Childhood development represents a decisive stage in the life of a human being. It begins with birth and continues until puberty. During this period, not only external but also internal characteristics change, including, among many other things, the increasing neurological development and interconnection of brain structures.
Child development can be divided into motor, sensory, linguistic, cognitive, emotional and social progress. Each development is characterized by characteristic changes. During motor development, for example, a child first learns to turn around, then to sit, crawl and then walk.
Not all children take these steps at the same time and at similar intervals. Sometimes progress is even preceded by a short-term decline in certain skills. The child’s development can be positively influenced from the outside by challenging and supporting the child in its abilities. Within the framework of the so-called U-examinations of the pediatrician, individual developmental phases as well as the general state of health are assessed by means of suitable tests. In this way, certain developmental disorders can be recognized and treated early on.
Definition
The period of a person’s life from birth to puberty is defined as child development. External and internal characteristics, as well as behavior and thinking are subject to significant changes. They take place in different ways in each child and are shaped by numerous experiences from the environment and surroundings.
Cause
The numerous changes are caused by structural changes and build-up processes in the structures of the brain. Connections and switching points between nerve endings are created, which enable the learning and execution of new skills. This process can be lastingly influenced by impressions and experiences that the child makes in its first years of life.
In each developmental phase there are periods of time in which a child is particularly receptive to presented stimuli and quickly acquires certain skills. If such stimuli are absent or the possibility to perceive them is missing, serious developmental disorders can sometimes occur. In this context, the massage of the baby has a positive effect on the relationship with the respective parents.
- Motor development includes movements and movement sequences, ranging from the first movements for eating to coordination when speaking.
- The training of the sensory organs with which a child perceives its environment and processes impressions is summarized under the term sensory technology. These include not only taste, touch and smell, but also sight and hearing. The acquisition of language is particularly influenced by sufficient hearing ability.
- During social development, a child learns how to build bonds and interact with other people on the basis of a functioning mother-child relationship. A strong parent-child relationship is closely related to positive emotional development. Language acquisition also benefits from this basis.
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