Understanding Children's Psychological Development from 0-11 Years Old

Child psychological development encompasses the remarkable process of how children perceive, interact with, and make sense of their social and physical environments. From the moment they enter the world, infants begin to absorb information and form connections, shaping their cognitive, emotional, and behavioural abilities.

As children progress through different age groups, their psychological development manifests in various aspects, including language acquisition, emotional expression, social interactions, self-awareness, and moral understanding. Recognizing these unique characteristics at each stage empowers parents and educators to provide tailored support and guidance.

A child’s psyche is like a blank canvas, painted with a multitude of colours. Social culture, family, and school play significant roles in shaping a child’s personality and psychological development.

1. Social Culture

Culture is the cradle where a child’s psychological development takes shape. From the moment they are born, children absorb cultural values, ethical norms, and ways of behaving that have been passed down through generations. These serve as the building blocks for their character, nurturing their spirit and shaping their psychological outlook on the world around them.

2. Family

The family is where a child experiences love, protection, and the nurturing of a strong psyche. A positive family environment with healthy relationships, caring and understanding parents, fosters stable psychological development, self-confidence, the formation of good habits, and essential life skills.

> Read more: The Meaning of Being Positive Parents

3. School

School plays a vital role as an educational environment where children acquire knowledge, develop skills, and expand their social circle. A quality learning environment with dedicated teachers and supportive peers helps children develop their thinking, nurture their abilities, and gain positive experiences for their psychological development.

The harmonious integration of social culture, family, and school provides a solid foundation for a child’s overall psychological development. Parents and educators need to work closely together to nurture these young minds, creating a world where children can flourish.

1. Psychological Development Stage: 0 to 1 Year Old

The period from 0 to 1 year is a child’s infancy. This stage marks significant psychological developments, yet at this stage, children are still fragile and easily influenced by their surroundings.

Therefore, parents play a crucial role in establishing a sense of security and love for the child. Spend ample time cuddling, soothing, and talking to your baby to help them feel cared for and connected.

In addition, this is also the appropriate stage to instil good habits in your child, such as eating on time, getting enough sleep, and playing independently. Parents should patiently guide and praise their child’s positive behaviours to gradually establish independence.

2. Psychological Development Stage: 1 – 3 Years Old 

Between the ages of 1 and 3, children enter a period of explosive development, both physically and psychologically. This is when they begin to explore the world around them with vigour, forming self-awareness and expressing a wide range of emotions.

• Psychological Characteristics of 1-Year-Olds:  At this stage, children can recognize themselves in the mirror and understand that people and objects still exist even when they are not seen.

Motor skills and exploration take a leap forward, and they confidently move around, actively engage with everything using their hands, and discover the world through their senses. Language also takes significant steps forward.

• Psychological Characteristics of 2-Year-Olds: The emotional world of a child becomes richer and more vibrant. They easily express their emotions but can also change them quickly. Communication skills improve, and they understand spoken language and actively communicate with adults.

This is a time of rapid growth and development, marked by children asserting their independence and exploring their world with newfound curiosity.

• Psychological Characteristics of 3-Year-Olds: This stage marks the rapid development of curiosity in children. They will constantly ask questions like “What is it?” “What is that?” “Why?”… to explore the world around them. 

Their imagination and emotions also develop tremendously, and they enjoy role-playing games and know how to cooperate with friends. They also begin to develop a sense of right and wrong. They may start to understand basic rules and boundaries and show a willingness to please adults.  This is a crucial time to begin laying the foundation for good morals and social behaviour.

3. Psychological Development Stage: 3 – 6 Years Old

From 3 to 6 years old, a child’s inner world begins to undergo significant changes, marking a journey of remarkable development in emotions, cognition, and social skills.

• 3 – 4 Years Old: During this stage, children particularly enjoy talking and interacting with others, especially their peers. Their vocabulary expands rapidly, and they can form longer sentences, tell stories, and listen to stories with fascination. They begin to build friendships, enjoy participating in group activities, and are ready to share with others.

However, children at this age are learning to share and cooperate, which can sometimes lead to challenges in expressing their needs and desires. Despite their desire for independence and self-expression, they still require attention and protection from their parents.

• 5 – 6 Years Old: Children become more sensitive to criticism and struggle to accept their own mistakes or failures. Parents need to be mindful of this shift and show love and support to help their child feel cared for.

Children at this age start to value being around loved ones and see themselves as part of the family. They also become more forthright, readily sharing their thoughts and desires. They have a strong need for self-affirmation and want to be seen as the best or most capable.

4. Psychological Development Stage: 6 – 11 Years Old

From 6 to 11 years old, a child’s inner world continues to transform significantly, marking a crucial stage for development in learning, thinking, and personality.

Learning becomes the primary activity for children during this period. They gradually adapt to the school environment, acquire new knowledge, and broaden their learning scope to encompass scientific and abstract concepts. Their language skills also progress considerably, extending beyond everyday vocabulary to include complex scientific terms.

This stage is also fundamental for shaping a child’s personality, habits, and lifestyle. Proper guidance and education from both family and school are vital in helping children develop behaviours and a sense of right and wrong that align with societal norms.

Parents should dedicate time to talking with, listening to, and sharing various aspects of life with their children. They should be attentive to their child’s emotions and thoughts. Additionally, parents should strive to be positive role models, managing their own behaviour and emotions effectively for their children to observe and emulate.

As an International Bilingual School,  La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City is committed to providing a holistic education that encompasses a child’s psychological development. Our progressive curriculum, modern learning environment, and dedicated team of teachers will accompany your child on their journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Recognizing the significance of each stage in a child’s psychological development, La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City has designed age-appropriate learning programs and extracurricular activities. Children will engage in activities that foster intellectual growth, emotional well-being, social skills, and physical development, all within a safe, nurturing, and loving environment.

We at La Petite Ecole Ho Chi Minh City hope that the information provided in this article about the stages of child psychological development will help you gain a deeper understanding of your child, enabling you to implement appropriate educational methods that support their overall development. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact La Petite Ecole today.