- published: 18 Jul 2014
- views: 30701
Developmental psychology is the scientific study of how and why human beings develop over the course of their life. Originally concerned with infants and children, the field has expanded to include adolescence, adult development, aging, and the entire lifespan. This field examines change across a broad range of topics including: motor skills, cognitive development, executive functions, moral understanding, language acquisition, social change, personality, emotional development, self-concept and identity formation.
Developmental psychology examines the influences of nature and nurture on the process of human development, and processes of change in context and across time. Many researchers are interested in the interaction between personal characteristics, the individual's behavior and environmental factors, including social context and the built environment. Ongoing debates include biological essentialism vs. neuroplasticity and stages of development vs. dynamic systems of development.
Child development refers to the biological, psychological and emotional changes that occur in human beings between birth and the end of adolescence, as the individual progresses from dependency to increasing autonomy. It is a continuous process with a predictable sequence yet having a unique course for every child. It does not progress at the same rate and each stage is affected by the preceding types of development. Because these developmental changes may be strongly influenced by genetic factors and events during prenatal life, genetics and prenatal development are usually included as part of the study of child development. Related terms include developmental psychology, referring to development throughout the lifespan, and pediatrics, the branch of medicine relating to the care of children. Developmental change may occur as a result of genetically-controlled processes known as maturation, or as a result of environmental factors and learning, but most commonly involves an interaction between the two. It may also occur as a result of human nature and our ability to learn from our environment.
Early childhood is a stage in human development. It generally includes toddlerhood and some time afterwards. Play age is an unspecific designation approximately within the scope of early childhood. Some age-related development periods and examples of defined intervals are: newborn (ages 0–5 weeks); infant (ages 5 weeks – 1 year); toddler (ages 1–3 years); preschooler (ages 3–5 years); school-aged child (ages 5–12 years); adolescent (ages 13–19).
In psychology the term, early childhood is usually defined as the time period from the age of two until the age of six or seven years. There are three simultaneous development stages:
In this phase there is significant synaptic growth and myelination of neural fibers in the brain, especially within the frontal lobes. For example, between the ages 2 and 6, the brain increases from 70% of its adult weight to 90%. The growth of the brain is followed by a surge in cognitive abilities. Around the age of five, children start speaking properly and master their hand to eye coordination.
How does a child's capacity to learn relate to the central debate about nature or nurture? As part of the Early Childhood Development lecture series, Dr. Patricia Kuhl talks about children's ability to learn effortlessly and the importance of social interaction in the learning process. Kuhl, professor of Speech and Hearing Sciences and co-director for the UW Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, is internationally recognized for her research on early language and brain development. Produced May 24 2007
This video from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (developingchild.harvard.edu) features Center Director Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D., professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard School of Public Health, and Harvard Medical School addressing basic concepts of early childhood development, established over decades of neuroscience and behavioral research, which help illustrate why child development—particularly from birth to five years—is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society.
Early Childhood Development (ECD) spans from the moment of conception until the beginning of primary school, and includes physical well-being, and cognitive, linguistic, and socio-emotional development. Investing in ECD leads to happier children, more equal societies, and prevents higher costs further down the road. Subscribe! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=BrookingsInstitution Follow Brookings on social media! Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/Brookings Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BrookingsInst Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/brookingsinst LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/com/company/the-brookings-institution
Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald is leveraging the simple practice of talking to babies and toddlers to nourish their brains and set them up for better performance in school and life. About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Dr. Chris Grace describes the earliest stages of brain development in pre-natal and newborn people. He explains several of the brain functions that manifest early on and even some of the personal qualities that seem to be genetic. Dr. Grace differentiates between nature and nurture in psychological development. View the full class here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVHY3HvnI6yMIotukmARTlrCk2q8RXCHg
RELATIONSHIPS MATTER: In this series Kadija speaks to parents and providers an understanding of how relationships with young children develop, and why these relationships are so important. Kadija utilizes the transactional model of development to support our understanding of how the child, parent and environment influence each other and ultimately child development.
If you could do one thing - the most important thing - to influence the life of a young child, what would that be (it’s likely not what you first bring to mind)? We want to improve the wellbeing of children - our own, in our community, and in the world, so thinking globally about this question is vital. Tom Weisner is an emeritus professor of anthropology and psychiatry at UCLA. He studies and teaches about culture and human development; families and children at risk; and evidence-informed policies to improve the lives of children and families. He has done research in Kenya on the effects on children and parents of rural-urban migration; in Delhi, India on families and children with autism; supports for working poor families in Wisconsin; families with children with disabilities in Los ...
