Our practice is called Child Development, due to our teams’ dedication to supporting your child develop the skills they need to reach their potential and achieve their dreams.

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Child development refers to the sequence of physical, language, thought and emotional processes which occur from birth to the beginning of adulthood. During this complex developmental journey, a child becomes increasingly independent. Child development is strongly influenced by genetic factors and events during prenatal life. It is also influenced by environmental factors and the child’s learning capacity. Child development can be actively enhanced through individualised therapeutic support and ‘just right’ challenges.

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What does child development include?

Child development covers the full scope of skills that a child masters over their life span including development in:

• Physical skills – fine motor (finger) skills and gross motor (whole body) skills

• Cognition – the ability to learn and problem solve

• Social interaction and emotional regulation – interacting with others and mastering self-control

• Sensory awareness – the registration of sensory information for use

• Speech and Language – understanding and using language, reading and communicating

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Why is child development important?

Child development forms the foundation of all adult skills; therefore, it is vital to maximise their well-being as adults. Optimizing children’s early development strengthens their brain development, physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development for their future success. The earliest possible detection (and early intervention if appropriate) of developmental challenges can be helpful in minimizing the impact these may have on your child’s skill development and subsequently their confidence. At Child Development our team sees your child’s unique skills within the context of your family and community, validate your concerns, and design individualised support plans so your child can become successful in their own way.

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Problems in Child Development

Problems in child development can be linked to life events, temperament, genetics, prenatal circumstances, the presence of a specific diagnosis or medical factors, and/or the lack of opportunity or exposure to early learning opportunities. Specific assessment can provide clarity about your child’s strengths and developmental challenges. This information is used by our therapy team to develop individualised and child-centred support plans to help your child achieve their goals. Due to the complexities of child development, our therapy team works in a collaborative way to simultaneously (as required) to support your child, family and their school.

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Please contact us if you are concerned about your child’s development or if you need any advice or support.