30.3: Impact of Development
- Page ID
- 199010
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“We can see that a method that is indicated for one stage of development may be completely unsuited for another stage of development. For example, the principle underlying our care of the infant in the first few months is one of total gratification of need. But if we apply this principle to the rearing of the two-year-old or the still older child we would be rearing an extremely dependent, ill-mannered child. The difference clearly is the equipment of the infant and equipment of the older child.”[1].
The concept of development playing a critical role in guidance, as highlighted by Selma Fraiberg in "The Magic Years," underscores the importance of adapting caregiving methods to suit the evolving capabilities of children as they grow. Fraiberg’s assertion that the approach suitable for an infant is not necessarily appropriate for a toddler emphasizes the need to understand the developmental stages of infancy and their unique requirements.
The distinct phases of growth that children go through from infancy to adulthood, each characterized by unique physical, cognitive, emotional, and social developments.
The difference between a 2-month-old and a 2-year-old extends far beyond the mere addition of months to their age. It involves significant developmental changes that occur within those months and years. Fraiberg uses the term "equipment" to describe a child's developmental tools and abilities at various stages. For a 2-month-old, the required approach is total gratification of needs, as their primary developmental equipment is limited to basic needs like feeding, comfort, and security. This method nurtures trust and a sense of safety in the infant.
However, by age two, a child has developed a more comprehensive range of skills and understanding. They assert their independence, demonstrate curiosity about their environment, and develop basic language skills. Their " equipment " is far more advanced at this stage than a 2-month-old. Therefore, applying the same principle of total gratification used for infants would be inappropriate and could lead to dependency and poor social skills. Instead, guidance should focus on fostering independence, setting appropriate boundaries, and encouraging exploration and learning.
A state in which a child relies on others for basic needs and emotional support.
The analogy of using a spoon versus a backhoe to dig a pool, as mentioned by Hunter and Blackwell [2], illustrates this concept perfectly. Just as a backhoe is the right equipment for digging a pool efficiently, the right developmental tools and approaches must be used for children of different ages. A spoon, akin to the methods used for an infant, might eventually achieve the goal, but it is not the most effective tool for an older child. This highlights the necessity of tailoring guidance methods to suit the child's developmental stage, ensuring that their needs are met most effectively and appropriately.
Let us briefly look at some basic developmental milestones in each domain.
Specific functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain age range, used to gauge the progress of a child's development in various domains such as physical, cognitive, and social-emotional.
Attributions:
- [1] Fraiberg, S., & Brazelton, T. B. (2008). The magic years: Understanding and handling the problems of early childhood. Scribner.
- [2] Hunter, A., & Blackwell, K. T. (2011, November). Social emotional development within the context of relationships Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning. (2011, November). Strategies for supporting the development of friendship skills in ... [PDF document]. Retrieved from https://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/inftodd/mod2/2.15.pdf