Early Childhood: Physical, Cognitive, and Language Development

Physical & Cognitive Development

Social interaction with peers

The purpose of play is to play!

• Play is important in the development of memory, attention, and concept knowledge.
• 2 yrs - Parallel Play
• 4 yrs - Association Play
• 6 yrs - Cooperation Play

• Mildred Parten
• 1) Unoccupied
• 2) Onlooker Play
• 3) Solitary Play
• 4) Parallel Play
• 5) Associated Play
• 6) Cooperative Play

• 1) Sensory play
• 2) Constructive with games & rituals
• 3) Rough-&-tumble play
• 4) Play with language
• 5) Dramatic or modeling play
• 6) Play with motion

• Ages 3 to 5
•   - Fantasy & Exploration
•   - Language Readiness
•   - Arithmetic Readiness
• Ages 6 to 8
•   - Social Development/Cooperation
•   - Cognitive & Perceptual Motor Skills
•   - Creative Expression
• Ages 9 to 11
•   - Problem-Solving Abilities
•   - Small-Motor Skills
•   - Strategic Abilities
• Ages 12 & Up
•   - Abstract Thinking/Reasoning
•   - Independent Living Skills
•   - Comfort with Technology

• Aggressive behavior and prosocial behavior 
• More exposed and vulnerable.

• Separation Anxiety
• Fear of Monsters
• Fear of Doctors and Dentists
• School Phobias
• Fear of Animals and/or Insects
• Fear of Water
• Fear of the Dark

• How to tell if a fear goes beyond what is normal

• Questions to ask

• Used unconsciously to deal with stress, anxiety, and guilt
•   1) Withdrawal
•   2) Identification
•   3) Projection
•   4) Displacement
•   5) Denial
•   6) Repression
•   7) Regression
•   8) Reaction Formation
•   9) Rationalization

• 1) If it aids the child in understanding him/herself and others
• 2) Aids in developing ideas, values, and beliefs
• 3) Promotes the growth of interests
• 4) Promotes language development
• 5) Provides wholesome enjoyment
• 6) Fosters appreciation of well-written and well-illustrated materials
• 7) Fosters understanding of the world
• 8) Fosters understanding of children’s responsibilities

• 1) Encourages passivity
• 2) Overly exciting and emotionally disturbing, shows torture and punishment
• 3) Is prejudiced and presents people as stereotypes
• 4) Glamorizes crime, greed, cruelty, and undesirable qualities
• 5) Adds nothing to child’s knowledge
• 6) Uses unsuitable vocabulary
• 7) Distorts reality
• 8) Too mature
• 9) Is boring