Child Development: An Illustrated Guide
By Carolyn Meggitt
Jan 18, 2010, 14:33

A superb book, easy to flick through or study in detail. Stunning photographs are used to describe the key stages in a child's development in each of the following areas:

• physical (gross and fine motor)
• sensory development
• cognitive and language development
• emotional and social development
• moral and spiritual development (from the age of three years)

Bullet-pointed information allows the student or practitioner to gain a clear picture of a child's development at the age of birth, and at months 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18. Further chapters examine the child at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 years, with the last chapters looking at children from 8-12, and 12-16.

Each chapter includes suggestions for effective support of children within the age band, and describes activities to further their learning and development. These sections would be particularly useful when preparing for the next stages of children in your care because you will be ready to respond appropriately.

Healthy eating guidelines are included throughout, and helpful guidelines on the use of ICT, for example keeping safety in mind when children are permitted access to the internet. In addition, the DVD provides 33 clips to demonstrate certain skills of the developing child, for example a baby rolling from front to back, or an older child learning to use his pincer grasp.

A chapter summarising the theories of Piaget, Bruner, Vygotsky, Freud, Erikson and Bowlby provides information that would be extremely useful to all students and practitioners wishing to relate the stages of development to relevant theories.

An essential book for your setting which wil be enjoyed by all EYFS practitioners, including those who may have had little child development training, or those who would like to brush up on the normative stages. All practitioners need to keep their knowledge of child development up to date in order to make effective observations and assessments of children in their care. This book will help focus your attention on what to look for when playing with and observing your children.

Published by Heinemann and available from Pearson at £14.99.