges helping their child complete schoolwork. Here are some tips that may help.

5 Parenting Mistakes I've Made in the Past Week

By Rebecca Schrag Hershberg Ph.D. on March 28, 2020 in Little House Calls

We need to be open about our struggles right now. In vulnerability there is connection, and it's the connection that is going to get us through.

We need to be open about our struggles right now. In vulnerability there is connection, and it's the connection that is going to get us through.

Many Teenagers May Be Ignoring Coronavirus Safety Measures

By David Schwartz LMFT on March 28, 2020 in Adolescents, Explained

Teenagers may not understand the full threat of COVID-19. Making sure they know the importance of taking proper safety precautions can help protect your family and community.

Teenagers may not understand the full threat of COVID-19. Making sure they know the importance of taking proper safety precautions can help protect your family and community.

Meet Psychology Today's Bloggers on Child Development

Michelle Drouin, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at Purdue University Fort Wayne and Senior Research Scientist at Parkview's Mirro Center for Research and Innovation.

Peter Gray, Ph.D., is a research professor at Boston College, author of Free to Learn and the textbook Psychology (now in 8th edition), president of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education, and founding member of Let Grow. He has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, education, and anthropology.  

David Krauss, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who has been working for over 25 years with neuro-developmentally atypical children, adolescents and young adults along with their parents and families.

Rebecca Schrag Hershberg, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, parenting coach, and author of The Tantrum Survival Guide: Tune In to Your Toddler’s Mind (and Your Own) to Calm the Craziness and Make Family Fun Again.