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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Attachment Relationships: Quality Care of Young Children

Jay Belsky, Judit Gerval, Karin Grossmann, Michael E. Lamb, Mary MacLeod, Matthew Sanders and Marinus van Ijzendoorn, 2007

An exploration of various contributing factors with regard to attachment relationships from early childhood to adulthood.

Overuse of institutional care for children in Europe

Kevin Browne, Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis, Rebecca Johnson, Mikael Ostergren , 25 Feb 2006

This article discusses the use of institutional care for children in Europe and shows that it remains common place despite the evidence of harm for children, including attachment disorder and developmental delay.

The Effects of Foster Care Intervention on Socially Deprived Institutionalized Children's Attention and Positive Affect

Melissa M. Ghera, Peter J. Marshall, Nathan A. Fox, Charles H. Zeanah, 2006

The study examined the effects of a foster care intervention on attention and emotion expression in socially deprived children in Romanian institutions

Provisional Protective Measures: The Principles to Be Observed During the Institutionalization of a Child (2 of 3)

International Social Service and International Reference Center for the Rights of Children Deprived of their Family (ISS/IRC), 2006

A brief 2-page overview of appropriate residential institution characteristics. Includes information on staffing, and the optimum size of each family-like unit.

Young Children and HIV: Strengthening Family and Community Support

International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 2006

Practical guidance on dealing with young children in the context of HIV/AIDS. Focuses on the developmental needs of children affected by HIV/AIDS. Also focuses on care and treatment provision for children who are HIV-positive.

Violence Against Children in Care and Justice Institutions

United Nations Secretary General's Study on Violence Against Children , 2006

This is a chapter from the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Children that specifically explores the factors contributing to violence against children in institutional care and justice institutions. This chapter includes sections on the sources of violence against children in institutional care, the impact of institutional care on children’s health and development, and the populations of children most likely to become institutionalized.

Promising Practices: Promoting Early Childhood Development for OVC in Resource Constrained Settings (The 5x5 Model)

CARE, USAID, Hope for African Children Initiative, 2006

Overview of a CARE’s 5x5 Model, designed as an early childhood development intervention for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in order to provide long-term physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive benefits.

Children In Development

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), 2006

A list of bi-lateral and multilateral funding agencies for child protection. Includes names, email addresses, and particular area of focus.

Early Childhood Development Kit: Guideline for Caregivers

UNICEF ECD Unit / ECD Emergency Task Force, Program Division, 2005

Guidelines for caregivers of children in emergency situations, with a focus on the role of play in childhood learning and development. Includes a comprehensive list of suggested activities.

First of All... The Social Part of Psycho-Social Support

Andy West, 2005

Emphasizes the social dimensions of psychosocial support interventions, including participatory groupwork and a focus on reducing stigma and discrimination. Argues that psychological interventions such as counseling should never be a first step.