child development

for exam

What is growth?

Physical changes you can measure, like height and weight.

What is development?

Ongoing changes that lead to more complex abilities (e.g. learning, emotions).

What are the 3 main domains of development?

• Biological – body and brain changes

• Cognitive – thinking and learning

• Psychosocial – emotions and relationships

What is the nature vs. nurture debate?

Nature = genetics; Nurture = environment. Both affect development.

What’s the difference between continuous and discontinuous development?

• Continuous = gradual (e.g. height)

• Discontinuous = in stages (e.g. learning to talk)

What are the 3 stages of prenatal development?

• Zygote (0–2 weeks)

• Embryo (2–8 weeks)

• Foetus (9 weeks–birth)

What are teratogens?

Harmful substances (e.g. alcohol, drugs) that can cause birth defects.

Why are newborn reflexes important?

They help babies survive (e.g. sucking, grasping).

What helps brain development after birth?

Experience strengthens used brain pathways; unused ones are pruned away.

What is maturation?

Natural biological growth in a set order.

Name 2 physical milestones.

• Sitting: 6 months

• Walking: 12–15 months

Who was Piaget?

A psychologist who studied how children's thinking changes over time.

What are the 4 stages of Piaget’s theory?

• Sensorimotor (0–2): Senses & movement

• Preoperational (2–6): Language & imagination

• Concrete Operational (7–11): Logic, maths

• Formal Operational (12+): Abstract & moral thinking

What did Erikson believe?

People develop across 8 stages, each with a challenge to resolve (e.g. trust vs. mistrust, identity vs. role confusion).

What are the 4 parenting styles?

• Authoritative: Warm + rules → confident kids

• Authoritarian: Strict + cold → anxious kids

• Permissive: Warm + no rules → low discipline

• Neglectful: Cold + no rules → emotional problems

Name 2 ways we study child development.

• Naturalistic observation – watching behaviour in real life

• Experiments – testing cause and effect in controlled settings

What is theory of mind?

Understanding that others have different thoughts and feelings (develops around ages 3–5).

When does self-awareness begin?

Around 18 months old.