childhood

The word “childhood” means the period of a person's life from birth to the onset of adolescence. In plain terms, the years of being a child, before you grow into a teenager or adult.

“Childhood” is pronounced CHYLD-huud (/ˈtʃaɪld.hʊd/ in IPA).

Here is “childhood” used in a sentence: “She spent her childhood in a small coastal town.”

“Childhood” is a noun.

The word “childhood” comes from Old English. From Old English ċildhād, formed from "child" plus the suffix -hood, which marks a state or condition.

“Childhood” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

Childhood is the earlier stage, running from birth until the body and mind begin the changes of puberty. Adolescence follows, bridging childhood and adulthood as a person matures physically and emotionally through the teenage years. In short, childhood ends roughly where adolescence begins, though the exact boundary varies from person to person.

Childhood is often divided into infancy, the first year or so of life; toddlerhood, roughly ages one to three; early childhood or the preschool years; and middle childhood, covering the primary-school years up to about eleven or twelve. Each stage brings its own physical, emotional, and social milestones.

Childhood lays the foundation for the rest of life. It is when the brain develops fastest and when basic language, movement, and social skills form. Early experiences, relationships, and learning shape health, personality, and future wellbeing, which is why a safe and supportive childhood matters so much for later development.

There is no single fixed age, because childhood ends with the onset of adolescence, which begins with puberty. This typically starts somewhere between about ten and thirteen, often a little earlier for girls than boys. Since bodies mature at different rates, the end of childhood naturally varies from one person to another.