Child Development
Piaget’s stages of cognitive development A concise reference for families, educators, and writers shaping kidlit that fits how children think at each age. Sensorimotor Age range: Birth to 18–24 months | Goal for stage: Object permanence The infant learns about the world through their senses and through their actions
Child Development
Kohlberg’s stages of moral development A compact reference for stories that touch fairness, rules, loyalty, and conscience—without replacing your own ethical or developmental nuance. Preconventional (Level 1) Stage 1 Typical ages (from author notes): about 2–6 Description: Children judge whether an action is good or bad according
Child Development
Symbolic (pretend) play and preschool play Developmental anchors for scenes with make-believe, props, and peer play—drawn from your reference notes. Development of symbolic play Age Self or other centered (decentration) Decontextualization (substitution) Integration (organized play) Implications 12 months Make-believe actions are centered on the self, usually when the child
Child Development
Speech and language milestones Age-anchored patterns useful when writing authentic dialogue and caregiver scenes. Verify current clinical guidance with your pediatric or SLP references. Birth to 5 months * Coos * Vocalizes pleasure and displeasure sounds differently (laughs, giggles, cries, or fusses) * Makes noise when talked to 6 to 11 months * Understands
Resilience
Writing resilience Framing kidlit as developmentally appropriate challenge—and as a bridge for adults to nurture protective factors. Resilience is… “…an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.” Merriam-Webster “…the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.” Oxford Languages Who I am and