A child's stages of development can be viewed in terms of behavioral changes. Behavior can be seen as a function of structure as it reacts to its physical and social environment; thoughts, emotions, and actions are affected by the physical development of the body. Many believe that our actions are based on the way our physical body is built and our level of development. Developmental behavioral stages that will be discussed include cognitive and psychosocial development, motor behavior, adaptive behavior, language behavior, and personal-social and emotional behavior.
The child's response to his mother or life situation, may alternate and interweave in a pattern consisting of disequilibrium and equilibrium. Knowledge of when to expect disequilibrium, characterized by certain developmental stages and age levels, can be useful for the parent or pediatrician.
Development during the first year of life includes whole body activity, adaptive behavior, language and social activity. The infant is in a state of egocentrism, rendering him incapable of differentiating between his own body and the world of objects (Freeman, Simon, Beutler, & Arkowitz, (1989). The child at four weeks, cannot lift the head. Response is with the eyes, grasping with fingers is a reflex action. Social responses are few, smiles may be due to gas pain. Attention to voices is demonstrated (Ames, Gillespie, Haines, & Ilg, 1979).
By sixteen weeks, the child can sit when propped. Adaptive behavior includes regarding objects, and movement of hands to touch the object. The baby now smiles and laughs, notices voices and recognizes care-givers. Twenty-eight weeks brings the lifting of legs high, grasping of feet, rolling onto the stomach, and sitting erect momentarily. Hands are now tools to explore with, reaching, grasping, banging and transferring from one hand to the other. The child can now distinguish between care-givers and strangers. The mmm ...