Lesson
4
Infancy and Childhood
Children often imitate the behavior of adults.
Dramatic physical and mental changes take place as an infant
grows through childhood.
Lesson
4
Lesson Objectives
In this lesson, you will learn to:
• Identify the developmental tasks of childhood
• Discuss state laws and community services that
provide vision and hearing screenings and
immunization programs for children
Lesson
4
Childhood Development
Developmental Tasks
• Erik Erikson, a psychologist, has developed one of the most
widely accepted theories of development.
• According to Erikson, each individual passes through eight
developmental stages during his or her life.
• Each stage is characterized by developmental tasks.
Lesson
4
Childhood Development
Stages of Infancy and Childhood
Each stage of development is associated with a developmental
task that involves a person’s relationship with other people.
• Stage 1
Infancy – Birth to 1 year
• Stage 2
Early Childhood – 1 to 3 years
• Stage 3
Middle Childhood – 4 to 6 years
• Stage 4
Late Childhood – 7 to 12 years
Lesson
4
Infancy
• An infant is completely dependent
on others to meet his or her needs.
• An important task for an infant is
developing trust to provide for his
or her needs.
Childhood Development
Lesson
Childhood Development
4
Role of Parents During Infancy
Infants of parents who are attentive—who play
with and talk to the infant and give comfort—
learn to view the world as a safe place. These
children see people as being dependable.
If parents ignore a child’s needs, the
child may learn to be distrustful.
Lesson
4
Childhood Development
Early Childhood
• The child learns to walk, talk, and
dress and feed himself or herself.
• Self-control and confidence begin to
develop, and the child begins
desiring independence.
• In this stage, the child has to
develop the ability to do tasks for
oneself.
Lesson
4
Childhood Development
Role of Parents During Early Childhood
If parents accept the child’s need to do
whatever he or she is capable of, the child
will develop a sense of autonomy.
If parents are overprotective or critical of
the child’s behaviors, the child may
develop doubts about his or her abilities.
Lesson
4
Childhood Development
Middle Childhood
• The child becomes more engaged in
interactions with others and models
adult behavior by helping with
household chores.
• The child also learns to control
impulses.
• The task for this stage is to develop
responsibility, take initiative, to
create one’s own play.
Lesson
4
Childhood Development
Role of Parents During Middle Childhood
If parents show approval of their child’s new
abilities and encourage questions, the child
learns creativity, initiative, and the ability to
start something on his or her own.
Children of parents who are impatient with
the child may develop a sense of guilt
about self-initiated activities, resulting in
low self-esteem.
Lesson
4
Late Childhood
• The child completes the transition
from home to school and learns to
make things, use tools, and acquire
skills.
• The task for this stage is to develop
an interest in performing activities.
Childhood Development
Lesson
Childhood Development
4
Role of Parents During Late Childhood
If children’s efforts are rewarded and
appreciated, their pride in their work
increases.
Children who are scolded for making a
mess, getting in the way, or not following
directions may develop feelings of selfdoubt.
Lesson
4
Health Screenings in Childhood
Vision and Hearing
• The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that
vision screenings be given to newborns and regularly
throughout childhood.
• Schools often provide regular vision screenings for students.
• In the United States, two to three of every 1,000 infants are
born with a hearing impairment severe enough to affect
language development.
• Some state laws require that newborns be screened at birth
for hearing loss. Schools often provide periodic screenings.
Lesson
4
Health Screenings in Childhood
Scoliosis
• Scoliosis may begin in childhood and go unnoticed until the
teen years.
• Its exact cause is unknown, though it is more common in
girls.
• Many public schools make it a policy to check for scoliosis in
middle school.
Lesson
4
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q.
Developmental tasks are
events that need to happen in
order for a person to continue
growing toward becoming a
healthy, mature adult.
True
False
Lesson
4
Quick Review - Answer
A. True. Developmental tasks are events that need to happen
in order for a person to continue growing toward becoming
a healthy, mature adult.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
4
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q.
The ability to respect one’s
parents and develop a sense of
dependency on them are two
developmental tasks that need
to be accomplished in early
childhood.
True
False
Lesson
4
Quick Review - Answer
A. False. The ability to do tasks for oneself and to develop
a sense of autonomy are the developmental tasks to be
accomplished in early childhood.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
4
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. Health screenings for vision,
hearing, and scoliosis are
usually provided by schools.
True
False
Lesson
Quick Review - Answer
4
A. True. Health screenings for vision, hearing, and scoliosis
are usually provided by schools.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
4
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. The nurturing actions of
parents—good or bad—contribute
to the developmental
growth of their children.
True
False
Lesson
4
Quick Review - Answer
A. True. The nurturing actions of parents—good or bad—
contribute to the developmental growth of their children.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
4
End of Lesson 4
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Lesson
4
Childhood Development
Developmental Tasks
• Erik Erikson, a psychologist, has developed one of the most
widely accepted theories of development.
• According
to Erikson, each individual passes through eight
A developmental
developmental
stagesthat
during his or her life.
task
involves events
need to happen in order
• Each stage is characterized by developmental tasks.
for a person to continue
growing toward
becoming a healthy,
mature adult.
Lesson
4
Childhood Development
Role of Parents During Early Childhood
If parents accept the child’s need to do
whatever he or she is capable of, the child
will develop a sense of autonomy.
Autonomy is
the confidence that
If parents
are overprotective
a person
can control or critical of
the child’s
child may
his orbehaviors,
her own the
body,
develop
doubts about
impulses,
and his or her abilities.
environment.
Lesson
4
Health Screenings in Childhood
Scoliosis
• Scoliosis may begin in childhood and go unnoticed until the
teen years.
Scoliosis is a
• Its exact cause is unknown, though it is more common in
lateral, or side-togirls.
side, curvature of
thepublic
spine.schools make it a policy to check for scoliosis in
• Many
middle school.
Lesson
4
Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! Developmental tasks are events that need to
happen in order for a person to continue growing toward
becoming a healthy, mature adult.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
4
Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try
again, or click Next to view the correct answer.
Lesson
4
Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! The ability to do tasks for oneself and develop a
sense of autonomy are two developmental tasks that
need to be accomplished in early childhood.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
4
Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try
again, or click Next to view the correct answer.
Lesson
4
Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! Health screenings for vision, hearing, and
scoliosis are usually provided by schools.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
4
Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try
again, or click Next to view the correct answer.
Lesson
4
Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! The nurturing actions of parents—good or
bad—contribute to the developmental growth of their
children.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
4
Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try
again, or click Next to view the correct answer.