The three main domains of development are physical, cognitive, and psychosocial (also called socio-emotional).

Physical development

Physical development involves growth and changes in the body and brain, including height and weight, senses, motor skills, and overall health and wellness. It includes both large movements (like walking or jumping) and fine movements (like grasping a pencil), as well as brain maturation that supports these abilities.

Cognitive development

Cognitive development focuses on mental processes such as learning, attention, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and creativity. Changes in this domain explain how children move from simple ways of understanding the world to more complex problem-solving and abstract thinking across the lifespan.

Psychosocial development

Psychosocial development (often called socio-emotional) involves emotions, personality, self-concept, and social relationships. This domain covers how people form attachments, manage feelings, build friendships, and develop a sense of identity within their social world.