Development and Growth in Children

COURSE : INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (PSY 150) CREDIT HOURS : 3 CREDITS SEMESTER/SESSION : 2st SEMESTER, 2021/2022 SESSION PREPARED BY : ROBIN ARKIN LECTURE NOTES Getting to Know Child Development Period According to Developmental Psychology Developmental psychology is a branch of psychology that studies the changes in human thought, behavior and emotions from childhood to adulthood. This science focuses on the process of development which includes physical, cognitive, social, and emotional. Some of the topics that are the focus of developmental psychology are: a. Physical development: This study studies the physical changes and development of organs, the nervous system, and the hormonal system as humans grow. b. Cognitive development: This study studies changes in the way humans think and process information, including learning, memory, language, and problem solving. c. Social development: This study studies how humans interact with others in social groups, including interpersonal relationships, emotions, identities, and social perceptions. d. Emotional development: This study studies changes in the experience and expression of emotions, including anxiety, happiness, and stress. Developmental psychology also studies factors that influence human development, such as environment, culture, and life experiences. This study helps understand how humans develop over time and provides insight into how to optimize individual development to reach their highest potential. Growth and Development Growth and development are two related but different concepts in developmental psychology.Growth is the physical increase in body size and mass. It occurs when body cells develop and divide to make new cells, which eventually form the body's tissues, organs, and systems. Growth usually refers to visible and measurable changes, such as increases in weight, height, and muscle strength. Development, on the other hand, includes changes in brain function, behavior, and emotions that occur over time. This can occur without a significant change in body size or mass. Development usually refers to changes in the way a person thinks, responds to, interacts with the environment, and experiences feelings and emotions. Although growth occurs regularly and predictably, development can be influenced by many factors, such as life experiences, environment and social interactions. These two concepts are very important in understanding the psychology of human development, because they have an impact on the way humans grow and develop over time. Development Period The period of development is a period in human life when significant changes occur physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally. The developmental period is divided into several stages, each of which has different characteristics and developmental challenges. The following are some of the stages of development in human life and their main features: a. Infancy (0-2 years): Babies experience rapid physical growth and learn to develop motor coordination and language skills. They rely heavily on adults and develop strong emotional bonds with their caregivers. b. Early childhood (2-11 years): Children begin to build social and cognitive skills, such as playing with peers and expanding their vocabulary. They also learn to control their emotions and build self-confidence. c. Adolescence (12-18 years): Adolescents experience many changes in their bodies due to puberty, as well as developing self-identities and exploring their values and goals in life. Teenagers also learn to build more complex social relationships and begin to prepare for a more independent future. d. Young adulthood (18-40 years): During this time, adults begin to build stable careers and romantic relationships. They also experience many changes in their lives, such as getting married, starting a family, and buying a house. e. Middle adulthood (40-65 years): Middle adults are going through many changes in their physical health and balancing their family and career responsibilities. They also begin to reflect on their purpose in life and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. f. Old age (65 years and over): The elderly experience many changes in their physical and cognitive health, as well as changes in their social and emotional relationships. They also experience many opportunities to reflect on their lives and enjoy time with their grandchildren or engage in new and exciting activities. This period of development has a long-term impact on human life and influences the way humans interact with the world around them. Understanding these stages of development helps us understand how humans develop over time and provides important insights for planning appropriate interventions or individual development.