Early childhood is a period of rapid change in the brain, body, and ways of thinking. This lesson introduces how the age range is described, how physical abilities develop, and how Piaget’s theory explains children’s thinking.
Early childhood generally follows infancy and precedes middle childhood. The boundaries depend on context: psychology commonly uses the term for birth to about age five or six, while discussions of development may include toddlerhood and some years afterward. Play age is an informal, imprecise designation that overlaps with early childhood.
All flashcards
What is myelination?
Myelination is the development of insulating layers around neural fibers. It supports more efficient communication within the developing brain.
How do gross motor skills differ from fine motor skills?
Gross motor skills use large muscles for movements such as walking and running. Fine motor skills use smaller muscles and precise coordination, as in writing or picking up small objects.
What is characteristic of Piaget’s sensorimotor stage?
From birth to about age two, children explore and learn through sensory experiences and actions such as seeing, touching, hearing, and reaching.
What does egocentrism mean in Piaget’s description of early thinking?
It is difficulty recognizing that other people may have viewpoints or knowledge different from one’s own. It does not mean that a child is selfish.
What is centration?
Centration is a tendency to focus on one especially noticeable feature of a situation while overlooking other relevant features.
Quiz questions
In discussions of child development, how is early childhood generally situated?Answer: It follows infancy and precedes middle childhood, though its boundaries vary by context.
A child says a table is angry after bumping into it. Which concept from Piaget’s account best describes this?Answer: Animistic thinking, or attributing human feelings or intentions to objects.
Why can it be difficult to measure changes in self-regulation among children ages three to seven?Answer: Development can change rapidly during this age range, making the timing of progress hard to determine.
Research finds an association between family circumstances and behavioral challenges in some children. What conclusion is warranted?Answer: The association does not by itself show that a particular circumstance caused a child’s behavior.
How can playing with blocks provide a holistic learning experience for a young child?Answer: It can combine movement, communication, problem-solving, cooperation, and managing frustration.
Based on the Wikipedia article Early childhood, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.