Understanding Child Development, its nature, scope, and significance of studying it as a discipline

Understanding Child Development, its nature, scope, and significance of studying it as a discipline

Q.1 Introduction to Child Development

Have you wondered how you grow up?

How did you and those around you learn to use words to communicate? How did you learn to walk?

At what age did you learn to climb the stairs?

Well!! the answer to these type of questions will be evident when you study the subject of Child Development and an infant?

Can you identify and list some changes and differences between yourself, a school going child

We will focus on the changes that take place in humans as we mature from birth to about age 19.

A child progresses from dependency on their parents/guardians to increasing independence. A child's development is strongly influenced by genetic factors (genes passed on from the parents) and events during prenatal life. It is also influenced by environmental factors and the child's capacity to grasp and learn.

What does Child Development include?

Child Development covers a wide range of skills that a child masters over his/her life span. These relate to different areas:

Physical growth and development of various parts of the body. Motor skills Fine motor skills and gross motor skills.

Sensory-Awareness of information through various senses.

Cognition The ability to learn remember and solve problems.

Speech and Language Understanding and using language, reading and communication

Social interaction and emotions Interacting with others and self management.

 

1.1 Meaning, Definition, Objectives and Scope of Child Development

1) Meaning and Definition of Child Development

Human growth and development is a continuous and lifelong process. There are constant changes in the individual from conception to old age. Development begins at the time of conception and continues till death. The field of Human Development is a scientific study of these changes. According to Laura Berk, "Child Development is a field of study devoted to understanding human constancy and change from conception through adolescence. Child Development is a part of a larger discipline known as Developmental Psychology, or in its interdisciplinary sense, Human Development, which includes all changes throughout the life span,"

Child Development is a specialized area of study which is an integral part of Human Development. It concerns itself with growth and development of the child right from the moment of conception to adolescence.

2) Objectives of Child Development

The first eight years of life are known as the foundation age. It lays the foundation for behaviour patterns, attitudes and personality. As the need to study children arose, this evolved as a separate subject of Child Development. The objectives of studying child development are as follows:

a)     To study overall development of children:

To know and understand how children develop. The students will learn the developmental patterns, developmental norms, aspects of development, needs of children and children's rights.

b) To become acquainted with developmental stages from birth to adolescent years: The students will know the different developmental stages such as prenatal, infancy, early.