CFC

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Growth

Physical changes in a child’s body—like increases in height, weight, and strength—happen from birth and continue through adolescence.

Gross motor skills

Movements using big muscles (arms, legs, core) like running, jumping, and throwing.

Fine Motor Skills

Movements using small muscles (hands and fingers) like writing, buttoning clothes, or picking up small objects.

Cephalocaudal Development

Children develop from head to toe. For example, babies learn to control their head before they can walk.

Proximodistal Development

Children develop from the center of the body outward. They control their core before they control their hands and fingers.

Simple to Complex

Children learn basic skills first, then move to harder ones. For example, they crawl before walking or say single words before full sentences.

Critical Periods

Specific times when a child’s brain is especially ready to learn certain skills, like language or emotional bonding.

Physical Development

The development of body control and movement.
Includes both gross motor skills (like walking, running, and catching) and fine motor skills (like drawing and building with blocks). Children improve balance, coordination, and strength as they grow.

Social Development

The ability to build relationships and interact with others.
Children learn to cooperate, share, play fairly, and start to understand empathy. They enjoy group play and imaginative games while learning how to resolve small conflicts.

Cognitive Development

The development of thinking, learning, and problem-solving skills.
Children begin to sort objects, recognize patterns, ask questions, and develop memory and attention. By the end of early childhood, many can count to 10, recognize colors, and read their own name.

Emotional Development

The ability to understand, express, and manage emotions.
Starts in infancy with simple reactions (like crying or laughing) and grows into recognizing feelings, handling separation, and responding emotionally to situations.

Spiritual/Moral Development

Understanding values, purpose, and right from wrong.
Children begin to develop a sense of identity, values, and meaning. They also learn about morals, understand rules, and make choices based on what is right or fair.

Political Influences on Growth and Development

Government decisions affect families:

• Education funding, health services, paid leave.

• Stable governments improve access and support.

• Unstable ones create hardship.

Technological Influences on Growth and Development

Technology helps, but can also cause problems:

• Positives: Access to education, telehealth, remote work.

• Negatives: Digital addiction, social pressure, less real-world interaction.

The Functional Product Features for Families

Designed to meet essential needs.

• Example: A high chair designed for infants ensures safety while eating and supports proper posture.

The Social Product Features for Families

Encourage interaction and connection.

• Example: A public park with playground equipment fosters social skills and cooperative play among children.

The Cultural Product Features for Families

Reflect traditions and values of a community.

• Example: Educational toys featuring stories from indigenous cultures preserve heritage and teach children cultural respect.

The Economic Product Features for Families

Affordability and accessibility.

• Example: Government-subsidized childcare programs allow working parents to access affordable, quality care for their children

Laws

Set rules to protect people and keep order. Breaking them can lead to consequences like fines or jail.

Sanctions

Penalties for not following rules (e.g., a fine for breaking child welfare laws).

Social Cohesion

A community where people feel connected, included, and safe. Laws help support this by promoting equality and reducing harm.

Working with Children act 2004

• Designed to safeguard children by regulating individuals who work with them.

• Requires background checks and establishes guidelines for child safety.

Purpose of the Working with Children act 2004

Keep children safe from harm by:

• Deterring people with criminal risks from applying

• Detecting new charges after someone already has a WWC Card

• Protecting children by promoting a community-wide focus on safety

What is a WWC Check?

• A screening process for people in child-related roles

• Includes a National Police History Check

• Looks for:

  • Past convictions (especially child abuse/violence)

  • Charges that suggest someone may harm a child

• Ongoing – people are monitored continuously, not just once

Impact of the Working with Children act 2004 for children

• Safer environments at school, daycare, sports, and clubs

• Reduces risk of abuse or neglect

Impact of the Working with Children act 2004 for families

• Builds trust in education and care services

• Reassures parents their children are in safe hands

Impact of the Working with Children act 2004 for Communities

• Encourages safe, responsible caregiving

• Promotes awareness that everyone plays a role in child safety

Recources

Resources refer to tangible and intangible tools, materials, services, and programs that individuals or communities can use to address social issues and trends.

Support systems

Support systems refer to the networks and structures that connect people to resources and provide ongoing assistance. These systems create stability and long-term solutions to social challenges.

provide examples of Resources and support systems in Education & early childhood development

• Resources: Child Care Subsidy, NAPLAN, AEDC, Raising Children Network

• Support: Education departments, playgroups, parent associations

provide examples of Resources and support systems in Family & Parenting Support

• Resources: Family Tax Benefit, Paid Parental Leave, Domestic Violence Helpline

• Support: Parentline, Relationships Australia, The Smith Family

provide examples of Resources and support systems in Mental Health & Wellbeing

• Resources: Beyond Blue, Kids Helpline, Headspace, PANDA

• Support: School wellbeing programs, local clinics, Indigenous services

provide examples of Resources and support systems in Health & Nutrition

• Resources: Medicare, Immunisation Program, Healthy Eating Services

• Support: Maternal health checks, school canteens, breastfeeding helpline

provide examples of Resources and support systems in Economic Support & Housing

• Resources: JobSeeker, Rent Assistance, Emergency Relief

• Support: Salvation Army, Mission Australia, Community Housing