Researchers have found that early math education (between the ages of 3-5) is critical for cognitive growth and future learning success. MIND Research Institute presents ST Math: Transitional Kindergarten, a comprehensive math curriculum that meets the developmental and learning needs of your youngest students. Read more about ST Math: Transitional Kindergarten: http://www.mindresearch.org/transitionalkindergarten/ Learn more about MIND Research Institute: http://www.mindresearch.org
Scientists have learned much about the preschool brain over the past decade, but unless they read medical journals, most parents and caregivers have yet to hear about those discoveries. UW researchers together with a group of nonprofit partners are trying to change that by making outreach and education a bigger part of their work. One these outreach programs, developed by the UW's I-LABS, is a series of free online modules that teach everything from early interactions to understanding emotions. Sarah Roseberry Lytle, PhD, director of outreach and education, UW I-LABS http://ilabs.washington.edu/outreach-modules 11/30/2014
How does a child's capacity to learn relate to the central debate about nature or nurture? As part of the Early Childhood Development lecture series, Dr. Patricia Kuhl talks about children's ability to learn effortlessly and the importance of social interaction in the learning process. Kuhl, professor of Speech and Hearing Sciences and co-director for the UW Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, is internationally recognized for her research on early language and brain development. Produced May 24 2007
This video from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (developingchild.harvard.edu) features Center Director Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D., professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard School of Public Health, and Harvard Medical School addressing basic concepts of early childhood development, established over decades of neuroscience and behavioral research, which help illustrate why child development—particularly from birth to five years—is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society.
Early Childhood Development (ECD) spans from the moment of conception until the beginning of primary school, and includes physical well-being, and cognitive, linguistic, and socio-emotional development. Investing in ECD leads to happier children, more equal societies, and prevents higher costs further down the road. Subscribe! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=BrookingsInstitution Follow Brookings on social media! Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/Brookings Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BrookingsInst Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/brookingsinst LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/com/company/the-brookings-institution
Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald is leveraging the simple practice of talking to babies and toddlers to nourish their brains and set them up for better performance in school and life. About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Dr. Chris Grace describes the earliest stages of brain development in pre-natal and newborn people. He explains several of the brain functions that manifest early on and even some of the personal qualities that seem to be genetic. Dr. Grace differentiates between nature and nurture in psychological development. View the full class here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVHY3HvnI6yMIotukmARTlrCk2q8RXCHg
RELATIONSHIPS MATTER: In this series Kadija speaks to parents and providers an understanding of how relationships with young children develop, and why these relationships are so important. Kadija utilizes the transactional model of development to support our understanding of how the child, parent and environment influence each other and ultimately child development.
If you could do one thing - the most important thing - to influence the life of a young child, what would that be (it’s likely not what you first bring to mind)? We want to improve the wellbeing of children - our own, in our community, and in the world, so thinking globally about this question is vital. Tom Weisner is an emeritus professor of anthropology and psychiatry at UCLA. He studies and teaches about culture and human development; families and children at risk; and evidence-informed policies to improve the lives of children and families. He has done research in Kenya on the effects on children and parents of rural-urban migration; in Delhi, India on families and children with autism; supports for working poor families in Wisconsin; families with children with disabilities in Los ...
Researchers have found that early math education (between the ages of 3-5) is critical for cognitive growth and future learning success. MIND Research Institute presents ST Math: Transitional Kindergarten, a comprehensive math curriculum that meets the developmental and learning needs of your youngest students. Read more about ST Math: Transitional Kindergarten: http://www.mindresearch.org/transitionalkindergarten/ Learn more about MIND Research Institute: http://www.mindresearch.org
Scientists have learned much about the preschool brain over the past decade, but unless they read medical journals, most parents and caregivers have yet to hear about those discoveries. UW researchers together with a group of nonprofit partners are trying to change that by making outreach and education a bigger part of their work. One these outreach programs, developed by the UW's I-LABS, is a series of free online modules that teach everything from early interactions to understanding emotions. Sarah Roseberry Lytle, PhD, director of outreach and education, UW I-LABS http://ilabs.washington.edu/outreach-modules 11/30/2014
Early Childhood Development #BestStartinLife
Dr Margaret Nakakeeto is here to give us insights into Early Childhood Development (ECD)
Officials from UNICEF Uganda are here to expound on the Early Childhood Development policy.
Symposium on Early Childhood Development Panel Discussants