Summarise the main development of a child from the age range 0-2 years, 3- 5 years and 5-8 years.

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1. Summarise the main development of a child from the age range 0-2 years, 3-5 years and 5-8 years.

Development is the process of learning new skills and abilities.

It is important to realise that all children are individuals, so although they will all go through the same stages of development, they will not necessarily do so at the same time.

When talking about children’s development, the term ‘average child’ is often used. As practitioners, we should not consider any child to be average, but focus on the child as a whole. In my placement as a teaching assistant in a local primary school, we are taught to take into account the whole of the child’s development. This is called holistic development.

There are four stages of human growth patterns. These are Childhood (which in four stages is known as infancy, early childhood, preschool and school age), Adolescence, Adulthood and Later Adulthood.

The main development of a child from the age range 0-2 years.

It is during the first two years that childhood begins. This is known as the infancy stage, which lasts from birth to eighteen months. A baby will develop from a new-born, to lifting their head, sit unsupported, and will be able to throw or kick a ball at 2 years old.

 Jean Piaget (1896-1980) was a biologist who originally studied molluscs but moved into the study of the development of children's understanding, through observing them and talking and listening to them while they worked on exercises he set (Atherton, 2011). Piaget theorised that from birth to approximately two years, which he called the sensorimotor stage, is a time when infants have little competence.

Birth to three months

Physically, babies at this age can lie on their back with no assistance. The baby will be able to watch movement, including of their own hands and be able to play with their fingers. They will also be able to recognise bright lights, loud noises and shiny objects, which demonstrate the development of senses, including sight, touch and sound. Babies also begin to recognise the face of their main carer, which shows emotional development. Intellectually, babies can focus on objects and will start trying to make eye contact. Although a baby cannot communicate verbally, they will recognise and respond to sounds they hear, showing development of sound senses. Socially, babies enjoy physical contact and intimacy, such as feeding, being cuddled, and being bathed. If the baby is distressed, it is easily soothed when its senses recognise their main carer.

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Three to six months

Physically, at this stage the baby should be able to control their head and be able to grasp objects and transfer them between the hands. Co-ordination skills are developing and shiny objects and bright colours excite the baby. They will also start to reach out for objects of interest. Babies of this age have also developed language skills, and may start to imitate sounds that they hear and recognise. Emotionally, babies at this stage are very trusting, and enjoy security from receiving attention and being in contact with others.

Six to nine months

Babies at ...

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