6 Unit 1 Children and Families in Today’s World
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Lesson
1.1
Understanding Child
Development
Key Terms
child development
development
environment
epigenome
genes
genetics
heredity
individual life cycle
intellectual
development
physical development
social-emotional
development
stressors
Academic
Terms
domains
growth
potential
Objectives
After studying this lesson, you will be able to
• defi ne the term child development.
• describe the four domains of child development.
• summarize the six stages of the individual life cycle that involve
children.
• explain how heredity and environment infl uence growth and
development.
Physical Intellectual
Social Emotional
In a chart like the one shown, write
the four domains of child development.
Then, as you read this lesson,
categorize everything you learn about
child development by domain.
Based on your own experiences and observations, list what you think the six
stages of child development are called. Then write two or three characteristics of
each stage. As you read this lesson, list the six stages of child development and
characteristics of each stage as noted by the author. After you finish reading the
lesson, compare the two lists. In what ways are they similar and different? Why
do you think the six stages of child development are divided in this way? Write a
paragraph to summarize your findings.