Growth - ANSWER refers to specific body changes and increases in the child's size, such
as a child's height, weight, head circumference, and body mass index. These size changes
can usually be easily measured.
Development - ANSWER typically refers to an increase in complexity, a change from rela-
tively simple to more complicated. Development usually involves a progression along a con-
tinuous pathway on which the child acquires more refined knowledge, behaviors, and skills.
The sequence is basically the same for all children, however, the rate varies.
Growth definition - ANSWER Growth is defined as specific body changes and increases in
the child's size, proceeding from the head downward and from the center of the body out-
ward.
During the first year of an infant's life, - ANSWER babies can grow ten inches in length
and triple their birth weight.
After the first year, - ANSWER a baby's growth in length slows to five inches a year for the
next two years and then continues from age two or three to puberty at a rate of two to
three inches each year.
Similarities in growth: - ANSWER Growth proceeds from the head downward and from
the center of the body outward.
Children gain control of the head and neck first, then the arms, and finally, the legs.
At birth, the brain, heart, and spinal cord are fully functioning to support the infant.
As children grow, the arm and leg muscles develop, followed by the finger and toe muscles.
1
,Differences in growth: - ANSWER Some children are taller, some shorter. Some children
are smaller, while others are larger.
These differences are completely typical. Typical growth is supported by good nutrition, ade-
quate sleep, and regular exercise.
Children do not grow at perfectly steady rates throughout childhood.
Children will experience weeks or months of slightly slower growth, followed by growth
spurts.
Differences in the amount of growth can be a source of self-consciousness for some children.
Because each child is different and special, it is important to help them understand this con-
cept in order to develop a sense of self-acceptance. - ANSWER It is important to help the
children in your care understand that differences in growth patterns are typical.
Development definition - ANSWER Development refers to an increase in complexity; a
change from relatively simple to more complicated.
Progress - ANSWER Development usually involves a progression along a continuous se-
quential pathway on which the child acquires more refined knowledge, behaviors, and skills.
Rate varies - ANSWER The developmental sequence is basically the same for all children;
however, the rate of development varies from child to child
Principles of Child Development - ANSWER There are five principles related to the pro-
gression of general development that children will typically experience.
1 - Developmental Sequence is Similar for All - ANSWER Children develop in relatively the
same ways.
There is a typical sequence of development that occurs as a child grows.
While the sequence is similar, and the behaviors or skills emerge in the same order, children
can take more or less time with each behavior or skill.
They can move forward, regress for a short time, then move forward again.
2
, Some children may skip a behavior or skill as they move forward.
2 - Development Proceeds from General to Specific - ANSWER Development progresses
from a beginning point moving in a forward direction.
Just as growth of an infant proceeds from the top down and from the center of the body to
the limbs, development of behaviors and skills moves from general to specific.
As children mature, their bodily changes occur in a sequential order and give children new
abilities.
As the brain and nervous system develop, a child's thinking (cognitive) skills and motor skills
improve.
In the Physical Development Domain, an infant's large muscles develop first and result in the
ability to wave the arms and kick the legs.
Development continues in the smaller muscles in the fingers and toes, and results in the
ability of the fingers to grasp objects and the toes to help with balance when standing and
walking.
3 - Development is Continuous - ANSWER In children who develop typically, behaviors
and skills they have already acquired become the basis for new behaviors and skills.
There is continuity from one phase of development to the next.
Children continue to add new behaviors and skills as they perfect their abilities to walk, to
write or draw, and to speak. For example, speech development proceeds from gurgles and
coos to chattering, then to words, then phrases, and finally, sentences. Sentences become
paragraphs and stories, both oral and written.
In order for children to write or draw, they must have developed the control of their hands
and fingers to hold a crayon and pencil. Holding a pencil develops into writing and drawing.
The continuation of development can easily be seen in children as they mature from age two
to age twelve.
4 - Development Proceeds at Different Rates - ANSWER Each child is different and the
rates at which individual children develop are different.
Although the sequences for development are usually the same for all children, the rates at
which individual children reach each stage will be different.
