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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Violence prevention: the evidence

WHO and Liverpool John Moores University, 2009

This report brings together an eight-part series of briefings on the evidence for interventions to prevent interpersonal and self-directed violence. By spotlighting evidence for the effectiveness of interventions, the series provides clear directions for how violence prevention funders, policy makers and programme implementers can boost the impact of their violence prevention efforts.

ARC resource pack: Study material - Foundation module 1: Understanding childhoods

ARC, 2009

This module aims to equip those responding in emergencies with an introduction to the theory and practice of working with children and of children’s rights.

Shaping the Future: Through the Voices of African Parents

African Child Policy Forum & International Child Support , 2009

This publication documents real life stories of selected African parents, shedding light on the multifaceted challenges parents are faced with and the kind of support they need to bring about behavioral change and enhanced capacity.

Preventing violence through the development of safe, stable and nurturing relationships between children and their parents and caregivers

WHO and Liverpool John Moores University, 2009

This briefing looks at the effectiveness of interventions that encourage safe, stable and nurturing relationships for preventing child maltreatment and aggressive behaviour in childhood. The focus is on primary prevention programmes, those that are implemented early enough to avoid the development of violent behaviour such as child maltreatment and childhood aggression.

Child Development Index

Save the Children UK, 2009

Analysis of the considerable variation between countries, globally and within regions in terms of the rights, opportunities and wellbeing that children enjoy and the national political and policy choices affecting them.

IQ of Children Growing Up in Children's Homes A Meta-Analysis on IQ Delays in Orphanages

Marinus H. van IJzendoorn, Maartje P. C. M. Luijk, and Femmie Juffer - Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, Volume 54, Number 3, 01 Jul 2008

In this meta-analysis of 75 studies on more than 3,888 children in 19 different countries, the intellectual development of children living in children's homes (orphanages) was compared with that of children living with their (foster) families.

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UNICEF Child Protection Strategy - English

UNICEF, 07 Jun 2008

Outlines the contributions of UNICEF to national and international efforts to fulfill children’s right to protection.

Promoting Resilience in Young People in Long-Term in Long-Term Care: The Relevance of Roles and Relationships in the Domains of Recreation and Work

Robbie Gilligan, 01 May 2008

This paper seeks to highlight the resilience‐enhancing potential for vulnerable young people of roles and relationships in the domains of recreation and work. The paper explores its theme through a specific focus on the needs of young people in long‐term care.

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The Relationship between Institutional Care and the International Adoption of Children in Europe

Shihning Chou and Kevin Browne, 07 Mar 2008

Explores causal relationship between increased international adoption and increase in institutional care of children in Europe.