➢ ASSIGNMENT:

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
➢ TOPIC:
DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDHOOD
➢ SUBMITTED BY:
NISHA MUNAWAR[04]
LUBNA IRFAN[11]
ANAM SHEZADI[44]
SHEEZA ARSHAD[05]
UMBRIN FATIMA[42]
➢ SUBMITTED TO:
MAM UZMA
CHILDHOOD:
Childhood refers to the early stage of human life, typically from birth to adolescence,
characterized by significant physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. It is a time
of growth, learning, exploration, and forming foundational experiences that shape individuals'
identities and future development.
Physical development in childhood
➢ Physical development in childhood refers to the changes in a child's body size,
proportions, appearance, motor skills, and physical health from infancy through
adolescence.I
➢ It involves milestones such as crawling, walking, running, and the development of fine
motor skills like grasping and writing.
➢ This period is characterized by rapid growth, maturation of organs, and the refinement of
motor skills through practice and experience.
➢ Nutrition, genetics, environment, and overall health play significant roles in shaping
physical development during childhood.

Stages of Physical Development in Childhood

★ Toddlers (18 months - 3 years)

➢ The toddler years are some of the most active times in a child's development!
➢ Toddlers are practically always in motion; jumping, throwing, running, and climbing on
everything.
➢ The basic motor skills in infancy form the foundation for physical activities during the
toddler years. Walking turns into running, standing turns into climbing, and swaying turns
into dancing!
★ Pre-schoolers (3 - 5 years)

➢ During the preschool years, children develop fine motor skills. Everything from using
zippers, writing on paper, cutting with scissors, and molding playdough happens in this
stage.
➢ Preschoolers learn to draw basic shapes and letters. This is also the time when kids
develop a hand preference, figuring out if they are right-handed or left-handed.
➢ Preschoolers grow in confidence and competence in their motor skills.

★ School Age (6 - 12 years)

➢ The rapid growth in the previous stages begins to slow down after the preschool years,
and children in elementary school need more rest. Their bones are larger and harder
than before.
➢ They continue improving their fine motor skills (writing and drawing).
➢ During these years, children usually try out lots of different sports and activities to figure
out their interests and learn new information.
2. Emotional development in childhood
Emotional development in childhood refers to the gradual acquisition of skills and capacities that
enable children to recognize, understand, and manage their own emotions, as well as to
respond appropriately to the emotions of others.

1. Toddlerhood (Ages 1 and 2)

➢ In stage 2, toddlers often point to things as a way of interacting with others and use
interactive gestures like waving goodbye.
➢ They commonly take part in interactive play, such as peek-a-boo.
➢ During this stage, toddlers typically begin to learn empathy, such as feeling upset if
another child cries.
➢ They also take part in pretend play, like stirring “food” in a play cooking pot, and they
engage in parallel play next to other children.
➢ Many call this stage the ‘terrible twos.’ Most toddlers have strong emotions but have not
yet learned how to fully express those in an acceptable way.
➢ In Erikson’s Stages of Development, this phase could last until around age 3. He wrote
that children with supportive parents usually have confidence, will, self-control and pride.
2. Pre-schoolers (Ages 3 to 5)
➢ During stage 3, emotional learning in the preschool years includes developing the ability
to control emotions and impulses and displaying socially appropriate behaviors.
➢ They often attempt to test limits and rely on their parents and caregivers for guidance.
➢ Preschoolers also practice controlling their aggression toward others. They usually gain
cooperative play skills, such as taking turns and sharing.
➢ Erikson called this phase the ‘play age,’ and it lasts throughout preschool until children
enter formal school.
➢ According to him, the goals in this stage include using imagination, cooperating with
others, and serving effectively as both leaders and followers.

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT:
Cognitive development in childhood refers to the growth and maturation of processes such as
thinking, learning, and problem-solving from infancy through adolescence. Jean Piaget, a
pioneering psychologist in this field, proposed a theory suggesting that children progress
through distinct stages of cognitive development, each characterized by unique ways of
understanding the world. These stages include the sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years), the
preoperational stage (2 to 7 years), the concrete operational stage (7 to 11 years), and the
formal operational stage (11 years and older). Piaget's theory has been influential in
understanding how children's thinking evolves over time.

★ The Preoperational Stage of Cognitive Development

The foundations of language development may have been laid during the previous stage, but
the emergence of language is one of the major hallmarks of the preoperational stage of
development.

