How children learn through observation Observational learning occurs when a child watches another person perform an action and then incorporates some part of that behavior into their own repertoire. The child may imitate a specific action, adopt a communication style,…

Understand what motivates behavior Children do not behave well simply because adults have explained a rule. They are learning to inhibit impulses, shift attention, tolerate frustration, remember instructions, and consider another person’s perspective. These capacities depend partly on executive function…

Behavior develops within relationships and context Children do not develop behavior in isolation. From infancy onward, repeated interactions with caregivers help organize expectations about whether adults are available, whether distress can be managed, and how needs are communicated. A caregiver…

What punishment is supposed to teach Punishment is a consequence intended to reduce a behavior by making it less likely to occur again. In practice, however, a consequence communicates several messages at once: what the adult believes happened, whether the…

What bossy behavior may communicate Children may act bossy when they are trying to manage uncertainty, maintain control over an enjoyable activity, or obtain a desired outcome before their limited coping skills are overwhelmed. A preschooler may dictate the rules…

What developmental regression means Developmental regression is the loss of a previously acquired ability. The lost ability may involve expressive or receptive language, social communication, play, gross or fine motor function, feeding, toileting, sleep-related independence, or other activities of daily…

What temporary regression can look like Temporary regression is a noticeable return to earlier patterns of functioning after a child had already gained a skill or level of independence. In everyday life, this may look like more clinginess, baby talk,…

What a developmental plateau means A developmental plateau is a period during which a child shows little visible advancement in a skill or group of skills. The term is descriptive rather than diagnostic. It does not, by itself, identify a…

Understanding Normal Variation and Real Concern Child development includes several interacting domains: gross motor skills such as sitting, walking, running, and climbing; fine motor skills such as grasping, drawing, and using utensils; receptive and expressive language; social communication; cognition and…

Why the early years matter Infancy and early childhood are periods of intense synaptic growth, pruning, and experience-dependent learning. In practical terms, this means that a child’s communication, movement, self-regulation, and social reciprocity are being shaped at a time when…