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’ll learn to:
Identify and explain the developmental tasks of childhood.
Analyze the influence of laws and policies on health-related
issues, including health screenings for children.
Research various school and community health services that
offer 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
Childhood Development
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.
Lesson 4
Childhood Development
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
Childhood Development
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.
Lesson 4
Childhood Development
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
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. Define developmental tasks.
Click Next to view the answer.
Lesson 4
Quick Review - Answer
A. 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
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. What developmental task must be accomplished in early
childhood?
Click Next to view the answer.
Lesson 4
Quick Review - Answer
A. 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
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. Which health screenings are usually provided by schools?
Click Next to view the answer.
Lesson 4
Quick Review - Answer
A. Health screenings for vision, hearing, and scoliosis are
usually provided by schools.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson 4
Quick Review
Provide an appropriate answer.
How do the actions of parents contribute to the developmental
tasks of their 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
A developmental
developmental
stages that
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 an
Its exact cause is unknown, though it is more common in
abnormal lateral, or
girls.
side-to-side,
curvature
of the make it a policy to check for scoliosis in
Many
public schools
spine.
middle
school.