What is Child development?
'''Child development''' refers to biological, [[psychology|psychological]], and emotional changes that happen in humans between [[birth]] and the end of [[adolescence]], at which time the individual goes from dependence to independence. The development is strongly influenced by [[genetic]], mental, physical, and [[social]] factors that may happen during the progression. [[Children]] develop at different levels. In particular, children having [[autism spectrum]] troubles or [[Down syndrome]] may have different development than usual or substandard motor development. Ideas about how children develop psychologically have changed over time. There are several important theories on how children develop. == Early ideas == ===In medieval times=== During this time children were seen as separate than adults. Children under 7 or 8 were different than other people and treated as children. Even teenagers were not fully grown.<ref name=Berk>{{cite book|last=Berk|first=Laura E.|title=Child development|url=https://archive.org/details/childdevelopment02berk|year=2009|publisher=Pearson/Allyn & Bacon|location=Boston|isbn=9780205615599|edition=8th}}</ref> Religious writings sometimes talked about children as evil and needing to be pure. They also sometimes talked about them as good and angels. === During the Reformation === At the time of the [[Reformation]], children were thought to be born evil.<ref name=Berk /> Adults thought children needed to be taught to be a person. Children had to wear tight and uncomfortable clothes. Raising a child was thought to be one of the most important things.<ref name=Berk /> Adults wanted children to use reason in learning. === Age of Enlightenment === In the time of the [[Enlightenment]], people started to think differently about children and development. People respected children more and treated them better. Two important people had ideas about children during the Enlightenment. They were [[John Locke]] and [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]]. ==== John Locke ==== [[John Locke]] thought that children