Child Development Stages: Milestones and Emotional Growth
Child Development: Stages and Milestones (0-12 Years)
Childhood, spanning from ages 0 to 12, is a period of rapid change and transformation. During these early years, children undergo significant development in acquiring skills and mastering biological and psychological functions. Development varies by age group:
First Year of Life: Rapid Brain Development
- Brain evolution is very rapid.
- Reflexes increase.
- Motor development allows for increasing control over movements.
- Examples: Holding head straight (1-3 months), walking alone or with assistance (12 months).
- The child begins to form a dual relationship, often with their mother or primary caregiver, establishing a strong bond. This relationship fundamentally shapes the child’s emotional evolution.
- The child begins recognizing people from their environment, differentiating between familiar faces and strangers, leading to “stranger anxiety” around eight months.
- Interaction with others occurs through the senses and physical contact. For example, the mouth experiences satisfactions, but also frustrations such as weaning, which affects emotional development.
1 to 3 Years: Symbolism and Language
- Children use symbols to represent absent objects.
- First words appear, leading to language use as a means of thought and expression.
- Around 18 months, a child recognizes their reflection in a mirror, marking the first mental representation of self.
- Walking improves, granting greater autonomy and the ability to explore the environment, though fear of losing affection or parental neglect may arise.
- A phase of opposition emerges, with the child consistently opposing requests, showing rebellion and stubbornness to get what they want.
- Children enjoy the company of other children and sharing games, though play remains disorganized and possessive.
3 to 7 Years: Social and Emotional Growth
- The dual relationship with the mother evolves into a triangular relationship with both parents (Oedipus complex). This involves a desire for exclusive possession of the parent of the opposite sex and feelings of hostility toward the parent of the same sex.
- This process is typically resolved through identification with the same-sex parent and renunciation of the other, usually by ages 6-7.
- Schooling promotes autonomy and group relations. Children accept greater personal independence and can perform many activities independently (e.g., dressing themselves).
- Children at this age tend to be noisy, impulsive, and imaginative, enjoying talking and social interaction.
- Feelings of envy, rivalry, and jealousy emerge strongly.
- Children discover the differences between boys and girls.
- Brain maturity enables learning to read and write.
- Play serves as a function of exploration and assimilation of reality, playing a key role in intellectual, social, and emotional development.
- By the end of this stage (5-6 years), children show interest in rules for games like hide-and-seek or Parcheesi.
7 to 12 Years: Logical Reasoning and Socialization
- Children master their impulses and channel them into cultural interests.
- They begin to understand and use logical reasoning, becoming more reflective and responsible with greater concentration.
- The socialization process strengthens, and group relationships evolve, modifying feelings of rivalry toward more cooperative attitudes.
- Definitive character traits are consolidated, and sexual identity is reaffirmed, with children grouping by gender and establishing serious friendships.
- Feelings of shame and embarrassment related to the body emerge.
- Children become more independent from adults and begin guarding their privacy, keeping secrets among themselves.