title: The cognitive and social development of the child.
abstract: The social and psychological development of children from birth to adolescence is described using the framework of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. This theory proposes that children's understanding of the world proceeds through four broad stages, with each stage demonstrating an increasingly sophisticated understanding of concepts and how they can be used. The relevance of this development for children's understanding of oral health, disease and dental care is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Dental Institute, Caldecot Road, London.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development / Q000502:physiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003729:Dental Care; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010553:Personality Development; D012951:Socialization