child development stages from birth to adolescence

Child development stages refer to the development milestones in certain ages from birth to adolescence stage. All the children go through the following physical, mental and cognitive developments. Some children may differ by few months. Every child has unique development. Some of the physical, mental and cognitive developments in the child development stages are

Infant (Birth to 1 Year):

The infant still tries to develop basic body coordination, exercises motor skills on all body parts, and learns what each part of the body is for.

During this stage the infant's mind is completely dependent on the parent. Their mind is still adjusting to the outside world.

Infants slowly develop their senses, learning to identify what they hear, see, smell, touch, taste, and feel.

Toddler (1-3 Years):

Toddlers are now capable of independent movement. They learn to manipulate the world around them such as throwing items and using tools like spoons and forks.

Toddlers have a very curious mind and this is essentially the key stage to a child's intellectual growth. They receive information quickly and while the processing stage is still in development, the toddler's mind is exercised and will help them grow into intellectual leaders later on.

Toddlers begin learning from the outside world. They imitate what they see. They also start developing ways to respond to the things going around them.

Preschooler (3-5 Years):

Children at this stage have better balance, better body coordination, and can use tools with ease such as scissors and learning how to write.

Preschoolers are now independent in thought but there are still moments where actions are done with no conscious decision. Children are now facing the dividing wall between reality and imagination.

Preschoolers now understand organization and grouping. They can identify themselves from the society and can also comprehend what adults are telling them.

Early Childhood (5-7 Years):

Speech becomes a fundamental part of their lives.

During these years the child's mind is curious and open to exploration. Children become social therefore their minds are developing the capability of social awareness and group thinking.

Children at this age learn to associate themselves with others, learning their role in society as they mingle with other children of their age group.

Later Childhood (7-11 Years):

At this stage children grow much faster. They get taller and bigger. The true shape of their faces and body build start working out as they enter adolescence.

Self identity and reality become grounded in the child's mind during these years. They identify themselves as children, learning the basics of language, mathematics, and the sciences of the world around them. During these years their minds become equipped with the basic knowledge to stand up in the world on their own.

Logical development occurs. Children can now logically consider events and theories even though they may not completely comprehend them.

Adolescence (12-20 Years):

Physical changes occur. During adolescence women start their menstruation cycle and their body changes to prepare for pregnancy. Men develop masculine forms and become stronger, faster, and healthier.

The mind is already developed and the person can basically think independently. Free will becomes an important concept as they now develop individual aspects that seem interesting. It is during these years that the child develops what they choose to: from mathematics to arts to engineering and languages.

Logical theories and the working hypotheses now become integral in their cognitive development. Adolescent children ask questions but instead of seeking answers elsewhere they now try to get the answers themselves.

The basic art of child development stages continue to show that the child starts out very dependent, in both mind and body, to their mother. They finish off independently, branching out to develop whatever specialty they care for. Behavior is very dependent on this since the child's upbringing is chained to the way these three aspects (physical, mental, and cognitive) were handled. The growth and behavior differ in each stage.