Who is a child

Whenever we talk about a child we think of a newborn baby or toddler or maybe pre-schooler right? But do you know anyone who is less than 18 years old, is a child?

Yes!

According to United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child (UNCR 1989) – ‘a child means every human being below the age of 18 years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.’

A child is a complete human being

In different era the perception and belief about a child was different. Sometimes there were negative conceptions about child like a ‘child is small, immature and restless. They don’t understand anything. Children are not good enough to do anything with responsibility’.

People used to think of children as an ‘empty vessel’. Some others thought of them as a ‘blank slate’ which is also known as ‘tabula rasa’ in Latin. This means, how a child is going to grow, it depends on their surroundings.

Then in sixteenth century, there was a concept about children that, ‘they are very mischievous and Children are born with evil and satanic behavior. Children have to be disciplined to develop good manners and calm nature.’

With the change of era and advancement in education, people now have positive conception about children. At the beginning of this period (eighteenth century) Jean-Jacque Rousseau introduced a completely different idea. According to him children are “noble savage”. Children are born with their own characteristics and tendencies which reveals over time. He thinks, adults should provide children with a variety of experiences based on their interests.

Later Maria Tecla Artemisia Montessori (31 August 1870 – 6 May 1952) also said similar thing.  Montessori method allowed children to develop at their own pace and provided educators with a new understanding of child development. Her “follow the child” phrase is a really very popular. It does not mean you let the child do whatever he/she wants. Rather, it is an acknowledgment that the child has his/her own pattern. The key to understanding this idea is observation.

Characteristics of a child

Every child is different. Children are distinguished from each other because of their unique characteristics. These differences in the child's preferences, thoughts, behavior and needs are easily observed by us. These characteristics of theirs give them a unique identity that sets them apart from others. These characteristics need to be taken into account in determining and conducting activities with children. 

But all children have some common characteristics too, that differ them from adults. Those characteristics included- 

• Children have different preferences, needs and learning styles.
• Children see the world as they see it, not as adults.
• Children have very short attention spans. They can’t stay focused on anything for long. It change over time and practice.
•  Children love games, toys and various activities.
• Children are usually playful and creative.
• Children are generally joyful and curious.
• Children are usually self-centered.
• The two main needs of children are: -Being loved and accepted by adults. – Exploring, doing things and expressing themselves.

Different periods of child’s life

A child goes through several critical periods or stages according to age and characteristics. A child’s life cycle is divided into several age categories/stages to ensure child characteristics, learning. Each period has some unique featires, which children acquire at that age. Generally, the experience/expansion of the next level is determined based on the experience and expansion of the previous age level. Skills and development at one level of a child’s life play an important role in laying the foundation for learning and development at the next level. One level of skill and development forms the basis for the next level of skill and development. Thus, if any one level of development is interrupted for any reason, it creates a barrier to the next level of skill and development. In this way the child develops gradually in life which afterwards attains perfection.

A child usually does not enter a mass without doing one after another. For example, no one can run well without learning how to walk. At the end of a child’s life, the needs and wants are different. Again, at a certain age all rhythms are distinctive but have common features (similarities). With few exceptions, children of different generations develop in roughly the same order.

According to research by educational scientists, the period from birth to the age of eight is considered a unique period in human development. The characteristics, learning style and behavior of children during this period are significantly different from those of children of other ages (relatively older children). This issue is considered or emphasized in education science. Research also shows that children under the age of eight develop faster and learn better if they have things to move and interact with in a safe and stimulating environment. Brain development and learning are very rapid at this age, especially in the first 3 years of a child’s life. From the age of eight to the primary school period (up to 10/11 years) the child goes through another stage, which differs from the characteristics and behavior of the child during adolescence. Age can be sorted by:

• Newborn (first 28 days)

• Infant (1 to 12 months)

• Toddler (12 to 36 months)

• Preschooler (3 years to 6 years)

• Primary (6 years to 10 years)

• Adolescence: (11 years to 18 years)

In the international context, a number of specific age groups are defined in early childhood, with pre-primary and primary education as the priority. The following are the normal behavioral and educational characteristics of a child at this age:

Observed neonatal-month (first 28 days): During this time, the child is limited in activities such as moving his face, throwing his arms and legs and looking. Babies usually respond to a sound and make eye-to-eye contact, which does not last long. Children respond by crying when hurt. At this time intensive care and attention from adults as well as linguistic communication (voice/response/talking), affection is very essential for the child.

Infant (1 to 12 months): During this time, children learn mainly through the senses, such as touch, hearing, smell and taste, and some essential visual skills such as rolling, eating, reaching, grasping, crawling, biting toes, standing, Gains skills like laughing, imitating etc. At this age children recognize their own (parents) and respond to different behaviors. During this time, like the physical growth of the child, his overall development also happens very fast. Therefore, it is very important to conduct age-appropriate language, intellectual, social and emotional development activities with children during this period.

Toddler (12 to 36 months): During this time children acquire/continue neuro-muscular coordination. Rapid brain development occurs during this period. Research shows that around the age of three, the brain reaches 80 percent perfection/development. Also, at this stage children no longer want to be dependent on caregivers. At this age, the child’s curiosity (asking questions) and interest in new things are intense. Even at this age, like the physical growth of the child, his overall development also happens very fast. Gains the ability to engage in games and activities to develop language, mathematics and intelligence.

Pre-School (3 years to 6 years): At this stage children continue to add new skills to the knowledge and skills they have acquired in previous stages. They continue to learn and practice their self-control. They gain the skill and confidence to be away from close family members for hours a day. In their own environment (home and school) they engage in small tasks and responsibilities, helping and being attentive. Some children at this age may attend center-based programs, such as day care centers. Children acquire skills through social interactions and interactions with peers and people other than family members. Child takes responsibility and shows interest in work. Shows interest in telling and listening to stories by himself. They can do a task (listen to a story/work with attention) for a relatively long time. Children prefer to learn by using materials and doing. Even at this age, like the physical growth of the child, his overall development also happens very fast. By attending pre-primary school during this period, children acquire school-readiness skills, such as pre-reading, writing and numeracy and social skills, and enter primary school through various transition processes. At this time, if the child gets a development-friendly environment and appropriate opportunities, a permanent foundation is laid for his language-based, social, emotional and intellectual development.

Primary (6 years to 10 years) level: This is when children acquire the ability to easily adapt themselves to a formal environment like primary school. If school preparation, transitional activities are good, they easily adapt to any environment. During this time they can acquire relatively complex instructions and ideas. Even at this age, like the physical growth of the child, his overall development/change happens very fast.

Adolescence (11 years to 18 years): Adolescence is an important period in life. During this time, the children attain a lot of physical and mental maturity. Mentally, he is very brave, and at times expresses frustration. He even thinks of what is not. During this time, the child expresses himself in different situations, emotional feelings such as anger, sadness, mood etc. quite strongly. During this time emotional and social counseling for boys and girls is given with great importance.

Finally, a child is a complete human being. Every child is different in terms of characteristics. Every one of us must have a complete and modern/correct idea about children. Like adults, children have their own characteristics, developmental needs, rights and needs, which are also seen in a full human being. However, these differ in type and nature. Our approach to children should be positive and transparent. Every stage of childhood is very important for a child’s development. Skills and development at one level of a child’s life play an important role in laying the foundation for learning and development at the next level. This is how it is in the life of a child A gradual development takes place, which gradually leads him to success. Especially the pre-primary period. Early and later learning is critical throughout a child’s life. Each of us should have a complete and transparent understanding of the characteristics, needs and requirements of children.