AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT
P.I.E.S
How is a child’s development
like a pie?
Crust-is the structure of the pie; it holds the pie together (like
physical development)
Filling-is all the stuff inside the pie just like the things inside you
(intellectual and emotional development)
Topping-there are lots of options to pair with pie, just like there
are a lot of people in the world to interact with (social
development
Each part/ingredient is important to the whole pie!
P=PHYSICAL
• Having to do with the growth of the body & strength and coordination of
muscles
• Motor Skills: the movement and control of muscles
– Gross/Large motor skills: movement and control of large muscles
(back, legs, shoulders, and arms)
– Fine/Small motor skills: movement and control of small body parts
(hands, fingers)
• Hand/Eye Coordination: the ability of the eyes and hand/arm
muscles to work together to make complex movements
PHYSICAL CONTINUED…
• Focuses on growth such as height & weight
• Development of the senses
• Physical development depends on
opportunities to develop small/large motor
skills & to maintain health through proper
nutrition, exercise, rest and
medical care
I=INTELLECTUAL
This area has to do with:
the mind & brain
learning & problem-solving
school concepts
creative thinking skills
language & literacy
moral development
Intellectual Continued
• Cognitive Development: the construction of
thought process; including remembering,
problem solving, and decision making
• Concrete Thinking: ability to process ideas
that are visible or objective (ex: police officer)
• Abstract Thinking: ability to process ideas that
are not visible or objective; often these are
ideas that are invisible, complex, and
subjective (ex: justice system)
• Conscience: an inner sense of right and wrong
E=EMOTIONAL
• Identifying and expressing feelings
– Tantrum: an uncontrolled outburst of anger and
frustration, typically in a young child
• Understanding others feelings
• Developing a positive self-concept
S=SOCIAL
• Getting along with & interacting with others
that includes:
– Sharing & taking turns
– Cooperating & playing together
– Appreciating diversity
– Following rules & appropriate behaviors (manners)
Social Continued
• Types of play
– Parallel Play: playing alongside another child, but
not with them
– Cooperative Play: children play with other
children; learn to share, take turns, solve
problems, and control their emotions
CASE STUDY
Four year old Libby woke up from her nap hungry. Her mother
had promised that they would make muffins, a favorite snack.
So mom read the recipe and helped Libby measure the
ingredients and put them in the correct order. Mom even let her
stir at appropriate times. She also lined the muffin tin with
paper liners and helped pour the batter into them. When the
muffins finished baking and came out of the oven, Libby
squealed with delight saying “I did it…..I made muffins!” She
was so proud of herself. Together, mom and Libby, enjoyed
muffins with a cold glass of milk, which Libby poured by herself.
Identify the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social areas of
development taking place in this scenario….
KEY
• Physical: small motor skills with stirring &
pouring & lining muffin tins
• Intellectual: following directions, sequencing, &
measuring
• Emotional: joy, pride, increased self-esteem
• Social: mom & child spending time together