Child Development Birth to Age

COURSE: Early Childhood Education I UNIT B

Twelve

Understand principles and domains of child development,

COMPETENCY: 4.00 B2 21% developmental characteristics of children, and theories of
child development.
OBJECTIVE: 4.02 B2 7% Understand developmental characteristics of children.
Essential Question​: What are some developmental characteristics of children at various ages?
UNPACKED CONTENT
Developmental characteristics are behaviors and attributes that are typical for an age group of
children. Knowledge of these characteristics enables early childhood professionals to plan
appropriate programs, curricula, and activities. Here are some types of behaviors/attributes often
addressed in developmental characteristics for the six domains of child development.
P​hysical Development and Health
∙ Hand-to-mouth coordination
∙ Vision, eye-hand coordination
∙ Mobility
∙ Fine and gross motor skills
∙ Self-help skills

∙ Average height and weightReflexes, types of body movements,

degree of body coordination
∙ Ability to lift, support, move head
∙ Abilities with hands
∙ Questioning
∙ Connecting words with people, things
∙ Reading, writing, speaking, and
listening skills

∙ L​anguage Development and CommunicationVocalizations, sounds, cries, laughter

∙ Use of facial expressions, gestures, and
other body language to communicate
A​pproaches to Learning
∙ Desire for independence
∙ Attempts to solve problems
∙ Length of attention span

∙ Responses; appreciation of beautySigns of curiosity, interest, creative thinking

∙ Recognition of familiar things
∙ Imitation
∙ Following and finding things
∙ Interest in books, TV, computer, etc.

∙ C​ognitive Development Preferences

∙ Recognition of people, things
∙ Development of memory; anticipation
∙ Demonstrations of feelings
 ∙ Emerging fears

∙ E​motional DevelopmentReactions to positive and negative factors

∙ Ability to calm oneself, manage feelings
S​ocial Development
∙ Evidence of desire for social contact
∙ Evidence of trust; search for approval
∙ Testing limits

∙ Understanding of self in relation to othersStyles of play, interactions with others

∙ Signs of concern, affection