Final answer:
The question addresses the critical periods and developmental milestones in a child's life when specific experiences greatly influence their development, particularly during infancy and early childhood. It discusses the role of socialization, such as formal education, and contrasts the norms in different cultures regarding child labor and schooling.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the developmental milestones and critical periods in a child's life, focusing on how experiences, or their absence, during these times can have a significant influence on a child's development. Infants and preschool-age children, in particular, are highly vulnerable to changes, especially dramatic ones like a divorce, which can disrupt the routines that are crucial at this stage in life. During infancy and early childhood, children are highly dependent on their caregivers, which gradually shifts as they become toddlers, adolescents, and teenagers, asserting their independence as they grow.
Socialization experiences such as the start of formal education in school are significant in shaping a young child's life. In the United States, child labor laws and educational mandates serve as social norms that continue to prioritize learning during childhood, in contrast to countries where child labor is still prevalent and socially accepted, significantly altering the life course of these children. Not all normative events, such as the start of formal education, are universal, reflecting the diversity of cultural expectations and practices that influence development.