Toddlers work at bonding with parents, learning to separate from them and developing autonomy. The preschool years are a time for mastering physical skills and language, using imagination as a means of interpreting the world, and developing relationships with other children. For school-age children, physical development slows down, while intellectual and emotional growth accelerate. Children at this stage learn to balance their physical, moral, social, mental and emotional development against their own needs and those imposed by society. The transition from childhood to adulthood involves major physical changes, development of sexual feelings and growth of responsibility.
Some children experience delays in development.
Such delays may be detected by teachers or health-care providers. Because parents know their children better than anyone else, doctors encourage parents to discuss any concerns they have about their child's development. If delays are present, timely intervention can help a child reach his full potential. Helping children grow takes enormous energy and patience. Understanding what commonly occurs at each stage of development can be a great help when you are concerned about your children's behavior.