Child development refers to the biological, psychological and emotional changes that occur from infancy through adolescence. It involves progressing through developmental milestones in areas such as gross and fine motor skills, cognition, social/emotional development, and speech/language. Understanding child development and psychology is important for caregivers to provide a nurturing environment that supports healthy development and to understand the reasons behind a child's behavior. Studying childcare courses can help parents and professionals gain knowledge about child development, psychology, and childcare best practices.

1. Child Development
The Importance
of Child Development and Psychology

2. Definition of child development
 Child development is about the
biological, psychological and emotional
changes that take place from infancy up
until the end of adolescence .

3. Difference between growth and development
It is important to
know the difference
between growth and
development.
Growth refers to the
physical changes in a
child’s size, height, weight,
face, shoe size, length of
arms and legs and body
shape.
Development refers to the
continuous progression
whereby a child gains more
complex knowledge.

4. Important facts about development
 Developmental milestones are a set of functional
skills or age-specific tasks that children in general
can perform at a specific age.
Developmental milestones are age related, but
every child reaches the stages at his/her own rate.
 The stages of development are closely integrated
with one another. Each stage will greatly affect
the next stage.

5. Different Stages of Development
Developmental Milestones
Gross Motor Skill Development
Fine Motor Skill Development
Cognitive Development
Social and Emotional Development
Speech and Language Development

8. Gross Motor Skill Development
Gross motor skills are the
use of large muscles in
arms, legs, feet and torso.
The muscles are used
to sit, stand, walk, run,
change positions and
balance.

9. Fine Motor Skill Development
Fine motor skills are the use of small
muscles in the fingers, wrists, toes, lips
and tongue.
The muscles are used
to pick up or hold objects,
for example, holding a
spoon to eat or a crayon to
draw.

10. Cognitive Development
Cognitive
Development refers to
skills such as
learning, reasoning,
remembering,
understanding and
problem solving

11. Social and Emotional Development
Social and emotional development involves skills such
as self-awareness, forming relationships with primary
caregivers, interacting with other people, responding
to feelings and learning self-control.

12. Speech and Language Development
Speech and Language development involves gaining
skills needed to understand and use a language. This
includes spoken words as well as body language and
gestures.

13. The Importance of Child Psychology
A child’s behaviour
is shaped by his/her
environment.
As a parent or caregiver, it is important
to understand the reason behind a
child’s behaviour. Thus as primary
caregiver you can help your child adapt
to situations.

14. The Importance of Child Psychology
Child psychology is
clos

ely related to the
healthy development of
a child
Thus a stable, safe and nurturing
environment will influence a child's
development positively

15. All about Childcare
There are many courses that you can study to help
you gain knowledge and skills related to childcare.
New parents, caregivers, and those in charge of
day care centres can all benefit from these courses.

16. Studying Childcare Courses
 Take a course in Childcare to learn
more about child development,
psychology, day care or first aid!

17. You can simply give us a call

18. Or you can visit our website
www.skillsacademy.co.z
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