CHILD DEVELOPMENT & DIVERSITY

Understanding Development and Supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Table of Contents

Development from Birth to 19 years2

Sequence and Rate of Development5

Difference between sequence and rate of development6

Theories of child development and their Influence on Current Practices6

Delayed development and interventions8

Importance of early identification of delayed development10

How Playing and Activities support development11

Importance of having Positive relationships during periods of transition12

Current Legislation to promote equality and diversity13

Importance of promoting child rights and participation of young people14

Importance and benefits of valuing & promoting cultural diversity15

Impact of prejudice and discrimination on children and young people16

Impact of own attitudes, values and behaviour on work with children/young people17

Promotion of anti discriminatory practice18

Bibliography19

Understanding Development and Supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

For the purpose of this assignment, we are referring to the child as a male (he) but that is for convenience of writing only. Gender may vary.

Development from Birth to 19 years

From birth to 1 month of age, a child has (on an average) 20 hours of sleep each day. The baby communicates primarily by crying. The child learns to use facial expressions, moves around a lot, responds to smells, is sensitive to touch, and makes use of reflexes. The baby also responds to sounds and focuses on where it came from.

Between 2 to 3 months, the child develops visually and orally and starts exploring. The common forms of communication include cooing, crying and grunting. When he is emotionally upset, it is clearly visible. He also responds to others with smiles. Later he learns to imitate some activities like someone's movements or expressions. The child also realizes that he is a separate person. An acquaintance or a familiar adult can comfort the child. The baby's response to touch is favourable.

From 4 to 6 months, the child babbles, and needs to be fed around 3 to 5 times daily. The child starts actively moving head, arm, etc. He recognizes his parents and acquaintances. He also realizes his name. The baby grasps and puts objects in mouth, and laughs.

Between 7-9 months, the child can sit upright without support and crawl around. He develops an emotional attachment to his parents and feels anxious whenever they're not around. The baby can tell whether an object is dead or alive; he can also tell that things which are not seen also exist.

From 10 to 12 months of age, the child starts controlling his legs and feet and can stand up. He responds to simple commands and to his own name. He also learns to throw objects and imitate simple movements and expressions. It is during this time that he says his first word.

During 1 to 1.5 years of age, the child normally walks without support and can eat on his own. He obeys commands and starts repeating words. He also understands some words, phrases, and a few directions.

From 1.5 to 2 years, the child starts running, and begins toilet training. He has a vocabulary base of 200 words and shows his temper. He does the opposite of whatever he is told to ...