What Needs to Be Understood in Early Childhood Psychology

Various aspects must be considered during the child's growth and development, including from the psychological side. Parents must understand various aspects of the psychology of children from an early age so that the child's growth is maximal. Early childhood is a period of child development between the ages of two years to six or seven years. At this time, children experience rapid development, ranging from physical, emotional, knowledge, to abilities.

Recognize the Three Sides of Development

There are three sides to the development of early childhood that affect children's psychology, namely:

• Physical growth and development

Early childhood physical development is the result of interactions between hereditary and environmental factors. At this time, it is important to create an environment that can stimulate growth by letting children explore and try new things. This is because the brain grows rapidly at the age of 2-6 years, until it reaches about 90% of the adult brain, which is accompanied by a rapid cognitive ability (reasoning / thinking).

• Cognitive growth

Children's cognitive development has begun to be recognized when children are able to learn by using symbols, as their linguistic development or ability to master the language used. At this time, imagination and memory are also just that, children at this time have not been fully able to think logically, cause-effect relationships, time perceptions, and comparisons.

• Social and emotional growth

Social and emotional development are two interrelated sides. This development usually involves the acquisition of values, knowledge, and skills that enable children to relate to others effectively and contribute in a positive way to the family, school and community.

Beware of Psychological Harassment

Psychological abuse has a significant negative impact on children's psychology. Unfortunately, this type of harassment is usually perpetrated by people closest to you, including parents, relatives, or caregivers. Do not underestimate the psychological abuse of children. Some examples of psychological abuse include calling negative, humiliating, threatening, and letting the child see abuse done to others. This is often known as bullying. In addition, psychological abuse can also occur when parents ignore the child's presence. Adverse effects of child psychological abuse include slow mental development, difficulty having healthy relationships, and can trigger problems at school. In addition, psychological abuse in children can also result in disorders such as anxiety, stress, post-traumatic depression, and decreased levels of self-confidence. It is undeniable, being a parent is one of the hard tasks. Although injuries due to psychological abuse are not visible, there are many negative effects on children. If necessary, consult the problem of child psychology with a psychologist or pediatrician.