CAD1501
NOTES
,INTRODUCTION
1
In this module, you will learn how children grow and develop. We will review
different aspects and different stages of development and growth throughout the
life of a child until adulthood (from before birth until the age of 18).
Age Stage
Conception to birth Prenatal
Birth to 12 months Early childhood: The infancy
12–36 months Early childhood: The toddler
3–6/7 years Early childhood: The preschooler
7–12 years Middle childhood
12–18 years Adolescence
FIGuRE 1
Different ages and the stages of child and adolescent development
In this module we will do the following:
• Introduce you to different theories of child and adolescent development from
diverse cultural perspectives.
• Give special attention to cultural differences in the developmental tasks that
children and adolescents need to master.
• Discuss factors that may influence the mastering of developmental tasks.
The module includes different activities and tasks that will guide you through the
body of work. It will be in your best interest if you work through all the activities,
and not only the ones for assessment purposes. Your tutorial letters will refer you
to websites to assist you in completing the different activities. You have to complete
all the required activities and tasks for assessment purposes. The completion of
activities and a portfolio serves as proof that you meet the outcome requirements
of the module, namely:
• A basic understanding of the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and moral
development of children and adolescents including prenatal development.
• Knowledge of the factors that influence child and adolescent development putting
the child and adolescent at risk.
The units in this module are as follows:
• Study unit 1 is about whole-child development. We will explore and explain all
the areas of the development of children and adolescents.
• Study unit 2 will familiarise you with different developmental theories that will
help us to understand child development.
• In Study unit 3 we will look into the development of the child before birth, also
named the prenatal stage.
,INTRODuCTION
• Study unit 4 will cover all aspects of the growth and development during infancy
and early childhood.
• In study unit 5 we will study the development of the child during middle
childhood.
• Study unit 6 will explain the development of the adolescent.
Hopefully, you will find this module interesting and useful. Contact your lecturers
and tutors if you do not understand the work and/or do not understand what is
expected from you.
FIGuRE 2
Overview of the unit
, STuDy uNIT 1
1
Introduction
1
We will start this unit with Sifiso’s story. We all have our own stories and we are all
shaped by our stories. Our stories tell how we became what we are, how we learned,
grew and developed on different levels. Sifiso’s story will show you how we are
affected and formed by our surroundings and circumstance. You will see how all
aspects of the child are influenced and facilitated to grow and mature.
In order to enable us to understand the full process of development, we will study five
areas of child growth and development. They are the physical, cognitive (thinking),
emotional, social and normative (moral) areas of being human. These five areas
represent all the qualities of a human being. It is referred to as the holistic development
of the child. If we are interested in child development all five areas must be taken
into account. We must look at the child as a whole.
We must also keep in mind that development is influenced by nature and nurture.
• Nature refers to the biological characteristics that are inherited from the parents.
• Nurture refers to environmental influences such as social and cultural communities
in which the child grows up.
THIS uNIT WILL HELP yOu TO
• understand what the term “whole-child” development means
• explain aspects, keywords and concepts of the five areas of development
• understand the whole child and development in different cultures
• be able to apply them to Sifiso’s development
CONTENT OF THIS uNIT
1.1 Sifiso’s story
1.2 Development and growth
1.3 Aspects of whole-child development
1.3.1 Physical aspects
1.3.2 Cognitive aspects
1.3.3 Emotional aspects
1.3.4 Social aspects
1.3.5 Moral aspects
1.4 The whole child and cultural differences
1.5 Conclusion
NOTES
,INTRODUCTION
1
In this module, you will learn how children grow and develop. We will review
different aspects and different stages of development and growth throughout the
life of a child until adulthood (from before birth until the age of 18).
Age Stage
Conception to birth Prenatal
Birth to 12 months Early childhood: The infancy
12–36 months Early childhood: The toddler
3–6/7 years Early childhood: The preschooler
7–12 years Middle childhood
12–18 years Adolescence
FIGuRE 1
Different ages and the stages of child and adolescent development
In this module we will do the following:
• Introduce you to different theories of child and adolescent development from
diverse cultural perspectives.
• Give special attention to cultural differences in the developmental tasks that
children and adolescents need to master.
• Discuss factors that may influence the mastering of developmental tasks.
The module includes different activities and tasks that will guide you through the
body of work. It will be in your best interest if you work through all the activities,
and not only the ones for assessment purposes. Your tutorial letters will refer you
to websites to assist you in completing the different activities. You have to complete
all the required activities and tasks for assessment purposes. The completion of
activities and a portfolio serves as proof that you meet the outcome requirements
of the module, namely:
• A basic understanding of the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and moral
development of children and adolescents including prenatal development.
• Knowledge of the factors that influence child and adolescent development putting
the child and adolescent at risk.
The units in this module are as follows:
• Study unit 1 is about whole-child development. We will explore and explain all
the areas of the development of children and adolescents.
• Study unit 2 will familiarise you with different developmental theories that will
help us to understand child development.
• In Study unit 3 we will look into the development of the child before birth, also
named the prenatal stage.
,INTRODuCTION
• Study unit 4 will cover all aspects of the growth and development during infancy
and early childhood.
• In study unit 5 we will study the development of the child during middle
childhood.
• Study unit 6 will explain the development of the adolescent.
Hopefully, you will find this module interesting and useful. Contact your lecturers
and tutors if you do not understand the work and/or do not understand what is
expected from you.
FIGuRE 2
Overview of the unit
, STuDy uNIT 1
1
Introduction
1
We will start this unit with Sifiso’s story. We all have our own stories and we are all
shaped by our stories. Our stories tell how we became what we are, how we learned,
grew and developed on different levels. Sifiso’s story will show you how we are
affected and formed by our surroundings and circumstance. You will see how all
aspects of the child are influenced and facilitated to grow and mature.
In order to enable us to understand the full process of development, we will study five
areas of child growth and development. They are the physical, cognitive (thinking),
emotional, social and normative (moral) areas of being human. These five areas
represent all the qualities of a human being. It is referred to as the holistic development
of the child. If we are interested in child development all five areas must be taken
into account. We must look at the child as a whole.
We must also keep in mind that development is influenced by nature and nurture.
• Nature refers to the biological characteristics that are inherited from the parents.
• Nurture refers to environmental influences such as social and cultural communities
in which the child grows up.
THIS uNIT WILL HELP yOu TO
• understand what the term “whole-child” development means
• explain aspects, keywords and concepts of the five areas of development
• understand the whole child and development in different cultures
• be able to apply them to Sifiso’s development
CONTENT OF THIS uNIT
1.1 Sifiso’s story
1.2 Development and growth
1.3 Aspects of whole-child development
1.3.1 Physical aspects
1.3.2 Cognitive aspects
1.3.3 Emotional aspects
1.3.4 Social aspects
1.3.5 Moral aspects
1.4 The whole child and cultural differences
1.5 Conclusion
