Child Development
Child development entails the biological, psychological and emotional changes that occur in human beings between birth and the conclusion of adolescence, as the individual progresses from dependency to increasing autonomy. It is a continuous process with a predictable sequence, yet having a unique course for every child. It does not progress at the same rate and each stage is affected by the preceding developmental experiences. Because these developmental changes may be strongly influenced by genetic factors and events during prenatal life, genetics and prenatal development are usually included as part of the study of child development. Related terms include developmental psychology, referring to development throughout the lifespan, and pediatrics, the branch of medicine relating to the care of children. Developmental change may occur as a result of genetically-controlled processes known as maturation, or as a result of environmental factors and learning, but most commonly involves an interaction between the two. It may also occur as a result of human nature and our ability to learn from our environment.
There are various definitions of periods in a child's development, since each period is a continuum with individual differences regarding start and ending. Some age-related development periods and examples of defined intervals are: newborn (ages 0–4 weeks); infant (ages 4 weeks – 1 year); toddler (ages 1–3 years); preschooler (ages 4–6 years); school-aged child (ages 6–11 years); adolescent (ages 12–19).
Promoting child development through parental training, among other factors, promotes excellent rates of child development. Parents play a large role in a child's life, socialization, and development. Having multiple parents can add stability to the child's life and therefore encourage healthy development. Another influential factor in a child's development is the quality of their care. Child care programs present a critical opportunity for the promotion of child development.
The optimal development of children is considered vital to society and so it is important to understand the social, cognitive, emotional, and educational development of children. Increased research and interest in this field has resulted in new theories and strategies, with specific regard to practice that promotes development within the school system. There are also some theories that seek to describe a sequence of states that compose child development.
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Matching Child Development Colleges
Fresno Pacific University
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $32,954 average out-state tuition; $32,954 average in-state tuition |
Texas Woman's University
Four or more years; Public; $15,408 average out-state tuition; $5,616 average in-state tuition |
Ashford University
Four or more years; Private for profit; $13,280 average out-state tuition; $13,280 average in-state tuition |
Central Michigan University
Four or more years; Public; $12,644 average out-state tuition; $12,644 average in-state tuition |
Point Loma Nazarene University
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $38,800 average out-state tuition; $38,800 average in-state tuition |
Tulsa Community College
At least 2 but less than 4 years; Public; $8,101 average out-state tuition; $2,701 average in-state tuition |
Post University
Four or more years; Private for profit; $15,258 average out-state tuition; $15,258 average in-state tuition |
Scholarships for Child Development Majors
UNCF/CVS Health Foundation Health Care Careers ScholarshipUNCF, Inc |
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award $10,000 |
deadline May 15, 2025 |
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Mat-Su Health Foundation Vocational ScholarshipMat-Su Health Foundation |
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award Up to $5,000 |
deadline Varies |
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Legacy Scholars Award - College of Ed and Human Dev - UM, Twin CitiesUniversity of Minnesota, Twin Cities |
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award $5,000 |
deadline Varies |
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Fred Rogers ScholarshipSaint Vincent College |
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award $2,500 |
deadline Varies |
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Early Childhood Educators Scholarship ProgramMassachusetts Department of Higher Education |
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award Up to $4,500 |
deadline Varies |
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Rev. Zanos Gougoutas, Christopher, and Drs. George and Bess Kypros Family ScholarshipMadonna University |
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award $1,625 |
deadline Varies |
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Citigroup Early Childhood Scholarship - Park UniversityPark University |
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award $1,300 |
deadline June 30, 2025 |
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Vivian Marie Yossa Memorial ScholarshipButler County Community College Foundation |
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award $1,195 |
deadline July 01, 2025 |
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St. Marianne Cope ScholarshipSaint Bonaventure University |
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award $1,000 |
deadline Varies |
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St. Clair County Farm Bureau ScholarshipUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of ACES |
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award $1,000 |
deadline Varies |
Child Development Related Majors
- Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
- Child Care Provider/Assistant
- Human Nutrition
- Child Care and Support Services Management
- Fashion and Fabric Consultant
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
- Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management
- Apparel and Textile Marketing Management
- Facilities Planning and Management
- Family and Community Services
- Apparel and Textiles
- Foodservice Systems Administration/Management
- Consumer Economics
- Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies
- Business Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
- Family Systems
- Housing and Human Environments
- Early Childhood and Family Studies