Nature
describes the traits inherent in the infant at birth: biologically imposed idiosyncratic factors that create what and how each person is
Nurture
the influence of external events such as parenting received, culture, or the “times” in which a child lives
Growth
the continuous adjustment in the size of the child, internally and externally
Development
refers to the ongoing process of adapting throughout the life span
Growth & Development
-each child grows and develops at their own pace
-occurs in a orderly sequence, and each child should progress through the predictable stages within a certain time frame
-continuous process from conception to death
>for the child, growth “spurts” tend to be followed by periods of “rest” because it takes plenty of energy to continue the growth process; the period of rest allows the child to incorporate the new growth or newly developed skill into his or her personal repertoire more completely before attempting the next level
Cephalocaudal
progression from head-to-toe; top to bottom
Proximodistally
children develop from near to far and midline to periphery
>ex: the torso develops before the arms and legs, and development proceeds to the hands and feet and then to the fingers and toes
Three Primary Considerations for Growth and Development
How growth and development proceeds
Gross Motor to Fine Motor Skills
> Gross Motor skills (running, jumping, riding a bike) provide the foundation for fine motor development (eating, coloring, or buttoning a shirt)
Touchpoints
-T. Barry Brazelton created
“periods during the first 3 years of life during which children’s’ spurts in development result in pronounced disruption in the family system”
-ex: an early touchpoint is noted in the 4 month old infant who becomes aware of surroundings; this interest in the environment will disrupt meals as the infant searches out the sounds that are heard; sleep may also be disrupted because of the new awareness, and the infant may awaken at night
>”the cost of each new achievement can temporarily disrupt the child’s and even the whole families progress”
-touchpoints give parents the tools to help the child develop in a healthy manner
-touch points represents a positive and well-integrated way of conceptualizing developmental progress
Touchpoint examples: Birth to 3 years
> Pregnancy to 7 months: parents are concerned with who the child will be. Choice time to develop a rapport with the parents before the child is born
Newborn: soon after birth the newborn is assessed for his ability to habituate, or remain calm in a chaotic environment
3 Weeks: infant starts to learn to self-calm. Parents debate use of pacifier versus thumb
6 to 8 Weeks: infant reacts differently to each parent through facial expression and physical movements
4 Months: infant cycles through light and deep sleep several times a night as he learns to sleep through the night. This is important to avoid sleep problems
7 Months: naps and bedtime are interrupted by the constant practice of new physical skills such as sitting and crawling
9 Months: increasing independence (e.g. crawling and cruising) makes the infant more dependent as separation anxiety takes hold
12 Months: all foods become finger foods. Parents must often give up on the idea of a “rounded diet” because the child now controls what is eaten and when
15 Months: the word “no” becomes prevalent. Toddlers demonstrate frustration at not being able to talk
18 Months: the child tests the limits of parents and caregivers and learns appropriate behavior through consistent limit-setting and consequences
2 Years: the child has now developed gender identity and behaves accordingly
3 Years: learning to handle anger and aggression is paramount. Children may regress and exhibit temper tantrums as they process these emotions
Sigmund Freud
believed development was most influenced by biological instincts; these instincts were psychosexual in nature, meaning that the child progresses through developmental stages based on resolution of conflicts surrounding urges and rules
>also described development of three essential aspects of personality: id, the ego, and the superego
Sigmund Freud: id, ego, and superego
> id: initial aspect, emotional part; present at birth and unregulated (the infant responds to all stimuli emotionally; the infant cries, laughs, or coos automatically and without thought), id is part of the personality that relies on instinct
Ego: begins to develop during the first year, to provide balance between the competing id and reality; ego provides a sense of identity separate from others and promotes the ability of the child to function individually
between ages 3 and 6, serves to help regulate behavior; functions as a center for conscience, and a sense of what and how the child perceives self.
Personality: id
-initial aspect
-emotional part of personality
-present at birth and is unregulated
>ex: the infant responds to all stimuli emotionally. The infant cries, laughs, or coos automatically and without thought
-part of the personality that relies on instinct
Personality: Ego
-develops during first year of life
-provides balance between the competing id and reality
-provides a sense of identity separate from others
-promotes the ability of the child to function individually
>during infancy, the ego helps the baby begin to learn that the mother is not simply an extension of his body
>during adolescence, the ego provides a balance, this time between the id and the superego; when the adolescent refuses to drink alcohol with friends because it is against the child’s conscience and the law, it shows that ego has prevailed
Personality: Superego
Freuds Stages of Psychosexual Development
Psychosexual Development: Oral Stage
Birth to 1 year
Psychosexual Development: Anal Stage
1 to 3 years
Psychosexual Development: Phallic Stage
3 to 6 years
Psychosexual Development: : Latency Stage
6 to 12 years
Psychosocial Development: Genital Stage
12 to 18 years
Erik Erikson
focused on influence of social interaction
Erik Erikson’s Stages of Development