Understanding child development

Dr Sara McLean, Australia, August 2020

Resource Summary

These fact sheets are part of a series from the Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health that outlines the key developmental issues and experiences for children, from birth to age 12. They provide a brief description of how adverse events may be experienced by children at different ages, and how adults can support a child that has been exposed to disruptive life events.

Understanding child development

Ages 0-3 years
Understanding child development

Ages 3–5
Understanding child development

Ages 5–8
Understanding child development

Ages 9–12

Discover more resources

Workshop

Children’s art workshop series

Emerging Minds

As part of a 2023 lived experience activity, Emerging Minds led creative workshops with children whose inspired artworks have informed our activities and resources.
Short article

Building a sustainable lived experience partnership: The Lived Experience Network practice example

Lydia Trowse, Emerging Minds

This practice example from the SA Department of Human Services's Lived Experience Network explores what we can learn from peoples’ lived experience of adversity and why it's important to the co-design of services and systems.
Research summary

Child conduct challenges and evidence-based parent training

Prepared by AIFS

This is a summary of a pilot randomised controlled trial that examined a new intervention for children whose conduct challenges persisted after evidence-based parent training.
Research summary

Early‐life pathways to inequalities in child mental health

Prepared by AIFS

This is a summary of a study examining how early-life socioeconomic disadvantage is linked to children’s mental health at school entry.
Research summary

Peripartum mental health and digital media exposure in infants and young children

Prepared by AIFS

This is a summary of a systematic review and meta-analysis on whether peripartum depression is associated with digital media exposure in infants and young children.
Research summary

Anxiety and depression during the transition from childhood to adolescence

Prepared by AIFS

This is a summary of a study that used longitudinal data to examine how anxiety and depressive symptoms influence one another during the transition from childhood to adolescence.
Webinar

Implementing support for children experiencing attention and behaviour challenges

Emerging Minds and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

Turning plans into practice is key to supporting children and families effectively. This webinar focuses on implementing support goals for children with attention and behaviour challenges, with practical tips for reviewing progress and adapting strategies over time. Panellists also explore how GPs can support families to navigate service pathways as well as connect families with the right resources to ensure care is coordinated, holistic and strengths based.
Report

Walking together: Co-created workforce development strategies to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

WellMob and Emerging Minds

This is a summary of a report based on findings from the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workforce Development Project led by WellMob and Emerging Minds.
Short article

Promoting collaboration between early education and mental health professionals to support trauma-impacted children

Yihan Sun (Monash University) & Anagha Joshi (Australian Institute of Family Studies)

This short article describes the value of cross-sector collaboration between early childhood education and mental health professionals in supporting trauma-impacted children.
Research summary

The effectiveness of bullying prevention-associated interventions among children and adolescents

Prepared by AIFS

This is a summary of an umbrella review of 30 meta-analyses involving over 700 studies of bullying prevention interventions for children and adolescents.
Research summary

The relationship between internet addiction and mental health conditions in children and young people

Prepared by AIFS

This is a summary of a systematic review examining 22 studies on the relationship between internet addiction and mental health conditions in children and adolescents.
Research summary

The effects of social media on adolescent mental health

Prepared by AIFS

This is a summary of a study that used longitudinal data to examine the effects of adolescents’ social media use on their mental health.

Understanding child development

Dr Sara McLean, Australia, August 2020

Resource Summary

Ages 0-3 years

Ages 3–5

Ages 5–8

Ages 9–12

Discover more resources

Children’s art workshop series

Building a sustainable lived experience partnership: The Lived Experience Network practice example

Child conduct challenges and evidence-based parent training

Early‐life pathways to inequalities in child mental health

Peripartum mental health and digital media exposure in infants and young children

Anxiety and depression during the transition from childhood to adolescence

Implementing support for children experiencing attention and behaviour challenges

Walking together: Co-created workforce development strategies to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

Promoting collaboration between early education and mental health professionals to support trauma-impacted children

The effectiveness of bullying prevention-associated interventions among children and adolescents

The relationship between internet addiction and mental health conditions in children and young people

The effects of social media on adolescent mental health

Subscribe to our newsletters