Child development encompasses physical, mental, and psychological changes that occur as a child ages. It is a subject of study for medical and psychological professionals and can serve as a guideline for normal developmental steps. Developmental problems can arise from various sources, and parents can use developmental materials to identify possible disabilities.
Child development refers to the process of mental, physical, and psychological changes that occur in a child as they age. It is a subject of considerable study and constant advancement by medical and psychological professionals. Child development isn’t an exact science — some children may grow at different rates than others — but it can serve as a guideline for normal developmental steps. The study of child development is usually limited to subjects between infancy and late adolescence.
The physical processes that go into carrying a child from birth to adulthood are pretty tremendous. At birth, babies are almost helpless, while by adulthood a child can grow to more than five times its original height and more than 20 times its birth weight. Some childhood development studies are geared toward understanding the rate, order, and level of variation of physical changes that occur throughout infancy, childhood, and adolescence. While this area includes the study of changes in weight and height, it also involves sexual development and changes in musculature. The study of physical development also seeks to understand the disorders and injuries that can affect development, their causes, and possible treatments.
Mental and psychological development are another important source of research and study in the field. Mental development can refer to changes in intellect and memory capacity, as well as the development of motor skills such as speech and hand-eye coordination. Psychological development focuses on the types of emotional and social growth that occur during this critical life period.
The study of child development is associated with many other areas of medical and mental health research. Developmental problems can arise from a variety of sources, including genetic predisposition, injury, childhood illness, birth trauma, childhood physical or mental trauma, and chemical imbalances in the brain. With these widespread emphases, child development researchers may have various medical and mental health backgrounds which allow them to specialize in the treatment or research of a particular set of problems.
Parents often study childhood development materials to get a sense of where their child is on a developmental scale. While it is important to remember that few children exactly match the average scale of physical, mental, or psychological growth, understanding the baseline age ranges for development can help identify a possible developmental disability. There are many textbooks and guides available in bookstores and through online merchants that can help a parent prepare for the long road associated with raising a child to adulthood.
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