Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Child Development 1
Introduction
Child Development: Early Stages Through Age 12 will help you
understand how to work with and care for children as they grow. It
explains how children develop physically, intellectually, socially, and
emotionally. Child Development: Early Stages Through Age 12 will also
help you apply what you have learned to meet children’s needs in the
best possible ways.
Children are different from adults. You need to know how
children grow and develop to work with them effectively. This text
begins by explaining the study of children. It helps you understand
why studying child development is important—whether you become
a parent, work in a child-related fi eld, or just spend time with children.
The text also discusses the choices and preparation involved in becoming
a parent.
This text takes you from the prenatal stage through the child’s
school-age stage of development. The text presents the facts and theories
about the child’s development. Many examples are provided to help you
apply this information when working with children of all ages.
Child Development: Early Stages Through Age 12 helps you explore
how family situations affect children. It explores the special needs and
concerns of children with special needs. You will also learn about ways
to care for children, including play activities, ways to keep children
healthy and safe, group programs, and child-related careers.