The Four Domains of Child Development

Newborns get an average of about 17 hours of sleep per day.

• physical development

  involves growth of the body and the development of motor skills

• intellectual development

  includes how people learn, what they learn, and how they express what they know through language

• social development

  concerns interactions with people and social groups

• emotional development

  involves feelings and disposition

During the first year, infants babble syllables, such as da da.

• physical development

  involves growth of the body and the development of motor skills

• intellectual development

  includes how people learn, what they learn, and how they express what they know through language

• social development

  concerns interactions with people and social groups

• emotional development

  involves feelings and disposition

Babies become anxious when beloved adults leave them even for a short time.

• physical development

  involves growth of the body and the development of motor skills

• intellectual development

  includes how people learn, what they learn, and how they express what they know through language

• social development

  concerns interactions with people and social groups

• emotional development

  involves feelings and disposition

Children are proud when they can do tasks for themselves.

• physical development

  involves growth of the body and the development of motor skills

• intellectual development

  includes how people learn, what they learn, and how they express what they know through language

• social development

  concerns interactions with people and social groups

• emotional development

  involves feelings and disposition

After the first year, babies continue to grow rapidly, but less rapidly than during the first year.

• physical development

  involves growth of the body and the development of motor skills

• intellectual development

  includes how people learn, what they learn, and how they express what they know through language

• social development

  concerns interactions with people and social groups

• emotional development

  involves feelings and disposition

Toddlers are attached to adults who care for them.

• physical development

  involves growth of the body and the development of motor skills

• intellectual development

  includes how people learn, what they learn, and how they express what they know through language

• social development

  concerns interactions with people and social groups

• emotional development

  involves feelings and disposition

School-age children can learn symbol systems used in reading and math.

• physical development

  involves growth of the body and the development of motor skills

• intellectual development

  includes how people learn, what they learn, and how they express what they know through language

• social development

  concerns interactions with people and social groups

• emotional development

  involves feelings and disposition

Children are curious and eager learners.

• physical development

  involves growth of the body and the development of motor skills

• intellectual development

  includes how people learn, what they learn, and how they express what they know through language

• social development

  concerns interactions with people and social groups

• emotional development

  involves feelings and disposition