Standards for development and learning of early-aged children

Abstract

The results of many studies indicate that the first years of life are good base for the overall development and that they can not be established without providing qualitative physical and social environment for the early child development and learning. One of the first practical steps in providing qualitative environment for the early child development is creating standards for early development and learning. Project ‘National Frame of standards for early Development and Learning for Children in Serbia’ defines the standards of development expectations, and described wide domain of development. Each domain consists of sub-domains, and those of developmental lines. In each developmental line we have a description of ‘’what we expect’’ in that developmental aspect. This paper describes optimal child development from birth to six years through the changes in gross motor, fine motor skills, habits and child independence. In sub-domain of gross motor skills we are talking about developmental lines: head control, activities in the prone position, development of righting and activities in the sitting position, development of balance and activities in the standing position, and development of complex motor activities and skills .In sub domain of development of fine motor skills and recognition, we distinguish four developmental lines: holding and gripping objects, manipulation of objects, development of the senses, discrimination and recognition and the development of graph motor abilities. Sub domain – the ‘Adoption of Habits and Gaining Independence’ follows child’s activities that are related to the hygiene, nutrition and clothing.