CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

Child Psychology: Effects of Alcohol on Prenatal Development

Child Psychology: Effects of Alcohol on Prenatal Development

Introduction

From Birth to Five Years has a very wide potential audience. It is recommended for all those working in any field of child-care - from nursery nurses to psychologists as well as parents and those working with young children below the age of five. Children's librarians could easily be added to this list of potential readers, particularly those who are working on schemes such as “Sure Start” or other similar initiatives. One of the reasons that such a wide-ranging audience may be attracted to this text is the need for all these people to understand the way in which children develop normally in order that they can, if necessary, identify differences. This new edition has taken into account changes in the ways that children's developmental needs and health care are now supported to account for the more common practice of preventative care. In the modern climate child-care experts now see parents as equal partners where the health and welfare of children is concerned. Therefore the authors provide information based on current ideas of good practice.

Discussion

Child psychology is a branch of psychology which focuses on children from infancy through adolescence. A wide variety of topics within psychology are encompassed in child psychology, including abnormal psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, and so forth. A specialist who focuses on child psychology is known as a child psychologist, and he or she may work as a counselor to children, a researcher in studies designed to help people understand children better, or as an adviser to academic and social programs which deal with children.

A huge scope of issues is addressed in child psychology. Child psychologists study how children learn, how various behaviors develop, the impact of environment on developing children, and many other topics. Children make difficult and sometimes controversial study subjects, because they cannot grant consent in the same way adults do, and studies in child psychology must be carefully constructed as a result.

There are many forms of applied child psychology, in which a psychologist actively works with children. A child psychologist might provide services to special needs children, helping kids with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and other issues, for example. Child psychologists also assist children who are psychologically troubled with counseling, therapy, and recommendations to child psychiatrists who may be able to prescribe medications and other treatments. Others may develop instruction plans designed to help children learn effectively, or work with children who are experiencing psychological trauma like the loss of a parent, a sudden move, a war, or a natural disaster.

Topics in child psychology research are equally diverse. Many people are interested in how humans mature, from infancy through old age, and many of these researchers study child psychology. (David, 2003) Looking at when children acquire language, how children learn about the world, and how children develop personal morals can provide interesting clues into human nature. The emotional development of children is as interesting as their physical development, ...