Foster Parent Handbook Part 7 – Child Development

Chapter Overviews

Introduction to Child Development and Children’s Needs

• The importance of understanding child development
• Typical patterns of development (milestones)
• Areas of development
• The importance of interaction and the child-carer relationship

Physical Development

• Developmental milestones (0-5 years)
• Puberty and the adolescent brain
• Encouraging development

Communication and Language Development

• Speech, language and communication
• Learning to communicate and encouraging development

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Attachment
• Play and social skills
• Self-esteem and resilience

Developmental Disabilities

• Developmental disabilities
• Assessment and Diagnosis
• Intervention and Support