Child Development

Knowledge of child development is the foundation for work with children, and therefore is a requirement for all those seeking to protect children. It influences every aspect of a child from physical growth and mental abilities, to how they express emotions, think and behave.

Healthy development takes children through stages, whereby they obtain an increasing number of physical, mental, and emotional skills in order to become independent adults. These stages provide benchmarks for determining if a child is developing normally. Without knowledge of the normal developmental stages of a child, a worker cannot identify developmental delays, assess the impact of abuse, or make recommendations regarding the child’s physical, mental or emotional health. Understanding what a child is capable of allows adults to communicate on their level and provide age-appropriate responses and interventions.

Knowledge of early childhood development and attachment behaviour is particularly important for protection workers. The physical health and care a child experiences as an infant will affect their development into adulthood. A child needs to have experienced a positive attachment by the age of 3 in order to develop cognitively, physically, socially, and psychologically. Healthy attachments come from the close bond a child experiences when provided with the responsive and stable care of at least one adult. In a residential home, children are less likely to receive the amount of individual attention from a permanent caretaker that they require. Children under 12, in particular, benefit more from a kinship, foster or adoption placement where they can experience closer relationships.

Observation of a child’s attachment to caretakers will influence the type of care, permanency plan, and level of support services offered. It can also aid in the identification of abuse.

This section contains information on the importance of child development knowledge, guidance on the ages and stages of children, and attachment theory.

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Dignifying Hidden Lives: The Institutionalization of Any Impact Child Development

Messias Silvano da Silva Filho, Jose Antonio de Lima Neto, Ivana Rios Rodrigues, Modesto Leite Rolim Neto - Current Pediatric Research, 16 May 2016

The results of this study suggest that the removal of a child from an institution and its transfer to an improved care environment can lead to a reduced risk of psychopathology, as well as promoting a better social, emotional and cognitive development.

From Best Practices to Breakthrough Impacts: A science-based approach to building a more promising future for young children and families

Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University, 04 May 2016

This report from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University provides an overview of the science of early childhood development, particularly brain development and the impacts that early experiences have on brain development.

Effect of yoga program on executive functions of adolescents dwelling in an orphan home: A randomized controlled study

Satya Prakash Purohit & Balaram Pradhan - Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 20 Apr 2016

This study implemented a 3-month yoga program with orphan adolescents in Bangalore, India and evaulated the impact of the program on adolescent executive functioning.

The Impact of Internal Migration on Early Childhood Well-Being and Development

UNICEF Thailand, 01 Apr 2016

This is a longitudinal mixed-method study investigating the impact of parental migration on early childhood well-being and development in Thailand.

ผลกระทบของการย้ายถิ่นภายในประเทศที่มีต่อสุขภาวะ และพัฒนาการเด็กปฐมวัย (The Impact of Internal Migration on Early Childhood Well-Being and Development)

UNICEF Thailand, 01 Apr 2016

This is a longitudinal mixed-method study investigating the impact of parental migration on early childhood well-being and development in Thailand. This report presents the baseline results of quantitative and qualitative surveys.

Charles Nelson - Romania's Abandoned Children

Charles Nelson - Brainwaves Video Anthology, 15 Mar 2016

In this video from the Brainwaves Video Anthology, Dr. Charles Nelson shares some findings from his research on the impacts of deprivation on children's cognitive and brain development through the Bucharest Early Intervention Project.

The National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy Action Plan (2016-2021) of Uganda

Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, 01 Mar 2016

The National Integrated Early Childhood Development (NIECD) policy of Uganda seeks to address multi-dimensional needs of young children through building more effective and coherent efforts among sectors to achieve positive early childhood development out comes for all children.

Internationally adopted children's general and adoption-specific stressors, coping strategies and psychological adjustment

Marta Reinoso, Noemí Pereda, Linda Van den Dries and Carlos G. Forero - Child and Family Social Work, 01 Feb 2016

This study examined stress, coping and psychological adjustment of 68 children, aged 8–12, who were internationally adopted to Spain.

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The State of the Ugandan Child: An Analytical Overview

Walakira, E.J., D. Muhangi, S. Munyuwiny, F. Matovu, E. Awich, I. Ddumba Nyanzi, J. Kayiwa, J. Akellot, P. Mubiri, J. Majugo, A. Mutebi, M. Ruiz-Rodriguez - USAID, 2016

The State of the Ugandan Child: An Analytical Overview focuses on four thematic areas, namely: health and nutrition, education, child protection and child participation; with emphasis placed on the girl child.

Lighting up young brains: How parents, carers and nurseries support children’s brain development in the first five years

Jerome Finnegan - Save the Children, 2016

This report from Save the Children outlines the rapid development that takes place in the brain in the early years of life and the crucial role that caregivers play in supporting this development.