Growth and Development

INTRODUCTION
• Life begins with conception and ends with death.
• Growth typically occurs during the first 20 years of life, with development continuing after that.
• All children go through predictable stages of development and growth.
• Each child's development is unique.
• Though they are frequently used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings.
• Life begins with conception and ends with death.
• Most people use the terms "growth" and "development" interchangeably and consider them to be
synonymous, but their meanings are not.
Growth
• An increase in the number and size of cells as they divide and synthesize new proteins; this results in an
increase in the overall size and weight of the organism or any of its parts.
• It is the process of physical maturation that results in an increase in body size and organ size.
Development
• A gradual change and expansion; progression from lower to higher levels of complexity; the emergence
and expansion of an individual's capabilities through growth, maturation, and learning.
• It is a gradual improvement in skill and capacity to function.
• Skinner defines development as a continuous and gradual process.According to Crow and Crow (1965),
development is concerned with growth as well as behavioral changes caused by environmental factors.
• It is a significant improvement in the child's functioning.
• It can be quantified through observation.
Development is Continuous
• Development is a continuous process: Development occurs throughout an individual's life.
• This process occurs in interaction with a person's living environment.
General to Specific Responses
 Children can initially hold large objects with both arms.
 They can then hold things in one hand and pick small objects like peas and cereals.
 When they first start holding the pencil, they draw a circle, then a square, then letters and words.
FACTORS AFFECTING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

 Growth and development depend upon multiple factors or determinants

 They influence directly or indirectly by promoting or hindering the process
 Genetic factors
 Prenatal factors
 Postnatal factors (e.g. Nutritional and Environmental factors).
 Genetic
 Sex
 Race and nationality
 Inheritance
Family with a Infant
 Babies born healthy have fully developed systems that allow their bodies to function, such as the ability
to suck, swallow, and breathe. All infants require responsive care from loving adults, proper nutrition, and
appropriate and stimulating environments to support the best possible physical development. Physical
development in infants and toddlers happens quickly during the first years of a child's life. Caregivers must
understand the various stages of infant and toddler physical development in order to respond appropriately to
children's needs.
Infants are born to explore their surroundings. While each child will progress through many stages of
physical development at their own pace, infants are often eager to move beyond their innate abilities to seek
people and objects of comfort or interest with their mouths, eyes, and bodies. They keep practicing skills and
layering one form of physical movement on top of another as they get closer to the desired objects. Continuous
observation and frequent conversations with families can help you learn what infants can do, what they're
learning, and where they need your help.
Physical development of infants begins at the top, with the head and neck. An infant has a difficult time
holding their head up at birth because their neck muscles are not strong enough to provide support. As infants
and toddlers develop, their desire to master movement, balance, and fine- and gross-motor skills grows. Rolling
and crawling occur as infants learn to use their large muscle groups. Small-muscle development includes
grasping and picking up objects with one's fingers.

Influences on Early Physical Growth and Development

There is no specific age at which all infants should be able to grasp objects and hold their heads up
without assistance. Physical development occurs at different times for each child, depending on a variety of
factors such as the child’s unique characteristics, the values and culture of the family, and access to available
resources. However, many infants and toddlers reach developmental milestones at roughly the same ages. The
chart below contains a comprehensive list of physical development milestones that children typically achieve
during infancy and toddlerhood.

Examples of Physical Development Milestones – Infants

2 Months
 Holds head up when on tummy
 Kicks both arms and legs while on back
 Briefly relaxes hands from fists for short periods
 Grasps adult finger
 Raises head and chest while lying on stomach
 Primitive reflexes present, including the rooting and sucking reflex
4 Months
 Holds head steady without support
 Maintains hold of a toy placed in their hands
 Swings arm at objects
 Brings hands to mouth
 Pushes up from ground onto elbows when lying on tummy
6 Months
  Rolls from tummy to back and may roll from back to tummy
 Pushes arms straight when on tummy
 Uses hands to support when sitting
 Supports weight equally on legs when standing with support
9 Months
 Moves into the sitting position without support
 Transfers items from one hand to the other
 Uses fingers as a “rake” to pull food and objects towards self
 Sits without support
 Lowers body with control while using support
12 Months
 Pulls up to stand
 Walks or “cruises” along furniture for support
 Drinks from a cup without a lid with adult support
 Uses thumb and finger “pincer grasp” to pick up small items

Family with a Toddler

Your child will rapidly change and grow during the toddler years, learning skills and interacting with the
world in new and different ways. This is referred to as development, and it includes cognitive development,
physical development, language skills, and social development.
Developmental milestones include abilities such as taking the first step, smiling for the first time, and
waving "bye-bye." Developmental milestones are activities that most children can perform by a certain age.
Children reach milestones in their play, learning, speaking, behavior, and movement (such as crawling, walking,
or jumping).
Toddlers move around more in their second year and become more aware of themselves and their
surroundings. Their desire to discover new objects and people is also growing. Toddlers will demonstrate
greater independence, begin to exhibit defiant behavior, recognize themselves in pictures or a mirror, and
imitate the behavior of others, particularly adults and older children, during this stage. Toddlers should also be
able to recognize familiar people and objects names, form simple phrases and sentences, and follow simple
instructions and directions.

Examples of Physical Development Milestones – Toddler

15 Months
 Takes a few steps independently
 Feeds themself finger foods
 Squats to pick up an object from the floor and then stands up without support
 Makes marks on paper using crayon
18 Months
 Walks independently
  Drinks from a cup
 Tries to use a spoon
 Climbs on and off furniture independently
 Tries to kick a ball after observing an adult
24 Months/ 2 Years
 Kicks a ball
 Runs
 Walks up and down the stairs while holding on for support
 Eats with a spoon
 Turns doorknobs
30 Months
 Uses hands to twist and unscrew objects
 Takes off loose clothing alone
 Jumps off the ground with both feet
 Can turn book pages one at a time
36 Months/ 3 Years
 Strings items onto a string such as large beads or macaroni
 Dresses self in loose clothing
 Uses a fork
 Pedals a tricycle