Developmental Stages of Infancy and Early Childhood

Study Notes

Characterized by rapid physical growth and development
Dependence on caregivers for basic needs
Language development: cooing, babbling, and beginning to understand simple words and phrases
Cognitive development: learning to recognize and respond to familiar faces and objects
Social-emotional development: forming attachments to caregivers and beginning to develop trust

Continued rapid physical growth and development
Language development: using simple sentences and vocabulary, and beginning to understand simple stories
Cognitive development: learning to problem-solve, use objects correctly, and demonstrate an understanding of object permanence
Social-emotional development: developing a sense of autonomy, testing boundaries, and beginning to show independence

Continued language development: using around 50 words and beginning to combine two words together
Cognitive development: improving problem-solving skills, using tools and objects correctly, and demonstrating an understanding of causality
Social-emotional development: testing limits, asserting independence, and beginning to develop friendships

Physical changes: decline in physical abilities, sensory changes, and increased risk of chronic diseases
Cognitive development: potential decline in cognitive abilities, especially memory and processing speed
Social-emotional development: reflecting on life experiences, developing a sense of wisdom, and potentially experiencing social isolation
Psychosocial development: finding meaning and purpose in life, and developing a sense of integrity

Physical changes: rapid growth and development, puberty, and changes in body shape and size
Cognitive development: developing more complex thinking skills, such as abstract thinking and problem-solving
Social-emotional development: forming identities, developing relationships with peers, and potentially experiencing emotional turmoil
Psychosocial development: exploring roles and identities, developing a sense of autonomy, and potentially experiencing conflict with authority figures

Rapid physical growth and dependence on caregivers for basic needs
Language development: cooing, babbling, and understanding simple words and phrases
Cognitive development: recognizing and responding to familiar faces and objects
Social-emotional development: forming attachments to caregivers and developing trust

Continued rapid physical growth and development
Language development: using simple sentences and vocabulary, and understanding simple stories
Cognitive development: problem-solving, using objects correctly, and demonstrating object permanence
Social-emotional development: developing autonomy, testing boundaries, and showing independence

Language development: using around 50 words and combining two words together
Cognitive development: improving problem-solving skills, using tools correctly, and understanding causality
Social-emotional development: testing limits, asserting independence, and developing friendships

Physical changes: decline in physical abilities, sensory changes, and increased risk of chronic diseases
Cognitive development: potential decline in cognitive abilities, especially memory and processing speed
Social-emotional development: reflecting on life experiences, developing wisdom, and potentially experiencing social isolation
Psychosocial development: finding meaning and purpose in life, and developing integrity

Physical changes: rapid growth, puberty, and changes in body shape and size
Cognitive development: developing complex thinking skills, such as abstract thinking and problem-solving
Social-emotional development: forming identities, developing relationships with peers, and potentially experiencing emotional turmoil
Psychosocial development: exploring roles and identities, developing autonomy, and potentially experiencing conflict with authority figures