Childhood Development

Definition

Childhood development refers to the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional changes that occur in individuals from birth to adolescence. It encompasses the growth and maturation of various aspects of a child's development, including their motor skills, language acquisition, problem-solving abilities, emotional regulation, and social interactions.

Related terms

Jean Piaget:

A Swiss psychologist known for his theory of cognitive development which describes how children construct their understanding of the world through assimilation and accommodation.

Erik Erikson:

A developmental psychologist who proposed eight psychosocial stages that individuals go through across the lifespan, with each stage presenting a unique developmental task or crisis.

Lev Vygotsky:

A Russian psychologist who emphasized the role of social interaction and cultural factors in cognitive development. He introduced concepts such as the zone of proximal development (ZPD) and scaffolding to explain how learning occurs within social contexts.