Question

Briefly explain the childhood period. 

Elaborate on the development of physical characteristics during the childhood stage.

Elaborate on the development of emotional characteristics during the childhood stage.

Answer 1

The period of life from 2 to 12 years is called the childhood stage. During these play years, motor skills are refined. Thoughts and language expand astoundingly, a sense of morality becomes evident, and a child establishes ties with peers. 

Key characteristics of the childhood stage are:

1. Physical Development: Physical development during early life is marked by fast growth. Infants and toddlers grow significantly in height and weight and start developing basic motor abilities like crawling, walking, and grabbing. As children progress through early childhood, their motor abilities improve; they begin running and jumping and developing the coordination required for tasks such as painting, writing, and playing sports.
   By middle childhood, physical growth is constant but not as quick as in the early years. Children's physical talents improve in coordination and precision, allowing them to participate in more complex physical activities. This phase also sees the development of increased physical endurance and strength, as well as the growth of permanent teeth.
2. Cognitive Development: During the age of 3 to 7 years, children acquire the ability to internally represent the world through language and mental imagery. During the course of time, increasingly complex behavioural and cognitive abilities become possible as the central nervous system matures. Children are able to engage in increasingly difficult cognitive tasks, such as performing a series of tasks in a reasonable order. An example regarding cognitive development relates to assembling a mechanical toy, unpacking the pieces, connecting the parts, and making the model move by adding a power source- a series of tasks that must be completed in the correct order to achieve certain results.
3. Social and Emotional Development: Soon after children attain the age of 5 or 6 years, they begin to make comparisons with other children. For example, a child might describe himself as being faster than one child but slower than another. They understand that other people are looking at and judging them the same way that they are looking at and judging others. Young children are most strongly attached to their parents.