Differences between a child’s physical development and mental development are due primarily to the unique way the child’s brain develops. The family activity site Red Tricycle explains that physical development includes the child’s gross motor skills, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as the body grows and the child becomes more active. Conversely, a child’s social, emotional and intellectual development relate to how the child’s brain develops. Development milestones for physical and mental development vary considerably from child to child. While both physical and mental development relies on nutrition, a child’s physical growth requires exercise and the opportunity to explore and interact with the physical world. A child’s social, emotional, and intellectual development depends on a loving environment that promotes self-awareness, social awareness, problem-solving, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to focus attention. Brain development is affected by the child’s environment, relationships, and experiences. Disruptions to a child’s home and family circumstances can hinder the child’s ability to learn and relate to others. This can have lifelong consequences, according to Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child.
- Children exhibit signs of anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental conditions at a very early age. However, children don’t react to traumatic events the way adults do, which can make diagnosing these conditions difficult.
- A child’s genetic predispositions can interact with stress-inducing experiences over a sustained period to increase the likelihood of mental health problems enduring into adulthood.
- Toxic stress hinders the brain’s development and impacts a child’s other organs, which in turn impacts both the physical and mental health of the child. It also impairs the child’s ability to learn. Persistent poverty is a primary cause of toxic stress in children. Other causes include abuse, chronic neglect, domestic violence and parental mental illness.
