Child Development Basics

The child development section of our site provides parents with information on and development in children and teenagers.  The information on the pages in this section helps parents know what to expect from their children as they mature. Child development information can help parents know when they are expecting too much from a child as well as become aware of lags in development that may benefit from professional help.   The pages in this section not only provide information on the activities and achievements usually displayed at a given stage of development but also direct readers to information on how to help children and adolescents reach their full potential as they grow and develop. 

Feature Articles

     Temperament and Your Child's Personality  Temperament is a set of in-born traits that organize the child's approach to the world.  They are instrumental in the development of the child's distinct personality.  These traits also determine how the child goes about learning about the world around him.

     These traits appear to be relatively stable from birth.  They are enduring characteristics that are actually never "good" or "bad."  How they are received determines whether they are perceived by the child as being a bad or good thing.  When  parents understand the temperament of their children, they can avoid blaming themselves for issues that are normal for their child's temperament.  Some children are noisier than other.  Some are more cuddly than others.  Some have more regular sleep patterns that others.

     When parents understand how their child responds to certain situations, they an learn to anticipate issues that might present difficulties for their child.  They can prepare the child for the situation or in other cases they may avoid a potentially difficult situation all together. 
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     Play - The Work of a Child  Play activities are essential to healthy development for children and adolescents.  Research shows that 75% of brain development occurs after birth.  The activities engaged in by children both stimulate and influence the pattern of the connections made between the nerve cells.  This process influences the development of fine and gross motor skills, language, socialization, personal awareness, emotional well-being, creativity, problem solving and learning ability.

     The most important role that play can have is to help children to be active, make choices and practice actions to mastery.  They should have experience with a wide variety of content (art, music, language, science, math, social relations) because each is important for the development of a complex and integrated brain.  Play that links sensori-motor, cognitive, and social-emotional experiences provides an ideal setting from brain development.  <full story>

Parent Tips

     Many parents want to do what ever they can to help their child become the smartest kid on the block.  Some are turning to the use of video programs for babies and young children aimed at increasing intelligence and language.  Unfortunately, there is NO research to back up the claims of these programs.

     Child Development research continues to support frequent, lively, creative parent- child interaction as the best way to encourage and enhance language development, creativity and curiosity which leads to higher learning ability and self-confidence later in life.  [Check out some great resources for great Family Activities that are fun and promote learning and child development at the same time]

In The Baby Book, William Sears and Martha Sears have provided new parents with their approach to every aspect of baby care basics, from newborns to toddlers. Attachment parenting is a gentle, reasonable approach to parenting that stresses bonding with your baby.