Growth and Development of Child

• What is Meaning Growth and Development of Child

Growth and development are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the concepts of growth and development in psychology. Although both are closely related to each other.

 The process of growth and development in child starts before its birth, that is, at conception itself. Life begins with conception. This is a major stage in the development of human life, the duration of which is very short, that is, from conception to the time of birth, it is usually a period of 9 months.

This stage is more important for these two reasons -

(1) What a person will become in the end, a lot is determined in this state and

(2) That the amount of growth and development that takes place at this time is greater than at any other time in a person's life.

 This period of growth and development is called the 'prenatal period' and the period after birth is called the 'late infancy'.

 Thus the process of growth and development that started in pregnancy continues in the postnatal period where it also interacts with the environment.

Further in this article, the meaning and definition of growth and development have been discussed separately, so that what is the difference between growth and development will also become clear.

• Definitions of Child Growth

 According to Sorenson, “Body growth refers to a relatively large increase in size and weight and is an indicator of growth and change that are positive and incremental. Body growth is found quantitatively in inches, pounds or other units.”

 According to Krogman,  "The growth of the child occurs according to biological laws."

Based on the above definitions, the characteristics of growth are as follows:

• Characteristics of Child Growth

1. Growth is measured quantitatively. This is a quantitative change.

2. Growth influences behavior and is affected.

3. Growth is actually of the body parts i.e. increase in the length, width, weight etc. of the body parts and increase in the size and structure of the internal organs and brain of the body.

4. Growth can be measured directly, such as length in inches, weight in pounds, etc.

•  Meaning and Definitions of Child Development

 Development depends on the process of growth, that is, the way the organs function or the efficiency is development. It is qualitative.

 According to Harlock, “Development is not confined to relatively growth but it consists in progressive changes which are systematically oriented towards the goal of maturity.”

 Drever, "That state of development which is specified in the form of progressive change towards a destination direction, is expressed continuously in the Creature, such as the embryo of any species to adulthood and progressive change.

 According to Lingren, “Growth and development are expressed not by changes in their appearance, but by changes in behavior.”

 From these definitions it can be concluded that   

• Features of Child Development

1. In development, emphasis is placed on qualitative changes rather than on quantitative ones. 

2. Growth is the growth of working capacity. 

3. Evolution is influenced by both heredity and environment. 

4. Development is a broader concept than growth. 

5. Development is a process from conception to death.

6. The pace of development is different in each stage. 

7. Under development, as a result of the physical growth of organs, there are changes in their way of working, functionality, working together with other organs, etc. 

8. Growth cannot be measured in terms of height and weight, but it is measured indirectly through behavior.

• What is the Meaning of Child Growth

1. Growth is quantitative i.e. the changes in growth can be directly measured as the term is used to describe the increase in weight and size of the body and its organs.

2. Growth is basically a physical change. In other words, growth refers to physical and behavioral changes.

3. Growth stops after a certain age and time. The nature of growth in this age group is external.

4. Growth is related to physical and mental maturity. It expresses only a particular aspect or a partial form.

5. Growth is narrowed. Maturity is the peak of growth beyond which it cannot progress i.e. growth and maturity are limited concepts.

6. There are individual differences in growth, that is, the growth of every child is not the same.

7. There is no definite order of growth and no definite direction.

• Meaning of Child Development

 Development is qualitative i.e. its direct measurement is not possible. It specifically expresses the changes taking place in the body parts or it indicates the working efficiency of the body parts.

 Development refers to the interrelationship of all the other sides. It includes physical, mental, social and emotional aspects.

 Growth continues throughout life and is internal. Development is the sum total of changes taking place in an organism. It is also related to the environment. 

 The meaning of development is broad. Therein lies growth. Growth is one of the components of development.

 Similarities are found in the stages of development, but there is a difference in its rate, extent and variation. 

There is a definite sequence in development and the direction of development is also fixed.

• Some Important Facts About Child Development 

1. Childhood is the baseline stage of life.

 Attitudes, habits and types of behavior become permanent in the early years of life. How successfully a person will be able to adjust with the circumstances of life as he grows up, a lot depends on the behavior of the initial years in life, etc.

 It has become clear from the study of adolescents that the foundation of man's functioning is laid within the first 10 years and most of its structure is also ready.

2. Growth comes from mature and learn.

 Maturity means the manifestation of the inherently hidden traits in a person. Learning refers to the practice and effort of a person. That is, maturation and learning are interrelated causes of development.

3. development follows a definite and predictable sequence 

Just as there is a developmental sequence in life after birth, in the same way, pre-birth development takes place in a certain order, that is, before birth, the sequence of development in life is from head to feet, in the same way, after birth, the components of the head, the feet grow faster than the share.

4. The order of development of behavior is the same in all individuals.

 For example, in writing, drawing, laughing, smiling etc., in social behavior, in reading and in arithmetic, etc., the same sequence is found in all children.

 The process of human development goes on continuously without breaking. The pace of development may sometimes be slow, sometimes fast, but whatever has happened in one stage of development continues to exist and influence subsequent stages as well.

5. The pace of development varies from person to person

Three types of child development pace are clearly visible - 

(1) continuous progress

(2) normal progress with intermittent pauses, and 

(3) normal progress with intermittent regressive tendencies.

The second type of pace is found to be the most widespread. Due to the difference in the pace of development, not all children of the same age reach the level of physical and mental development.

Also Read :

1. 7 Principles of Child Growth And Development