Physical, Cognitive, Emotional and Social Development in Early Childhood

Running Head : Social Development in Early Childhood

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During infancy , though body systems differ in their patterns of maturity , body size as well as the internal organs ' growth obeys a general growth curve . There is a rapid growth during the first two years , which slows down eventually to an average of 2 to 3 inches in height and 5 pounds in weight . Boys are not only observed to be larger than girls , but are also leaner due to less accumulated fat . As the torso

lengthens and widens , the spine straightens while internal organs gets tucked in place , improving posture and balance . These supports gains in motor coordination . In terms of skeletal growth , 45 new growth centers are visible at different parts of the skeleton in children between the ages of 2 and 6 years (Burns , 2000

The brain develops by 70 to 90 percent among preschoolers , making them have remarkably advanced reasoning when presented with familiar situations and simplified problems . They also show poor performance when distinguishing appearance with reality , due to the trouble they have with the language of these tasks . However , they are able to grasp this during their third years . The child develops hand preference , which is a reflection of the dominance of the cerebral hemisphere to carry out skilled motor action . Both heredity and hormones have been known to affect physical growth and health . Absence of emotional wellbeing hinders production of growth hormones , while sleep deprivation leads to a less release of the growth hormone . According to Piaget 's theory pre-schoolers moves from the sensorimotor stage to the pre-operational stage , leading to an incredible increase in mental representation . As a result , children engages in make-believe play which helps them strengthen and improve newly acquired skills . At 3 years , most children are able to relate symbols with the real world , with those younger than this suffering from dual representation . Piaget also noted that children who have rigid thinking , suffers from egocentrism and animistic thinking . At the preoperational stage , they have a centred understanding with a lack of reversibility and hierarchical classification , as well as inability to distinguish appearance from reality . Pre-schoolers shows some remarkably advanced reasoning when presented with familiar situations and simplified problems (Stork , 2008

They also show poor performance when distinguishing appearance with reality , due to the trouble they have with the language of these tasks However , they are able to grasp this during their third years Vygotsky 's sociocultural theory stresses the social context of cognitive development . Vygotsky postulated that the child and the social environment are in a collaboration that molds cognition in culturally adaptive ways . At the early stage of development , the preschoolers ability to participate in social dialogues with more knowledgeable individuals increases due to a rapid growth in language (Knecht et al 2000

According to Erikson 's theory of initiative versus guilt , young children have a new sense of purposefulness . They are not only eager to tackle new tasks , but also join in the activities of...