Child Development

1. Cognitive Development
   1. Infancy
      1. Sensorimotor Stage
         1. Object Permanence
            1. Understanding that objects continue to exist even when not visible
            2. Experimentation with hidden objects to reinforce concept
         2. Memory Development
            1. Recognition memory: distinguishing familiar from unfamiliar
            2. Recall memory: retrieving prior information in absence of cues
            3. Role of repeated exposure in memory enhancement
   2. Early Childhood
      1. Preoperational Stage
         1. Symbolic Thinking
            1. Use of symbols to represent objects and experiences
            2. Development of pretend play and imagination
            3. Transition from physical to mental problem-solving
         2. Egocentrism
            1. Tendency to view the world solely from personal perspective
            2. Limited ability to understand others’ viewpoints
            3. Exercises to reduce egocentric thinking
         3. Language Development
            1. Vocabulary growth and word acquisition
            2. Grammar and syntax learning
            3. Narrative development: ability to tell coherent stories
      2. Development of Imagination
         1. Role play and dramatic play in cognitive and social development
         2. Fantasy vs. reality distinction
         3. Cognitive benefits of imaginative activities
   3. Middle Childhood
      1. Concrete Operational Stage
         1. Logical Thinking
            1. Use of logic in practical situations
            2. Understanding cause and effect relationships
            3. Solving problems with concrete evidence
         2. Conservation
            1. Understanding that quantity remains same despite change in shape or arrangement
            2. Tasks involving liquid quantities, number, mass, and volume
         3. Reversibility
            1. Comprehension of that objects can be returned to their original state
            2. Understanding in concepts such as addition and subtraction
      2. Information Processing
         1. Development of attention span and concentration
         2. Enhancement of short-term and working memory
         3. Strategies for information retrieval and organization
         4. Metacognition: awareness of one’s own learning processes
   4. Adolescence
      1. Formal Operational Stage
         1. Abstract Thinking
            1. Ability to think about concepts and ideas that are not physically present
            2. Engage in hypothetical and deductive reasoning
            3. Complex problem-solving involving multiple variables
         2. Problem-Solving
            1. Use of systematic methods for solving complex problems
            2. Development of reasoning skills suitable for scientific thought
            3. Balancing multiple perspectives and potential solutions
         3. Moral Reasoning
            1. Shift from concrete, black-and-white rules to more abstract, ideal-based thinking
            2. Exploration of ethical dilemmas and moral principles
            3. Influence of peer and societal values on moral judgments