Physical Development
Physical development involves the biological changes in the body. Physical development includes genetics, fetal growth, the birth process, brain development, and development of motor skills (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2013). Physical development is crucial to the development of the other domains. Gross and fine motor skills are the two most critical aspects of physical development. The term "gross motor" development refers to physical skills that use large body movements, normally involving the entire body (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2013) . Fine motor skills involve engaging in smaller, more precise movements, normally using the hands and fingers. Fine motor skills are different than gross motor skills which require less precision to perform (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2013) .The Betty Hardwick Center has provided a great layout of the physical milestones that children go through during the early childhood stages.
http://bhcmhmr.org/poc/view_doc.php?&id=12755&cn=462
Physical development involves the biological changes in the body. Physical development includes genetics, fetal growth, the birth process, brain development, and development of motor skills (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2013). Physical development is crucial to the development of the other domains. Gross and fine motor skills are the two most critical aspects of physical development. The term "gross motor" development refers to physical skills that use large body movements, normally involving the entire body (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2013) . Fine motor skills involve engaging in smaller, more precise movements, normally using the hands and fingers. Fine motor skills are different than gross motor skills which require less precision to perform (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2013) .The Betty Hardwick Center has provided a great layout of the physical milestones that children go through during the early childhood stages.
http://bhcmhmr.org/poc/view_doc.php?&id=12755&cn=462
Cognitive Development
Cognitive development refers to age related transformations that occur in children's reasoning, concepts, memory, and language (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2013) . These transformations are influenced by the family communication, school, and their community. While every child is different, cognitive developmental milestones are fairly universal, meaning most children progress and reach them. Howcast.com has put together a great series of short videos that address the language and cognitive developmental milestones from ages 2 to 6.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDzUtc-uvjhNouRN0qtwMozR4FAIugHVI
Livestrong.com has also provided an awesome article on the importance of cognitive development in preschool/earlychildhood children.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/541776-why-is-cognitive-development-important-in-preschool/
Cognitive development refers to age related transformations that occur in children's reasoning, concepts, memory, and language (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2013) . These transformations are influenced by the family communication, school, and their community. While every child is different, cognitive developmental milestones are fairly universal, meaning most children progress and reach them. Howcast.com has put together a great series of short videos that address the language and cognitive developmental milestones from ages 2 to 6.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDzUtc-uvjhNouRN0qtwMozR4FAIugHVI
Livestrong.com has also provided an awesome article on the importance of cognitive development in preschool/earlychildhood children.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/541776-why-is-cognitive-development-important-in-preschool/
Social-Emotional Development
Social development includes the many modifications that occur in emotions, self-concept, motivation, social relationships, and moral reasoning/behavior (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2013) . Social-emotional development is a critical domain because this is the first aspect of learning that children are introduced to. Learning through play and social interaction is a simple concept that has a major effect on a child's development. The lack of social interaction is detrimental to children as these social interactions help them to develop cognitively, physically, and emotionally.
Stage 1: Solitary Play
This is the first stage of play. Babies and toddlers (birth to around two) are in this stage. They love to be with family members and also enjoy time by themselves. They are very busy exploring and discovering their new world. These very young children tend to play alone regardless of whether other children are in the same room.
Stage 2: Parallel Play
The second stage of play begins around the age of two. Children play next to each other simply because they are in the same area but they are engaged in their own activities. They play side-by-side, watch and listen to each other. At this age they are interested in the same toys and both see the toys as belonging to them.
Stage 3: Associative Play
At this third stage most children are still playing independently but often do the same thing as other children. For example, if one child puts on a dress-up outfit, another child will put one on also. The children will begin to interact through talking, borrowing and taking turns with toys, but each child acts alone.
Stage 4: Cooperative Play
This stage becomes quite apparent in the later preschool years, (during the 4th and 5th years), when children have acquired the skills to interact together for the purpose of play. Speaking and listening skills are more developed so children can communicate with each other. Children can share ideas and tell each other what to do. Communication about play is the critical skill of cooperative play.
Stages of Play obtained via
http://www.district196.org/ec/TeacherCurriculum/KaySikichTheFourStagesofPlay.cfm
Social development includes the many modifications that occur in emotions, self-concept, motivation, social relationships, and moral reasoning/behavior (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2013) . Social-emotional development is a critical domain because this is the first aspect of learning that children are introduced to. Learning through play and social interaction is a simple concept that has a major effect on a child's development. The lack of social interaction is detrimental to children as these social interactions help them to develop cognitively, physically, and emotionally.
Stage 1: Solitary Play
This is the first stage of play. Babies and toddlers (birth to around two) are in this stage. They love to be with family members and also enjoy time by themselves. They are very busy exploring and discovering their new world. These very young children tend to play alone regardless of whether other children are in the same room.
Stage 2: Parallel Play
The second stage of play begins around the age of two. Children play next to each other simply because they are in the same area but they are engaged in their own activities. They play side-by-side, watch and listen to each other. At this age they are interested in the same toys and both see the toys as belonging to them.
Stage 3: Associative Play
At this third stage most children are still playing independently but often do the same thing as other children. For example, if one child puts on a dress-up outfit, another child will put one on also. The children will begin to interact through talking, borrowing and taking turns with toys, but each child acts alone.
Stage 4: Cooperative Play
This stage becomes quite apparent in the later preschool years, (during the 4th and 5th years), when children have acquired the skills to interact together for the purpose of play. Speaking and listening skills are more developed so children can communicate with each other. Children can share ideas and tell each other what to do. Communication about play is the critical skill of cooperative play.
Stages of Play obtained via
http://www.district196.org/ec/TeacherCurriculum/KaySikichTheFourStagesofPlay.cfm