Introduction

Child development can be defined as the process by which a child changes over time. It covers the whole period from conception to an individual becoming a fully functioning adult. It’s a journey from total dependence to full independence.

Child development incorporates, physical growth as well as intellectual, language, emotional and social development. Whilst these aspects are often considered separately, in reality each influences all of the others. For example, as the brain develops physically, so intellectual abilities increase. This in turn allows a child to explore their social world more fully, develop their emotional responses to it and the language needed to describe it, but in turn, this exploration directly impacts on further physical brain development.

A number of factors affect the course and progression of child development within a given individual. These include the innate or the biological makeup of the child themself and external influences such as family, society, economics, health and culture. Thus, growth and development are directly related to the child’s nutrition, affluence, parenting styles, education and interaction with peers.