Child Psychology: Stages of Child Development



Child development stages take into account the significant development of a child during the early years. Various models were proposed regarding the different stages in human development. Psychologist like Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, and Jean Piaget were some of the pioneers regarding the social and mental development of children.

During the child’s early months, their motor, vision, speech, and hearing develop. At around 1-3 months, a child is expected to respond by smiling or vocalising sounds when wet, hungry, or disturbed. A child is expected to crawl, sit, and hold objects tight at the average age of 9-10 months. When a child reaches 1 to 2 years of age, he or she is able to stand, walk, and run. Aside from mental development, social interaction with individuals in their environment contributes to the development of the child. According to John Bowlby’s attachment theory, as the child grows, it develops emotional and intimate relationships with the people who take care of them.

Early childhood refers to the stage when a child starts to attend preschool. During this period they become more self expressive and creative, and develop a sense of responsibility. With proper guidance, children at this stage build self-esteem and make their own decisions. Being irritated and frustrated are the negative values acquired during development. Although moral values cannot be seen, children are able to distinguish between good and bad. In the middle of childhood development, children demonstrate intelligence through systematic and logical symbols. This is the period when operational thinking develops and evolves.

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