2 to 7 Years

CHARACTERISTICS:

➢ Begin to think symbolically and learn to use words and pictures to represent
objects
➢ Tend to be egocentric and struggle to see things from the perspective of others
➢ Getting better with language and thinking, but still tend to think in very
concrete terms

CENTARATION:

Focusing on only one characteristic of an object and to the exclusion of all others.

EGOCENTRISM:

They pick their own ideas and they cannot care other’s perspectives.

ANIMISM:

In an animated object ,they have lifelike qualities and are capable of actions.

➔ They engage in pretend play.

➔ They represent the world symbolically.(such as words,images and drawings)
➔ They lack Conservation and Reversibility.

CONSERVATION:

Changing the shape of the container does not change the amount of water.

REVERSIBILITY:

Things that have been changed can be returned in their original form.

★ The Concrete Operational Stage of Cognitive Development

While children are still very concrete and literal in their thinking at this point in development, they
become much more adept at using logic. The egocentrism of the previous stage begins to
disappear as kids become better at thinking about how other people might view a situation.

7 to 11 Years

characteristics:
 ➢ Begin to think logically about concrete events
➢ Begin to understand the concept of conservation; that the amount of liquid in a
short, wide cup is equal to that in a tall, skinny glass, for example
➢ Thinking becomes more logical and organized, but still very concrete
➢ Begin using inductive logic, or reasoning from specific information to a general
principle

DECENTRATION:

Focusing on more than one characteristic of the object.

SERIATION:

Ability to change the stimulus according to its length.

ELIMINATION OF EGOCENTRISM:

In this stage ,elimination of egocentrism occurs.

➔ They can do concrete operations but are not able to abstract thinking.
➔ They become able to conserve ,show reversibility and more logical classification.
PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT:
INTRODUCTION:
Personality development during childhood is a complex process influenced by a variety of
factors, including genetics, environment, family dynamics, and individual experiences. It
involves the gradual formation of enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that
shape how children interact with the world around them. Understanding the stages and factors
that contribute to personality development in childhood is essential for caregivers, educators,
and psychologists to support children's healthy growth and development.

★ Early Childhood (2-6 years):

➢ Boys and girls both explore their environment actively and begin to develop a sense of
autonomy and self-concept.
➢ They engage in imaginative play, which fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and
social interaction.
➢ Gender roles and stereotypes may start to influence behavior, with boys encouraged to
be more active and assertive, while girls may be socialized to be more nurturing and
compliant.
★ Middle Childhood (6-12 years):
➢ Both boys and girls develop social skills, moral reasoning, and a growing sense of
competence.
➢ They become more aware of societal expectations and norms, leading to the
internalization of values and moral standards.
➢ Peer relationships become increasingly important for both genders, influencing
self-esteem, identity formation, and social behaviors.
 ➢ Gender differences in play preferences may become more apparent, with boys often
gravitating towards more active, competitive activities, while girls may prefer cooperative
and nurturing interactions.

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE DEVELOPMENT DURING CHILDHOOD:

➢ Genetics and Biology: Genetic predispositions can impact physical growth, health
conditions, and cognitive development.
➢ Nutrition:Access to nutritious food and a balanced diet is crucial for physical growth,
cognitive development, and overall health.
➢ Parenting Styles:Parental warmth, responsiveness, and discipline strategies can
significantly shape a child's socio-emotional development and behavior.
➢ Socioeconomic Status:Poverty, lack of access to resources, and economic instability
can affect a child's opportunities for education, healthcare, and overall well-being.
➢ Education:Quality early childhood education and access to educational resources can
influence cognitive development, academic achievement, and future opportunities.
➢ Environmental Factors:Exposure to toxins, pollutants, violence, and unsafe living
conditions can have adverse effects on physical and cognitive development.
➢ Family Dynamics:Family structure, relationships, and dynamics within the household
can impact a child's social and emotional development.
➢ Culture and Ethnicity:Cultural norms, values, and traditions shape a child's identity,
beliefs, and social interactions, influencing their development.
➢ Peer Relationships:interactions with peers and socialization within peer groups play a
significant role in shaping social skills, behavior, and self-esteem.
➢ Technology and Media:Excessive screen time, exposure to inappropriate content, and
lack of supervision can impact cognitive development, attention span, and social
interactions.

CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, childhood development is a complex and dynamic process that involves physical,
cognitive, emotional, and social changes. Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development
highlights the importance of children's active involvement in constructing their understanding of
the world. From the sensorimotor stage to the formal operational stage, children progress
through distinct stages, each characterized by unique ways of thinking and understanding.
These stages are influenced by both genetic factors and environmental experiences. Overall,
childhood development is a critical period that lays the foundation for future learning, behavior,
and overall well-being.