Understanding child growth and development is very important in raising and teaching children. No two children are exactly alike, even in twins. Children differ in their physical, intellectual, emotional and social growth patterns. Because of these differences, they also differ in the way they respond to people’s affection, play and other factors in their environment. 
This will help you understand the characteristics of children of different ages. It will give you an overview of their physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. This knowledge will help you learn how to adapt your teaching or care techniques to fit the developmental needs of children of different ages. The study of child development is divided into these areas:
- PHYSICAL,
- INTELLECTUAL, and
- SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT refers to the physical growth or bodily changes. INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT refers to the mental processes used to gain knowledge. SOCIO-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT includes the two areas that are grouped together because they are inter-related. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT is learning how to relate to others, while EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT refers to expressing and refining of feelings. Trust, confidence, friendship, fear and pride are all part of social-emotional development. HERE IS WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO: FIRST TWO YEARS:
- INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
- SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
TWO TO THREE YEARS FOUR TO FIVE YEARS
