Page 31 - Biblical Counseling II-Textbook

color, shape of face, eyes, etc. From nurture would be habits, being secure, skills you learn from
parents, behaviors you see modeled from those around you” (Myers, p. 70, 2009).

Motor Development is physical coordination enabled by the developing brain. As an infant’s muscles
and nervous system mature, more complicated skills emerge. With occasional exceptions, the sequence
of physical (motor) development is universal. Babies roll over before they sit unsupported, and they
usually crawl on all fours before they walk. These behaviors reflect not imitation but a maturing nervous
system; blind children, too, crawl before they walk.
Genes play a major role in motor development. Identical twins typically begin sitting up and walking on
nearly the same day. Maturation – including the rapid development of the cerebellum at the back of the
brain – creates our readiness to learn walking at about age 1. Experience before that time has a limited
effect. Look at the above chart of early childhood development milestones. Every child develops
differently, but this chart is a guide to development.

Maturation and Infant Memory: Our earliest memories seldom come before our third birthday. By 4 to
5 years, childhood “amnesia” is giving way to remembered experiences.
Reflection: What is your earliest memory? Write about it below. These memories are usually associated
with a strong emotion like happiness, sadness, fear or excitement.
Social Development

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