Child Development (KS4)

"There is in every child at every stage a new miracle of vigorous unfolding"

Erik H.Erikson

Staff members

Ms L Davidson - Head of Child Development

Dr L Downie 

Subject Definition

Child development refers to the growth and development, that is, to the physical, cognitive, emotional and social changes that an individual will experience from infancy through to adolescence.

As children, we have all grown and developed as a result of the care and nurture of others, even at a time when we were so young, we did not know the people caring for us. Our survival depends on a range of people that ensure that we advance and grow physically, emotionally and socially from the stage we are an unborn baby, to a newborn, and then to a toddler and a young child. Learning about the care, nurture and growth of children in all of these stages is entirely relatable for all of us. We sometimes remember some of those stages that have happened for us, and we see people in everyday life becoming parents and caring for their children. Child Development allows us to look at the development and growth of babies and children from the perspectives of parents, and healthcare and childcare professionals.

What do Students Learn at Key Stage 4?

At Key Stage 4 students will learn about all of the considerations that parents make before they actually become parents. This learning journey takes us through maintaining a healthy pregnancy and the stages of labour and birth, and the care that a newborn baby will need.

Students go on to study how health professionals support parents and families during pregnancy and the months after a baby is born. As the course develops, students go on to look at common childhood illnesses, and the safety of children in both the home and in a nursery setting. Later in the course, students go on to write their own Child Study. This is a social study where they will identify the expected age-related milestones a child should be demonstrating in relation to their physical development. They will plan a range of activities to assess whether the child in their study is meeting their expected age-related milestones.

Qualification Information

Level 1/2 Cambridge National Certificate in Child Development
Exam board: OCR 
Course Code: J809
https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/610941-specification-cambridge-nationals-child-development-j809.pdf