The Young Child
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, children from birth to eight years are considered to be young children.
Key information
Development Milestones
As a Busy Parent, What Can I Do To Support My Child’s Social and Emotional Health?
We want to help our children succeed in school. We want them to grow up and have good jobs and happy lives. Relationships with adults are critical to young children's healthy growth and development. Pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton has promoted the need for nurturance to begin at birth. There are other very critical skills a child needs to have in order to be ready to learn. These are called social and emotional skills.
1. Gently hold and cuddle your child often.
2. Respond to your child’s efforts to communicate with you.
3. Enrich your child’s daily routines (e.g., meal, bath and nap times) by making eye contact and sharing smiles, conversations, stories and books.
4. Take time to follow your child’s lead.
5. Gently guide your child through social situations.
6. Be consistent
7. Be open and honest
8. Celebrate Strengths
Glossary
Infants
Birth to 1
Toddlers
1 year to 3 years
Preschoolers
3 years to 5 years
Kindergartners
5 years to 6 years
Primary
6 years to 8 years
Physical Growth
Development of the body and its parts
Motor Development
Development of skill in the use of the body and its parts