Early childhood development
[3]Developmental delay occurs when children fail to develop milestones compared to their peers in the population.
[5] Children should be evaluated for abnormal linear growth when their charted growth crosses at least 2 percentiles beyond first 2 years of life, being born small for gestational age without signs of catching up to normal size, or abnormal height velocity for a child’s age.
[3] Pathological causes in early childhood tend to be malnutrition and failure to thrive which could happen while they were developing in utero or after birth.
[7] In early childhood, children develop the ability to gradually control movement, achieve balance and coordination and fine and gross motor skills.
Many health and behavioural issues including difficulties with toilet training and postural disorders are strongly linked to the children’s lack of physical activity.
[12] Early childhood is a stage of rapid growth, development and learning and each child makes progress at different speeds and rates.
[17] Cognitive development refers to the growth and advancement of mental abilities, thinking processes, and problem-solving skills.
Sensory skills and visual perception during early infancy facilitate young children to quickly learn, perceive, process, and understand information from their surroundings and experiences.
[18] The social background, family context,[20] early childhood education and care[21] and physical activities[22] are important factors that influence the cognitive development of young children.
[23] Appropriate methods and favourable environments play a crucial role in early communication and language development.
Turn and Talk approach is a widespread method to promote language development in young children.
[25] The social interaction needs and interests of toddlers and young children can be similar such as playing games like run-chase, throwing balls and jumping off step.
There is empirical evidence indicating that more time spent with peer groups makes children more socially skilful at friendships and interactions.
[27] In the early years, children develop basic emotions such as joy, fear, sadness, anger, interest and surprise.
