Child Psychology

Child psychology is the study of the mental, emotional, and social development of children from birth through adolescence.

It involves understanding children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral development, including how they think, learn, feel, and interact.

Jean Piaget is often considered the father of modern child psychology due to his pioneering work on cognitive development.

1. Infancy (0–2 years) – sensory exploration and attachment
   
   
2. Early Childhood (2–6 years) – language, imagination, and basic social skills
   
   
3. Middle Childhood (6–12 years) – logical thinking, social development, and self-concept
   
   
4. Adolescence (12–18 years) – abstract thinking, identity formation, and independence

1. Sensorimotor Stage (0–2 years) – learning through senses and actions
   
   
2. Preoperational Stage (2–7 years) – symbolic thinking and language development
   
   
3. Concrete Operational Stage (7–11 years) – logical thinking about concrete events
   
   
4. Formal Operational Stage (12 years and up) – abstract and hypothetical reasoning

Infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence, each characterized by unique cognitive, emotional, and social milestones.

1. Physical development – growth, motor skills
   
   
2. Cognitive development – thinking, learning, problem-solving
   
   
3. Emotional development – feelings, self-regulation
   
   
4. Social development – relationships, communication, behavior

Key Stage 4 typically refers to adolescence (12–18 years), when children develop abstract thinking, moral reasoning, identity, and independence.

1. Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory
   
   
2. Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory
   
   
3. Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory
   
   
4. Freud’s Psychosexual Development Theory

To understand, support, and enhance children’s mental health, emotional well-being, learning abilities, and social skills.

Psychology helps identify developmental milestones, mental health issues, learning challenges, and guides interventions for healthy growth.

1. Authoritative – high warmth, high control
   
   
2. Authoritarian – low warmth, high control
   
   
3. Permissive – high warmth, low control
   
   
4. Neglectful – low warmth, low control

Piaget’s theory explains how children develop cognitively through sequential stages, learning to think logically and understand the world.

Understanding cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral development; recognizing milestones and individual differences in children.

Love and attachment, safety and security, guidance and structure, opportunities for learning, and social interaction.

1. Cognitive Psychology
   
   
2. Behavioral Psychology
   
   
3. Developmental Psychology
   
   
4. Clinical/Health Psychology

1. Biological basis of behavior
   
   
2. Cognition and learning
   
   
3. Emotions and motivation
   
   
4. Social influences
   
   
5. Mental health and well-being

Assessing learning difficulties, studying attachment patterns, evaluating emotional resilience, and diagnosing behavioral disorders.

Contact NHS services, local CAMHS, private clinics, or get a referral from your GP.

Private sessions typically range from £80 to £150 per hour; NHS services may be free but require a referral.

Persistent sadness, anxiety, aggression, withdrawal from social activities, sleep disturbances, or changes in school performance.

It depends on the child’s needs; some may require weekly sessions, others fortnightly or monthly follow-ups.

Psychologists focus on therapy and behavior, while psychiatrists can prescribe medication; the choice depends on the child’s condition.

Referral is recommended if a child shows persistent emotional, behavioral, or developmental difficulties affecting daily life.

Infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence, aligning with cognitive, emotional, and social growth.

Developmental, educational, clinical, and behavioral child psychology.

Industry vs. Inferiority (6–12 years) – children develop competence, skills, and a sense of achievement; failure can lead to feelings of inferiority.