3
as a child's height, weight, head circumference, and body mass index. These size changes
can usually be easily measured.
Development - ANSWER typically refers to an increase in complexity, a change from rela-
tively simple to more complicated. Development usually involves a progression along a con-
tinuous pathway on which the child acquires more refined knowledge, behaviors, and skills.
The sequence is basically the same for all children, however, the rate varies.
Growth definition - ANSWER Growth is defined as specific body changes and increases in
the child's size, proceeding from the head downward and from the center of the body out-
ward.
During the first year of an infant's life, - ANSWER babies can grow ten inches in length
and triple their birth weight.
After the first year, - ANSWER a baby's growth in length slows to five inches a year for the
next two years and then continues from age two or three to puberty at a rate of two to
three inches each year.
Similarities in growth: - ANSWER Growth proceeds from the head downward and from
the center of the body outward.
Children gain control of the head and neck first, then the arms, and finally, the legs.
At birth, the brain, heart, and spinal cord are fully functioning to support the infant.
As children grow, the arm and leg muscles develop, followed by the finger and toe muscles.
1
,Differences in growth: - ANSWER Some children are taller, some shorter. Some children
are smaller, while others are larger.
These differences are completely typical. Typical growth is supported by good nutrition, ade-
quate sleep, and regular exercise.
Children do not grow at perfectly steady rates throughout childhood.
Children will experience weeks or months of slightly slower growth, followed by growth
spurts.
Differences in the amount of growth can be a source of self-consciousness for some children.
Because each child is different and special, it is important to help them understand this con-
cept in order to develop a sense of self-acceptance. - ANSWER It is important to help the
children in your care understand that differences in growth patterns are typical.
Development definition - ANSWER Development refers to an increase in complexity; a
change from relatively simple to more complicated.
Progress - ANSWER Development usually involves a progression along a continuous se-
quential pathway on which the child acquires more refined knowledge, behaviors, and skills.
Rate varies - ANSWER The developmental sequence is basically the same for all children;
however, the rate of development varies from child to child
Principles of Child Development - ANSWER There are five principles related to the pro-
gression of general development that children will typically experience.
1 - Developmental Sequence is Similar for All - ANSWER Children develop in relatively the
same ways.
There is a typical sequence of development that occurs as a child grows.
While the sequence is similar, and the behaviors or skills emerge in the same order, children
can take more or less time with each behavior or skill.
They can move forward, regress for a short time, then move forward again.
2
, Some children may skip a behavior or skill as they move forward.
2 - Development Proceeds from General to Specific - ANSWER Development progresses
from a beginning point moving in a forward direction.
Just as growth of an infant proceeds from the top down and from the center of the body to
the limbs, development of behaviors and skills moves from general to specific.
As children mature, their bodily changes occur in a sequential order and give children new
abilities.
As the brain and nervous system develop, a child's thinking (cognitive) skills and motor skills
improve.
In the Physical Development Domain, an infant's large muscles develop first and result in the
ability to wave the arms and kick the legs.
Development continues in the smaller muscles in the fingers and toes, and results in the
ability of the fingers to grasp objects and the toes to help with balance when standing and
walking.
3 - Development is Continuous - ANSWER In children who develop typically, behaviors
and skills they have already acquired become the basis for new behaviors and skills.
There is continuity from one phase of development to the next.
Children continue to add new behaviors and skills as they perfect their abilities to walk, to
write or draw, and to speak. For example, speech development proceeds from gurgles and
coos to chattering, then to words, then phrases, and finally, sentences. Sentences become
paragraphs and stories, both oral and written.
In order for children to write or draw, they must have developed the control of their hands
and fingers to hold a crayon and pencil. Holding a pencil develops into writing and drawing.
The continuation of development can easily be seen in children as they mature from age two
to age twelve.
4 - Development Proceeds at Different Rates - ANSWER Each child is different and the
rates at which individual children develop are different.
Although the sequences for development are usually the same for all children, the rates at
which individual children reach each stage will be different.
3
