Normal Childhood Development
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Development is a lifelong process of growth and maturation. During childhood change unfolds rapidly. Through stages of physical and psychological growth each human person develops. Children gradually acquire the ability to understand the world through participation in the environment around them.
Scientific research has not been able to give a complete theory on how children develop into healthy minded adults. To reach one's full potential science and religion must be in harmony. Understanding God's plan for living completes us. It is God who gifted man with a mind that can think, feel and decide. In this way every human person reflects the image of God.
Normal childhood development is viewed as a series of stages of physical and psychological growth. Children gradually acquire the ability to understand the world through participation in the environment around them. It is believed that mental health problems may result from a failure to achieve milestones and objectives of normal human development.
Research has established that successful use of language and communication is the foundation of childhood mental health. Language capabilities are crucial to the development of listening and speaking skills. It is fundamental to the achievement of competent reading and writing abilities. Children with a variety of speech and language impediments are at risk when their language abilities fall behind those of their peers.
To be healthy, children must form relationships with peers as well as their families. As a child grows the social skills they acquire give them the abilities to form close relationships. It is important that a child develop the ability to interpret and understand other children's nonverbal cues, such as body language and tone of voice. Children whose social skills develop favorably can respond well to others. They are able to articulate their thoughts and wishes. They can suppress desires and learn to compromise with other children.
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