Child health and development

INTRODUCTION

Child development can be defined as the process by which a child changes over time. It covers the whole period from conception to an individual becoming a fully functioning adult. It’s a journey from total dependence to full independence.

Child development incorporates, physical growth as well as intellectual, language, emotional and social development. Whilst these aspects are often considered separately, in reality each influence all of the others.

1] MILESTONES

Whilst each child develops at their own pace, a number of typical age-related milestones have been identified. Considerable variation around when these milestones are reached is normal. For example, a child will usually start taking their first steps at around 12 to 13 months. The milestone is, therefore, set at around 12 months, but some children don’t walk until 18 months. This represents normal variation. However, a child not walking by 2 years old would need to be followed up.

2] PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Starting with a single cell, all of the main body organs and limbs are formed by about 8 weeks of pregnancy. For the remainder of the 9 months the body matures in preparation for life in the outside world. Physically, with the exception of the reproductive system, the main organs are remarkably similar to adult organs by about 1 year after birth.

Growth is rapid and can be mapped with standard growth charts. It’s driven by a mixture of hormones and nutrition and occurs in a head to toe, trunk to limb direction. Over time the body takes on more adult-like proportion.

3] SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

From birth, babies enjoy interacting and responding socially. By 6 weeks, responses will typically include a social smile. The attachment to significant cares is strong. The realization for the baby that they are a separate person occurs during the first 2 or 3 months. Having understood that ‘I 'exists, they then begin to understand how they are seen by the world with certain qualities and characteristics.

Social interactions drive the baby to develop and to learn. At first, they start playing on their own with toys, often alongside another child, but by 2 years old, their play will typically involve playing cooperatively and taking turns with another similar aged child.

4] LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

The development of language is essential for a child to interact and communicate with others. From birth the newborn starts to make sounds, cooing and crying. This develops over the first few months of life as the throat matures physically, and sounds become more refined.

The ability to understand what is said appears to develop first in babies and young children and is followed by the ability to say and use language.

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

A newborn baby is able to show simple emotions such as distress or excitement. As they interact socially, their range and complexity of emotions develops further. Around 8 months, a baby learns to anticipate interactions and can start to show fear as well as excitement. Displaying affection and temper tantrums, born of frustration can start at around 18 months.

Attachment to significant care givers is an important aspect of emotional development and separation anxiety starts to develop at around 8 months. This lessens as the child starts school but may still be evident when a child is stressed.

CONCLUSION

Early childhood development is influenced by the combination of genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. While genetic factors provide a foundation, interaction between those factors shapes a child's growth and well-being.