Child development
 

• Early childhood development
  “Early childhood development refers to the cognitive, physical, language, motor, social and emotional development of children from conception to 8 years of age.”:
  - The first years of a child’s life set the stage for healthy growth and development.
  - In the earliest years of life, especially from the start of pregnancy till the child reaches the age of 2 years, a child needs nutrition, protection, and stimulation for healthy brain development.
  - During the earliest years of life, a child’s brain forms millions of new connections.
  - Life experiences including good nutrition, protection, and stimulation from talking, playing, and responsive attention from parents are important to build a child’s brain.
  - For a child in a low- or middle-income country, poor early development could mean they will earn around one-quarter less in income, as an adult.

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• Developmental milestones
  - During the first 1,000 days of life a child is developing rapidly, there are development goals for each age period (developmental milestones).
  - By regularly checking physical growth and development milestones we can track and ensure children can reach their full potential.
  - Children grow and develop well if they are adequately fed, nurtured and cared for, loved and stimulated and do not get ill often.