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Stages of Childhood
Development
Jennifer Lobas
Keiser University
Lifespan Development- DEP 2004
Dr. Renita Wit
man
,The First Two Years
The first two years of your child’s life are an extraordinary and vital part of child deve
Children develop from being almost entirely dependent newborns to independent,
communicating, interactive individuals. Your child’s physical growth will be especiall
during the first two years.
Your newborn baby will be born with the abilities for survival and adaption.
• Your baby will automatically such when presented with a nipple
• Turn his/her head when voices are heard
• Grasp at a finger that is pressed into their hand
These are called Reflexes or “automatic reactions to stimulation that enable infants to
the environment before they have learned anything.
Infants must learn to engage in motor activities within the context of their ever changi
Physical development can be monitored by looking at their Gross Motor Skills: the a
perform large muscle movements, and their Fine motor skills: ability to perform sma
movements.
, Sensorimotor stage: Ages 0-2
This cognitive stage from birth to age 2 is characterized by the absence of language. Because your child will not yet hav
words for things, objects cease to exist when children are not dealing directly with them. Interactions with the environme
strictly sensorimotor and deal only with the here and now (Hergenhahn & Olson, 2005). During this stage, infants interac
and learn about their environments by relating their sensory experiences (such as hearing and seeing) to their motor actio
(mouthing and grasping).
Intelligence is first displayed when reflex movements become more refined, such as when an infant will reach for a pre
toy, and will suck on a nipple and not a pacifier when hungry.
Toward the end of this stage, children develop the concept of object permanence or when they come to realize that obje
on existing even when they are not experiencing them.
Stages of Childhood
Development
Jennifer Lobas
Keiser University
Lifespan Development- DEP 2004
Dr. Renita Wit
man
,The First Two Years
The first two years of your child’s life are an extraordinary and vital part of child deve
Children develop from being almost entirely dependent newborns to independent,
communicating, interactive individuals. Your child’s physical growth will be especiall
during the first two years.
Your newborn baby will be born with the abilities for survival and adaption.
• Your baby will automatically such when presented with a nipple
• Turn his/her head when voices are heard
• Grasp at a finger that is pressed into their hand
These are called Reflexes or “automatic reactions to stimulation that enable infants to
the environment before they have learned anything.
Infants must learn to engage in motor activities within the context of their ever changi
Physical development can be monitored by looking at their Gross Motor Skills: the a
perform large muscle movements, and their Fine motor skills: ability to perform sma
movements.
, Sensorimotor stage: Ages 0-2
This cognitive stage from birth to age 2 is characterized by the absence of language. Because your child will not yet hav
words for things, objects cease to exist when children are not dealing directly with them. Interactions with the environme
strictly sensorimotor and deal only with the here and now (Hergenhahn & Olson, 2005). During this stage, infants interac
and learn about their environments by relating their sensory experiences (such as hearing and seeing) to their motor actio
(mouthing and grasping).
Intelligence is first displayed when reflex movements become more refined, such as when an infant will reach for a pre
toy, and will suck on a nipple and not a pacifier when hungry.
Toward the end of this stage, children develop the concept of object permanence or when they come to realize that obje
on existing even when they are not experiencing them.
