Definition of Childhood: Psychology

child·hood (chldhd)
n.
1. The time or state of being a child.
2. The early stage in the existence or development of something


childhood [ˈtʃaɪldhʊd]
n
the condition of being a child; the period of life before puberty

Childhood: (1) The time for a boy or girl from birth until he or she is an adult. (2) The more circumscribed period of time from infancy to the onset ofpuberty.

Definition: Early Childhood Education is a term that refers to educational programs and strategies geared toward children from birth to the age of eight. This time period is widely considered the most vulnerable and crucial stage of a person's life.
Early childhood education often focuses on guiding children to learn through play. The term often refers to preschool or infant/child care programs.

Childhood is a term used to denote a patchwork of memories, fabricated and designed wholly by a single mind, and imbued with a magical wistfulness known as nostalgia. The brain creates childhood by recalling and interpreting its memories, sometimes honestly and sometimes not. It forges childhood with a protective instinct, conforming it to the emotional needs of the individual.

Although childhood is not a neat construction, the mind automatically organizes it into a treelike structure, with central themes branching off into events and moments, the smallest of which make up the jagged outer edges of the leaves. Few people truly examine their childhood, but all are guided by it. It is the least tangible, but the most powerful, influence in a person’s life.


The period between infancy (about 1-2 years) and pubescence. Most of the physical and mental development of a person takes place in childhood. It is the critical period for establishing good habits of both exercise and nutrition which can last a lifetime. By the age of seven, nearly all of the motor control mechanisms in the brain are present and the child is rapidly developing motor skills.

During the major growth spurts (usually experienced by girls between the ages of 9 and 12 years, and by boys between 11 and 14 years) reasonable exercise encourages growth of muscles, tendons, and bones, but excessive exercise can permanently damage bones and joints. Most experts agree that, although exercise during childhood is important, the emphasis should be on fun. There are both physical and mental dangers if children are forced into activities for which they are not ready. Parents should work with expert coaches and the child, to ensure that exercises are appropriate and carry little risk of permanent injury