Child psychology
Child psychology
Child psychology (pronunciation: /ʧaɪld saɪˈkɒlədʒi/), also known as pediatric psychology, is a subfield of psychology that focuses on the mental, emotional, and social development of children and adolescents. The term is believed to have originated in the late 19th century, with the etymology stemming from the Greek words "psyche" meaning soul or mind, and "logos" meaning study.
Child psychology encompasses a wide range of topics, including the genetic, cognitive, and social growth that occurs throughout childhood. The field is primarily concerned with the developmental processes from birth to adolescence, although it also encompasses the period of infancy and adolescence.
Key Concepts
- Developmental psychology: This is a scientific approach which aims to explain how children and adolescents change over time. The changes can be related to motor skills, problem solving abilities, conceptual understanding, acquisition of language, moral understanding, and identity formation.
- Cognitive development: This refers to how a child's understanding of the world changes as they grow older. It involves the study of how children understand and think about their world.
- Social development: This involves learning the values, knowledge and skills that enable children to relate to others effectively and to contribute in positive ways to family, school and the community.
- Emotional development: This involves the development of a child's emotional capability and the emergence of self-awareness, managing emotions, and developing relationships.
Related Terms
- Child development: This is a process every child goes through. This involves learning and mastering skills like sitting, walking, talking, skipping, and tying shoes.
- Adolescent psychology: This is a field of study involving the examination, treatment, and diagnosis of psychological aspects of adolescence.
- Educational psychology: This is the branch of psychology concerned with schools, teaching psychology, educational issues, and student concerns.
See Also
References
External Links
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Child psychology
- Wikipedia's article - Child psychology
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