Workshop: Understanding Child and Youth Development

As a result of this workshop, participants will:

• Identify five distinct age groups from birth to adolescence
• Understand five domains of development
• Generate activity ideas specific to age groups and/or domains of development

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Toolbox Training highly recommends the Ages & Stages: Understanding Child Development book as a complement to this workshop. Click here for information on that and other books from Toolbox Training.

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Check out this video of the Power Point presentation from this workshop for an idea of what you can expect:

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To have this delivered as an on-site workshop contact Toolbox Training.

Check out the workshops tab for a full list of titles.

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The 5 Domains of Child and Youth Development

When discussing child and youth development, there are five basic domains. Each is explained briefly below. You can click on the domain to go to a page with more information, including links to activities to support that development.

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Physical – how we move “The process of gaining control of our large and small muscles as well as the use of the senses.”

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Cognitive – how we think “It is not the same as intelligence. It is “the construction of thought processes, including remembering, problem solving, and decision-making, from childhood through adolescence to adulthood.” – Gale Encyclopedia of Children’s Health

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Communication and Language – how we interact Communication is “the expression of ideas, thoughts, and feelings to others.” Language is a system of words and the rules for their use in speaking, listening, reading and writing. – adapted from Caring for Children in School-Age Programs

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Social and Emotional – how we feel “The capacity to recognize and manage emotions, solve problems effectively, and establish positive relationships with others.” – Joseph E. Zins and Maurice J. Elias, “Social and Emotional Learning”

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Self – who we are “Understanding who you are [and] how you identify yourself in terms of culture, environment, physical attributes, preferences, skills, and experiences.” – from Caring for Children in School-Age Programs II

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Above information from Francis Institute for Child and Youth Development (2014). Professionall Development for Afterschool/Youth Workers (a series of 24 modules). Metropolitan Community College; Kansas City, MO.

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Toolbox Training Resources: Toolbox Training (2017). “The 5 Age Groups of Child and Youth Development” David Whitaker (2017). Ages & Stages: Child and Youth Development (downloadable pdf book) Toolbox Training workshop: Understanding Child and Youth Development

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The 5 Age Groups of Child and Youth Development

When discussing child and youth development, there are five different age groups to consider:

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Infants – This covers ages 0 months to 12 months old.

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Toddlers – This covers from 12 months to 3 years old.

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Preschoolers – This covers from 3 years to 5 years old.

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Schoolagers – This covers from 5 years to 12 years old.

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Adolescents – This covers from 13 years old to 17 years old.

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Related: Article: “The 5 Domains of Child and Youth Development” Workshop: “Understanding Child and Youth Development”

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