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Child Development

What is the specialty of Child Development:

Child development includes the biological, psychological, and emotional changes that occur in humans between birth and the end of adolescence. Childhood is divided into three stages of life which include early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. Early childhood usually ranges from infancy to 6 years of age. During this period, development is important, as many life milestones occur during this time period such as first words, learning to crawl, learning to walk. There is speculation that middle childhood or age 6-9 are the most important years in a child's life, from the beginning of some types of formal education to the onset of puberty, and this is also the period when many children begin to gain a greater sense of self. Adolescence is a stage of life that usually begins around the time of puberty, all the way to legal adulthood. In the course of evolution, the individual human progresses from dependence to increasing independence. It is an ongoing process with a predictable sequence, yet it involves a path unique to each child. It does not progress at the same rate and each stage is affected by previous developmental experiences. Because genetic factors and events during the prenatal period may strongly influence developmental changes, genetics and prenatal development usually form part of the study of child development. Related terms include developmental psychology, referring to development throughout the life course, and pediatrics, the branch of medicine related to the care of children.

Developmental change may occur as a result of genetically controlled processes known as maturation, or as a result of environmental factors and learning, but most commonly involves an interaction between the two. It may also occur as a result of human nature and human ability to learn from the environment.

There are different definitions of periods in a child's development, as each period is a continuum with individual differences regarding beginning and end. Some periods of age-related growth and examples of specific periods include newborn (0 to 4 weeks); an infant (from 4 weeks to 1 year); a small child (from 12 months to 24 months); preschool (from 2 to 5 years); school-age child (from 6 to 12 years old); Teenager (13 to 19 years old).

Promoting child development through parental training, among other factors, promotes excellent rates of child growth. Parents play a huge role in a child's activities, socialization, and development. Having multiple parents can add stability to a child's life and thus encourage healthy development. Another influential factor in children's development is the quality of their care. Childcare programs may be beneficial to childhood development such as learning abilities and social skills.

The optimal development of children is vital to society and it is important to understand children's social, cognitive, emotional, and educational development. Increased research and interest in this area have led to new theories and strategies, with particular regard to practice that promotes development within the school system. Some theories seek to describe a series of states that make up a child's development.

History of Child Development Specialization:

As a scientific discipline with a firm empirical basis, the study of the child is relatively recent. It began in 1840 when Charles Darwin began recording the growth and development of one of his sons, collecting data as if he were studying an unknown species. A similar and more detailed study published by German physiological psychologist William Breyer offered methods for other series. In 1891, the American educational psychologist G. Stanley Hall School of Education, a periodical devoted to child psychology and pedagogy. During the early 20th century, the development of intelligence tests and the establishment of child guidance clinics defined the field of child psychology.

The importance of studying the specialty of Child Development:

Perhaps most importantly, the study of human development makes it easy to spot potential signs of problems. From cognitive, social, or emotional development problems in early childhood to struggles later in life, being able to identify potential problems is important.

Child Development courses:

  • Recent trends in child-rearing
  • Communication and Public Relations
  • Children's literature and children's culture
  • Guidance for teenage children
  • Children with disabilities
  • Social legislation and child protection
  • The development of language and thinking in the child
  • Child behavior modification

Fields of work for the Child Development major:

  • Nursery and Kindergarten teachers.
  • Child life specialist
  • Preschool and child care manager.
  • Child and developmental psychologist.
  • Education requirements.
  • Nanny

Best Universities for Child Development in Turkey:

  • Istanbul Gelisim University
  • Istanbul Uskudar University
  • Istanbul Aydin University
  • Istanbul Medipol University
  • Istanbul Arel University