EDU3023Child Development

BY
MDM CHEMAH YUSOF

CHILD GROWTH &

DEVELOPMENT

DEFINITION
Newborn baby A newborn is an infant who is only hours, days,
or up to a few weeks old. refers to an infant in the first 28 days after
birth (Merriam-Webster online dictionary)
Infant The term infant is typically applied to young children between
the ages of 1 month and 12 months; however, definitions may vary
between birth and 1 year of age, or even between birth and 2 years of
age.
Toodleris a child between the ages of one and three. [1][2] The
toddler years are a time of great cognitive, emotional and social
development.

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

Growth can be defined as

an
increase
in
size,
length, height, and weight
or
the
changes
in
quantitative aspects of
an organism .

The general pattern of growth and

development
1)

Physical structure or Physique -

It involves changes in terms of height, weight, body

proportions and general physical appearance.
2)Internal

organs

It involves changes in the functions of glands, nervous

system, circulatory, digestive, muscular, reproductive and
etc.

 Development is a series of orderly progression

towards maturity. It implies overall qualitative
changes resulting in the improved functioning of the
organism.

GROWTH VS DEVELOPMENT

quantitative changes in size, weight

number etc.

one of the parts of development.

changes that take place in particular

aspects of the body & behaviour

continue throughout life but stops with

the attainment of maturity

changes may be measured

quantitative & observable

may or may
development.

not

bring

about

qualitative changes

changes in the quality

overall changes in the individual. Growth

is one of its parts

describes the changes in the organism

as a whole.

continuous process- from womb to tomb

changes are qualitative in nature &

cannot be measured- can be assessed

possible without growth

1. Growth and development is a continuous process, but it

does not proceed at a uniform rate.
2. Growth and development may be accelerated or
retarded.
3. The process of growth and development are influenced
by heredity and environment.
4. Growth is unique. Some functions that result from
growth are unique to the species like crawling, standing
and walking. These are called phylogenetic functions.
While functions that are unique to the individual are
called ontogenetic functions, like for example, skating
and bicycling which are acquired through practice and
not because one is a member of the species.

PRINCIPLE OF UNIQUE DEVELOPMENT

This states that even though
there is a set pattern of
development every individual
differs with regards to the time
he achieves the changes.
For eg. All children crawl before
standing but the age at which
they perform these activities is
different.

6. Growth is sequential. Human beings tend to develop in an

orderly and predictable sequence. The infant gradually
becomes mobile by lifting first his head, then his chest, and
then his abdomen. He sits, crawls, stands alone and then
walks in that order. The sequence is orderly, but the timing
may be varied.
7. Development is a product of maturation and learning.
8. The various aspects of development are integrated. For
example, gains in one phase of growth depends on gains in
other aspects, like emotional growth depending on social
growth and cognitive development depending on physical
growth.

Principles of Growth and

development
1)Continuity
2)Sequentiality
3) Generality to Specificity
4)Differentiality
5)Development proceeds from the head downward
6) Development proceeds from the centre of the body outward
7)Development depends on maturation and learning
8) Growth and development interralated

Growth chart

Continuity
Growth and Development is a continues process from
conception to death.

In the early years of life, development consists of

changes that lead the child to maturity not only of body
size and functioning, but also of behaviour.

. Even after maturity has been attained, development

does not end. Changes continue which lead to the period
of life known as senescence or old age.
These changes continue until death ends the life cycle.

PRINCIPLE OF SEQUENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

According to this, development follows a sequential
pattern wherein puberty is achieved before full physical
structure.

Sequentiality
All children follow a development pattern with
one stage leading to the next.
Eg - Infants stand before they walk; draw circles
before they make squares

Sequentiality
Every species, whether animal or human, follows a
pattern of development peculiar to it. This pattern in
general is the same for all individuals.
Social and behavioural scientists increasingly have
come to see development as a relationship between
organism and environment in a transaction or
collaboration.
Individuals work with and affect their environment, and
in turn the environment works with and affects them

At age one month, most children can...

Raise their heads slightly when lying on their stomachs
Briefly watch objects
Make "noise in throat" sounds
Pull away from a cloth or blanket on their faces

At age three months, most children can...

Lift their heads and chests when lying on their stomachs
Show vigorous body movement
Follow a moving person with their eyes
Recognize a bottle or breast
Smile when someone speaks to them

Sequentiality

 Development proceeds from general to specific. In all areas of

development, general activities always precedes specific activity.

For example;
- The fetus moves its whole body but incapable of making specific
responses
-Infants wave their arms randomly. They can make such specific
responses as reaching out for an object near them.

At age six months, most children can...

Sit with minimal support
Roll from their backs to their stomachs
Turn to locate and identify sounds
Transfer objects from hand to hand and from hand to mouth
Respond to friendly speech with a smile or coo

Differentiality
The tempo of development is not even. Individuals differ in the rate
of growth and development.
Boys and girls have different development rates. Each part of the
body has its own particular rate of growth. Development does not
occur at an even pace.
There are periods of great intensity and equilibrium and there are
periods of imbalance.
Development achieves a plateau and this may occur at any level
or between levels.

Development proceeds from the Head

downward
This principle describes the direction of growth and development.
The head region starts growth at first, following by which other organs
starts developing.
The child gains control of the head first, then the arms and then the
legs.
Infants develop control of the head and face movements at first two
months. In next few months they are able to lift themselves up by
using their arms. Next gain control over leg and able to crawl, stand,
walk, run, jump, climb, day by day.

Development proceeds from the centre

of the body outward
The directional sequence of development during both prenatal
and postnatal stages may either be (i) from head to foot, or (ii)
from the central axis to the extremities of the body.
The spinal cord develops before outer parts of the body.
The childs arms develops before the hands, the hands and
feet develops before the fingers and toes.
Fingers and toe muscles are the last to develop in physical
development.

The directional sequence of development

stages may either be (A) from head to
foot, or (B) from the central axis to the
extremities of the body.

Development depends on maturation

and learning
Maturation refers to the sequential characteristic of biological
growth and development.
The biological changes occur in sequential order and give
children new abilities.
Changes in the brain and nervous system account largely for
maturation. And help children to improve in thinking and motor
skills.
Children must mature to a, certain point before they can
progress to new skills.

PRINCIPLE OF INTERACTION OF
MATURATION & LEARNING

Maturation refers to the

changes in the developing
organism due to ripening of
abilities, characteristics, traits,
behaviour due to training etc.
This principle states that the
interaction of the maturity and
learning
process
of
an
individual influences growth
and development.

Development proceeds from the

simple to more complex
Children use their cognitive and language skills to reason
and solve problems.
Children at first are able hold the big things by using both
arms, In the next part able to hold things in a single hand,
then only able to pick small objects like peas, cereals etc.
Children when able to hold pencil, first starts draw circles
then squares then only letters after that the words.

Growth is a personal
Each child grows in his own
matter
personal manner. He/she should be
permitted to grow at his/her own
rate.

If we expects too much, he/she

may does even less than he/she is
able to do.

Growth comes from within

One or surrounding environment can encourage or
can hinder the energy of a child, but the drive force
that pushes a child to grow is carried inside him.
Parent or teacher job is to clear the track, guide the
child with loving acceptance and then relax and
enjoy.

Caption