The word childhood derives from the Latin infans , which means "mute, unable to speak, who does not speak." It is the period of human life between birth and adolescence or the beginning of puberty.
The concept of childhood, as well as the importance given to children, has not always been the same but has evolved over the centuries. In the last 40 or 50 years, attention has been paid to this period of life, establishing it as a crucial moment in the physical, intellectual, social and emotional development of every human being.
When people accepted the importance of childhood, they began to take responsibility for the quality of life of children; their health, physical well-being and understanding the need to take care of their minds. Children require special attention during those years, childhood is fundamentally different from adulthood; it needs to be understood and respected as such.
The public recognition of this need has created abundant programs for young children, development in their education and even the establishment of the United Nations Rights of the Child in 1989.
Often the period of life that goes from birth to 14 years is accepted as childhood, but there are those who reserve this name for the period that ends at 7 years, or 10, at 12, and others until 16. The Convention on the Rights of the Child considers that it covers up to 18 years of age, unless the country's legislation provides for the age of majority earlier.
Generally, this period of life is divided into early childhood, which is the stage that goes from birth to 6 years; and in second childhood, which refers to the stage between 6 and 12 years approximately.
During childhood, very noticeable physical changes occur, the infant's body grows rapidly. In the early years, he learns to crawl, walk, and coordinate movements. Later, he learns to speak until he acquires a complete vocabulary and language. It also provides social and emotional development that will depend on the environment that surrounds it, interacts with children of their age and thus forms new friendships, among others.
