Child Development
Child development entails the biological, psychological and emotional changes that occur in human beings between birth and the conclusion of adolescence, as the individual progresses from dependency to increasing autonomy. It is a continuous process with a predictable sequence, yet having a unique course for every child. It does not progress at the same rate and each stage is affected by the preceding developmental experiences. Because these developmental changes may be strongly influenced by genetic factors and events during prenatal life, genetics and prenatal development are usually included as part of the study of child development. Related terms include developmental psychology, referring to development throughout the lifespan, and pediatrics, the branch of medicine relating to the care of children. Developmental change may occur as a result of genetically-controlled processes known as maturation, or as a result of environmental factors and learning, but most commonly involves an interaction between the two. It may also occur as a result of human nature and our ability to learn from our environment.
There are various definitions of periods in a child's development, since each period is a continuum with individual differences regarding start and ending. Some age-related development periods and examples of defined intervals are: newborn (ages 0–4 weeks); infant (ages 4 weeks – 1 year); toddler (ages 1–3 years); preschooler (ages 4–6 years); school-aged child (ages 6–11 years); adolescent (ages 12–19).
Promoting child development through parental training, among other factors, promotes excellent rates of child development. Parents play a large role in a child's life, socialization, and development. Having multiple parents can add stability to the child's life and therefore encourage healthy development. Another influential factor in a child's development is the quality of their care. Child care programs present a critical opportunity for the promotion of child development.
The optimal development of children is considered vital to society and so it is important to understand the social, cognitive, emotional, and educational development of children. Increased research and interest in this field has resulted in new theories and strategies, with specific regard to practice that promotes development within the school system. There are also some theories that seek to describe a sequence of states that compose child development.
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Matching Child Development Colleges
Fresno Pacific University
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $32,954 average out-state tuition; $32,954 average in-state tuition |
Texas Woman's University
Four or more years; Public; $15,408 average out-state tuition; $5,616 average in-state tuition |
Ashford University
Four or more years; Private for profit; $13,280 average out-state tuition; $13,280 average in-state tuition |
Central Michigan University
Four or more years; Public; $12,644 average out-state tuition; $12,644 average in-state tuition |
Point Loma Nazarene University
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $38,800 average out-state tuition; $38,800 average in-state tuition |
Tulsa Community College
At least 2 but less than 4 years; Public; $8,101 average out-state tuition; $2,701 average in-state tuition |
Post University
Four or more years; Private for profit; $15,258 average out-state tuition; $15,258 average in-state tuition |
Scholarships for Child Development Majors
UNCF/CVS Health Foundation Health Care Careers ScholarshipUNCF, Inc |
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award $10,000 |
deadline May 15, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe UNCF/CVS Health Foundation Health Care Careers Scholarship is available to full-time, junior-level undergraduate students who identify as African American/Black or Latino/a/e. To be considered for this renewable award, you must be majoring in pharmacy, nursing, business management, biology, biochemistry, finance, operations/supply chain,... View Scholarship Details |
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NEXT for Autism FellowshipNEXT for Autism, Inc. |
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award Up to $10,000 |
deadline May 09, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe NEXT for Autism Fellowship is available to rising freshman and sophomore students and to current health and human service professionals going back to earn a degree at a two- or four-year public college program. To be considered for this fellowship, you must be pursuing a degree in a health or human services field and be committed to serving... View Scholarship Details |
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Mat-Su Health Foundation Vocational ScholarshipMat-Su Health Foundation |
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award Up to $5,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Mat-Su Health Foundation Vocational Scholarship is available to students who have been a resident within the Mat-Su Borough of Alaska for a minimum of one year. To be considered for this award, you must be pursuing studies in health and human services at a vocational/technical school and be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident. View Scholarship Details |
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Legacy Scholars Award - College of Ed and Human Dev - UM, Twin CitiesUniversity of Minnesota, Twin Cities |
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award $5,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Legacy Scholarship is available to students entering the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. You must be majoring in Family Social Science or Youth Studies and demonstrate a strong academic record, leadership qualities and extracurricular involvement to be eligible for this award. U.S.... View Scholarship Details |
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Lewis and Clark Board of Trustees Career ScholarshipLewis and Clark Community College |
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award $5,000 |
deadline April 10, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe Lewis and Clark Board of Trustees Career Scholarship is available to entering full-time students at Lewis and Clark Community College. You must be enrolled in a career program, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or a minimum 19 ACT score to qualify for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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Betty Gray Early Development Childhood ScholarshipLinn-Benton Community College |
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award Up to $4,000 |
deadline April 25, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe Betty Gray Early Childhood Development Scholarship is available to students at Linn-Benton Community College. You must be majoring in child and family studies, be an Oregon resident, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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Fred Rogers ScholarshipSaint Vincent College |
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award $2,500 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Fred Rogers Scholarship is open to entering freshmen students at Saint Vincent College who are interested in interested in pursuing careers involving children, early learning, and media for young children. View Scholarship Details |
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Early Childhood Educators Scholarship ProgramMassachusetts Department of Higher Education |
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award Up to $4,500 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program is open to students who are residents of Massachusetts. You must be a matriculated undergraduate student majoring in early childhood education or a related field (e.g. elementary education, sociology, psychology) at an eligible college or university in Massachusetts. You must also have been... View Scholarship Details |
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Rev. Zanos Gougoutas, Christopher, and Drs. George and Bess Kypros Family ScholarshipMadonna University |
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award $1,625 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Rev. Zanos Gougoutas, Christopher, and Drs. George and Bess Kypros Family Scholarship is available to full-time students at Madonna University. You must be pursuing an autism spectrum disorders graduate program or child development or early childhood education graduate or undergraduate program to be eligible for this award. In addition,... View Scholarship Details |
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Citigroup Early Childhood Scholarship - Park UniversityPark University |
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award $1,300 |
deadline June 30, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe Citigroup Early Childhood Scholarship is available to students at Park University. You must be seeking a degree in child and family studies or early childhood education with certification. You must also have a GPA of at least 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. Additionally, you must have one year of experience in the field of early... View Scholarship Details |
Child Development Related Majors
- Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
- Child Care Provider/Assistant
- Human Nutrition
- Child Care and Support Services Management
- Fashion and Fabric Consultant
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
- Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management
- Apparel and Textile Marketing Management
- Facilities Planning and Management
- Family and Community Services
- Apparel and Textiles
- Foodservice Systems Administration/Management
- Consumer Economics
- Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies
- Business Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
- Family Systems
- Housing and Human Environments
- Early Childhood and Family Studies