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Developmental trends and changes in children: Comparing assessment data of Japanese children from 1983 and 2020

Objectives In the recent years, children have undergone various changing circumstances. So, this study aimed to investigate the developmental changes in Japanese children over 40 years. Methods Data were collected using standardized testing materials of the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development (KSPD). Individual assessment data were gathered for 1026 and 1655 children, aged 1–13 years old, from 1983 and 2020, respectively. We compared the “50%-passing ages” for each of the 115 items in both samples at which 50% of children would succeed in the task of items. Results　 Some test items demonstrated minimal change; however, several items in various developmental areas reported acceleration, while others showed delay. Particularly, for naming the four colors, development was found to be accelerated by 12 months. However, development for second and third aspects of the origami tasks and for copying squares, triangles, and diamonds had been delayed by 3–6 and 9–11 months, respectively. Conclusion These developmental changes were attributed to rapid social and nurturance environmental changes. It may be essential to observe and understand these changes and support them better in the future.