The 2007 and 2011 Lancet series on child development identified major risks for poor child development. These risks include intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), stunting, iodine deficiency, iron-deficiency anemia, malaria, lead exposure, HIV, maternal depression, and inadequate cognitive stimulation.

10 Factors That Influence the Growth and Development of a Child

• Heredity. Heredity is the transmission of physical characteristics from parents to children through their genes.
• Environment.
• Sex.
• Exercise and Health.
• Hormones.
• Nutrition.
• Familial Influence.
• Geographical Influences.

The principles are: 1. Development is Continuous 2. Development is Gradual 3. Development is Sequential 4. Rate of Development Varies Person to Person 5. Development Proceeds from General to Specific 6. Most Traits are Correlated in Development and Others.

Caring, Responsive Relationships A child’s relationships with the adults in their life are the most important influences on their brain development. Loving relationships with responsive, dependable adults are essential to a child’s healthy development.

How well a brain develops depends on many factors in addition to genes, such as:

• Proper nutrition starting in pregnancy.
• Exposure to toxins or infections.
• The child’s experiences with other people and the world.

Good nutrition is important, because brain growth—like the growth of the rest of the fetus’ body—is influenced by the quality of a pregnant woman’s diet. Alcohol and cigarettes should be avoided, because these can impair the formation and wiring of brain cells.

The most important years in a child’s development are from birth to age five. Children’s experiences and relationships that are formed during these years determine how their brain develops. In fact, by the time children reach age five, 90% of a child’s brain is already developed.

Piaget’s four stages

When it comes to child development, it’s been said that the most crucial milestones in a kid’s life occur by the age of 7. In fact, the great Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man.” As a parent, taking this theory to heart can cause waves of anxiety.

A 7 year-old is not considered to be a toddler. A toddler is a child between 1 year old to 3 years of age. 7year-old children are considered to be in “middle childhood.” They are too young to be called tweens. 7 year-olds are more capable of developing motor skills and their own opinions.

Everything You Need to Know About Adrenarche: A Surge in Hormones That Happens Before Puberty. If your 7- or 8-year-old has suddenly started acting moody and tearful, you’re not alone. The changes in their behavior may be due to adrenarche, which can affect how your child handles their emotions.

Defiance in children is a common problem, especially in toddlers and adolescents. It’s a normal part of a child’s development and can be expressed in behaviors such as talking back to or disobeying parents, teachers, and other adults.