Definition and Pronunciation
Children (IPA: /ˈtʃɪldrən/; pronounced CHIL-druhn) is the plural form of child and refers to young human beings from birth until the legal or socially recognized age of adulthood. Children undergo continuous physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral development as they grow. Their development is influenced by family, education, healthcare, culture, community, and life experiences.
Easy Explanation
Children are young people who are still growing and developing. During childhood, they learn language, communication, problem-solving, emotional regulation, social skills, and many other abilities that prepare them for adulthood.
Children depend on adults for care, protection, education, and guidance. A safe, supportive, and respectful environment helps children develop confidence, healthy relationships, and positive lifelong habits.
Grammatical Formation
- Part of speech: Plural noun
- Singular: child
- Related adjective: child, childhood
- Related words: childhood, parenting, family, development
Word Comparisons
Children vs. Child
Child refers to one young person, while children refers to two or more young people.
Children vs. Adolescents
Children generally refers to individuals before adulthood, while adolescents specifically refers to young people undergoing the developmental stage of adolescence, often associated with puberty and increasing independence.
Children vs. Offspring
Offspring is a broader biological term referring to the young produced by parents in humans or other animals. Children specifically refers to young human beings.
Connotations
The word children generally has a positive and protective connotation. It is associated with growth, learning, care, education, safety, and healthy development.
Meaning with Prepositions
- Children in school.
- Children with supportive families.
- Children from different backgrounds.
- Children underadult supervision.
- Children between different age groups.
Real-Life Examples
Parents encourage children to develop kindness, honesty, and respect for others.
Teachers help children build confidence through learning and positive encouragement.
Healthcare professionals support children’s physical and emotional development throughout childhood.
Synonyms
- Young people
- Minors
- Youth (context-dependent)
- Kids (informal)
- Juveniles (legal context)
Antonyms
- Adults
- Grown-ups
- Mature individuals
Related Terms
- Child
- Childhood
- Human development
- Family
- Parenting
- Adolescence
- Puberty
- Education
- Health
- Human sexuality
Common Collocations
- Children
- Young children
- School-age children
- Children’s development
- Children’s health
- Children’s education
- Family support
- Healthy development
- Emotional well-being
- Child protection
Idiomatic and Figurative Usage
The word children is also used figuratively to describe people regarded as the products or followers of a particular place, culture, movement, or idea, such as “the children of the digital age.” Its primary meaning refers to young human beings.
Sample Sentences
- Children learn through play, education, and everyday experiences.
- Every child deserves a safe and supportive environment.
- Healthy relationships begin with respect and kindness.
- Families play an important role in children’s development.
- Education helps children develop knowledge and confidence.
Connection to Sexuality
Children are an important part of discussions about human sexuality because healthy development includes learning age-appropriate information about the body, personal safety, privacy, respect, consent, and personal boundaries. Such education is intended to promote health, well-being, and protection while helping children understand themselves as they grow.
Understanding children within human development also emphasizes the importance of safeguarding, supportive family relationships, evidence-based health education, and environments that respect every child’s dignity, rights, and overall well-being.
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