Child development

introduction

Child development is a crucial phase in a person's life. It begins with birth and continues through puberty. During this period, not only external, but also internal characteristics change, which among many other things include the increasing neurological expression and connection of brain structures.

Child development can be divided into motor, sensory, language, cognitive, emotional and social progress. Every development is characterized by characteristic changes. During motor development, for example, a child first learns to turn around, then to sit, crawl, and then to walk. These steps do not occur in every child at the same time and at similar time intervals. Sometimes progress is even preceded by a brief decline in certain skills.

The child's development can be positively influenced from the outside by challenging and supporting the child's abilities.

As part of the so-called U-examinations by the pediatrician, individual development phases and general health are assessed using suitable tests. In this way, certain developmental disorders can be identified and treated at an early stage.

Read more on the subject at: Early Childhood Development

definition

Of the Stage of life of a person from the time of his birth until the puberty is called child development Are defined. External and internal features, just like that behavior and Think are subject to significant changes. They take place in every child in different way and are based on numerous experiences from the environment and the surrounding area sustainably shaped.

root cause

The reasons for the numerous changes are structural remodeling and building processes in the structures of the brain. Links and switching points arise between nerve endings, which enable the learning and implementation of new skills. This process can be sustainably influenced by impressions and experiences that the child has in its first years of life.

In every phase of development there are periods in which a child is particularly receptive to the stimuli presented and quickly acquires certain skills. If such stimuli are absent or if there is no possibility of perceiving them, this can sometimes lead to severe developmental disorders.

• Motor development encompasses movements and sequences of movements that range from the first movements for ingesting food to coordinating when speaking.
• The development of the sensory organs with which a child perceives its surroundings and processes impressions is summarized under the term sensory. In addition to tasting, feeling and smelling, this also includes seeing and hearing. Language acquisition is particularly influenced by adequate hearing.
• During social development, a child learns to bond 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.

In this context, the massage of the baby has a positive effect on the relationship with the respective parents. Please also read our article on this: Baby massage

• Cognitive development is characterized by the learning of mental and intellectual skills. Examples are solving problems and the ability to remember and perceive.

Judgment on child development

Exist in every development phase Milestonesthat about 95% of the children in a similar period of time. You serve one objective assessment of child development and, in the event of non-fulfillment, can draw attention to a possible development delay at an early stage.

For observation and timely detection, the so-called U examinationscarried out by the pediatrician. There are ten examination appointments up to the age of six. The first takes place immediately after the birth, while the following are initially at intervals of months and finally years. The U9 in the sixth year of life is followed by the U10 and U11 until the 10th and the J1 and J2 until 17th year of life. (please refer: U11 examination). The first eleven medical check-ups are carried out by the Health insurance accepted.

1st year of life

As early as the first three months of life, a child learns certain skills that allow them to make their first movements and come into contact with their surroundings. Motor functions such as lifting the head or leaning on the forearms take place from the prone position. Objects of interest are actively perceived. The child tries not to lose it from the corner of his eye by turning his head. It returns the smile of strangers and familiar people.

Read more on the topic: When do babies turn?
Does your baby sleep restlessly? Find out more about: How do I swaddle a baby?

After six months, the child grabs objects by hand and lets them move from the right to the left hand and vice versa. If you help him into the sitting position, he can hold his head independently and reflexively bends his arms. The child is aware of the environment. Stroking and speaking produce positive reactions. Carrying the baby correctly during this time is also important for its development (see also: Baby carrier or sling - what is the best way to transport my baby?).

In the ninth month, the child should be able to sit largely without any problems. His curiosity is shown in the detailed examination of objects that are grasped with all senses. Caregivers and strangers are consciously recognized by the child.

At the end of the first year of life, motor development has progressed so far that the child can pull himself into a standing position on fixed objects and carry out coordinated finger movements. He begins to actively seek contact with his peers and looks for things that have been hidden from his eyes.

Please also read our topic on this Development in the baby.

2nd year of life

In the first half of the second year of life does the child not only succeed in that Stand, but also Walking with support. During the first attempts at walking, those at this stage of development can be physiological Bow legs on the baby help to give the gait more stability. Objects are carefully examined and tried out while playing. Simple games, the Melodies, Rhymes or Move bring joy to the child.

To 18 months can the child stand free and go. It just can't simple prompts follow, but also some established rules. The game behavior is more mature, which is shown, for example, in the first role-playing games.

At the End of the second year of life can the child run and precise motor movements perform like unwrapping a candy. Gambling behavior will also more independentwho have favourited role-playing games more mature.

3rd year of life

in the third year of life the child has the ability to safely hop off a small ledge and can always more precise movements with your fingers To run. It draws his first pictures and likes to put himself in the game while playing other people inside. In the interaction with the parents it tries to their behavior and actions imitate.

4th year of life

At the End of the fourth year of life the child drives safely on one Bobby car or tricycle. The right Holding a pen, increasingly complex role-playing games and W questions (Who? How? Where? What?) are further milestones in development. The child can focus on certain things focus and shows how to deal with other children social behaviour.

5th year of life

In the fifth year of life, the child manages to climb and descend stairs in a coordinated manner and to use scissors sensibly when doing handicrafts. Interaction with other children increases. When playing, the roles become more detailed, games that involve building things become more common.

For more detailed information, also read the article: Development in the toddler

6th year of life

By the age of six, a child should have the motor skills to dress and undress independently, to stand on one leg for a few seconds and to be able to throw and catch a ball. How confidently they can coordinate these is different for each child. In the child's perception, the need to understand the surrounding environment grows. It seeks its own explanations. Interacting with other children in this section involves integrating into a group and making compromises.

The child goes to school and learns other social skills and grows up. Puberty can begin from the age of 8. That makes e.g.noticeable through the beginning of pubic and armpit hair.

Read on below: What happens in puberty?

Language development

The child language development does not just depend on sufficient Hearing ability, but also from numerous external factors and develops in parallel with the acquisition more social and emotional skills.

In the first months of life the child expresses itself primarily through Scream and mediates with it certain needs. The first, so-called Babble phase puts between the 2nd and 3rd month a. The child learns that motor basics of speaking in which it produces cooing and slurping sounds. In the second babbling phase from the 4th to the 7th month, the child hangs single syllables one behind the other and imitated single vowels.

in the 8th to 12th month can the child Understand language increasingly and uses first words like "mummy" and "father“.

In the course of the second year of life the child speaks first One word sentenceswhich mostly relate to the respective situation, later Two word sentences. Also Prompts become increasingly understood and followed. The vocabulary consists of about 50 words.

Between the 2nd and 3rd year of life the child is more suitable and more words on, expands sentences three words and takes the word "I“In its usage.

The Questioning phase lies between the 3rd and 4th year of life. Also used the child more subordinate clauses.

In the further course, the Record length, as well as the vocabulary to. With entry into the School age, the child can tell stories you heard before and is grammatical always safer.

Prophylaxis of child developmental disorders

Developmental disorders in early childhood can be identified and encouraged in good time if parents, paediatricians and educators work closely with one another.

In general, skills are preferably developed through the presentation of certain stimuli and a healthy parent-child relationship. In certain time frames, children are particularly receptive to learning certain skills. Reading a bedtime story, guessing games, and creative tasks like painting and handicrafts can make mastering development tasks easier. Children should be strengthened in their already acquired skills and encouraged to others.

Read more on the topic: Short stature

Developmental disorders in children can also occur as a result of poor or poor nutrition.

Please also read our topic on this: Vegan Diet for Children - Harmful or Safe?