Growth and Development Questions &
Answers
Developmental task - ANSWERSA set of skills and competencies peculiar to each
developmental stage that children must accomplish or master to deal effectively with
their environment.
Cephalocaudal development - ANSWERSDevelopment growth pattern that goes from
head-to-toe. The head end of the baby develops first and is large and complex; the
lower end is small and simple and takes shape at a later period.
Proximodistal development - ANSWERSGrowth trend where the baby grows near-to-
far, applies to the midline-to-peripheral concept. Trends are bilateral and symmetric.
The baby will learn how to use the arm before the hand and the hand before the fingers
Differentiation trend - ANSWERSDescribes development from simple operations to
more complex activities and functions. All areas of development proceed in this
direction.
Sequential trends - ANSWERSThere is a predictable order in which development will
occur in children, with each child normally passing through every stage. Children crawl
before they creep, creep before they stand, and stand before they walk.
Developmental pace - ANSWERSAlthough development is fixed, precise order, it does
not progress at the same rate or pace. There are periods of accelerated growth and
periods of decelerated growth in both total body growth and growth of subsystems.
Sensitive periods - ANSWERSPeriods termed critical, sensitive, vulnerable, and optimal
are the times in the lifetime of an organism when it is more susceptible to positive or
negative influences. Ex: primary socialization occurs during the first year when the
infant makes the initial social attachments and establishes trust in the world.
Individual differences - ANSWERSEach child grows in his or her own unique and
personal way. Gender is an influential factor. The sequence is predictable, the exact
timing is not. Great individual variation exists in the age at which developmental
milestones are reached.
, Psychosexual development by Freud - ANSWERSThe theory that all human behavior is
energized by psychodynamic forces, and this psychic energy is divided among three
components of personality: id, ego, and superego.
Oral stage (birth to 1 year) - ANSWERSDuring infancy the major source of pleasure
seeking is centered on oral activities such as sucking, biting, chewing, and vocalizing.
Anal stage (1 to 3 years) - ANSWERSInterest during the second year of life centers in
the anal region as sphincter muscles develop and children are able to withhold or expel
fecal material at will. At this stage the climate surrounding toilet training can have lasting
effects on children's personalities.
Phallic stage (3 to 6 years) - ANSWERSDuring this stage, the genitalia become an
interesting and sensitive area of the body. Children recognize differences between the
sexes and become curious about the dissimilarities.
Latency period (6 to 12 years) - ANSWERSDuring this period children elaborate on
previously acquired traits and skills. Physical and psychic energy is channeled into
acquisition of knowledge and vigorous play.
Genital stage (age 12 years and older) - ANSWERSThe last significant stage begins at
puberty with maturation of the reproductive system and production of sex hormones.
The genital organs become the major source of sexual tensions and pleasures, but
energies are also invested in forming friendships and preparing for marriage.
Psychosocial development by Erikson - ANSWERSThis theory states that healthy
development occurs when needs are met at each stage. Eight periods of psychosocial
development. Two possible outcomes healthy: move onto next stage; unhealthy:
problem with future relationships.
Trust vs. mistrust (birth to 1 year) - ANSWERSThe first and most important attribute to
develop for a healthy personality is basic trust. Establishing basic trust dominates the
first year of life and describes all of the child satisfying experiences at this age. Miss
trust develops when trust promoting experiences are deficient or lacking or basic needs
are inconsistently or in adequately met. Although shreds of mistrust are sprinkled
throughout the personality, a basic trust in parents stems trust in the world, other
people, and oneself.
Autonomy vs. shame and self doubt (1 to 3 years) - ANSWERSThe development of
autonomy during the toddler period is centered on children's increasing ability to control
their bodies, themselves, and their environment. They want to do things for themselves
using their newly acquired motor skills. Negative feelings of doubt and shame arise
when children are made to feel small and self-conscious, when their choices are
disastrous, when other shame them, or when they are forced to be dependent in areas
which they are capable of assuming control.
Answers
Developmental task - ANSWERSA set of skills and competencies peculiar to each
developmental stage that children must accomplish or master to deal effectively with
their environment.
Cephalocaudal development - ANSWERSDevelopment growth pattern that goes from
head-to-toe. The head end of the baby develops first and is large and complex; the
lower end is small and simple and takes shape at a later period.
Proximodistal development - ANSWERSGrowth trend where the baby grows near-to-
far, applies to the midline-to-peripheral concept. Trends are bilateral and symmetric.
The baby will learn how to use the arm before the hand and the hand before the fingers
Differentiation trend - ANSWERSDescribes development from simple operations to
more complex activities and functions. All areas of development proceed in this
direction.
Sequential trends - ANSWERSThere is a predictable order in which development will
occur in children, with each child normally passing through every stage. Children crawl
before they creep, creep before they stand, and stand before they walk.
Developmental pace - ANSWERSAlthough development is fixed, precise order, it does
not progress at the same rate or pace. There are periods of accelerated growth and
periods of decelerated growth in both total body growth and growth of subsystems.
Sensitive periods - ANSWERSPeriods termed critical, sensitive, vulnerable, and optimal
are the times in the lifetime of an organism when it is more susceptible to positive or
negative influences. Ex: primary socialization occurs during the first year when the
infant makes the initial social attachments and establishes trust in the world.
Individual differences - ANSWERSEach child grows in his or her own unique and
personal way. Gender is an influential factor. The sequence is predictable, the exact
timing is not. Great individual variation exists in the age at which developmental
milestones are reached.
, Psychosexual development by Freud - ANSWERSThe theory that all human behavior is
energized by psychodynamic forces, and this psychic energy is divided among three
components of personality: id, ego, and superego.
Oral stage (birth to 1 year) - ANSWERSDuring infancy the major source of pleasure
seeking is centered on oral activities such as sucking, biting, chewing, and vocalizing.
Anal stage (1 to 3 years) - ANSWERSInterest during the second year of life centers in
the anal region as sphincter muscles develop and children are able to withhold or expel
fecal material at will. At this stage the climate surrounding toilet training can have lasting
effects on children's personalities.
Phallic stage (3 to 6 years) - ANSWERSDuring this stage, the genitalia become an
interesting and sensitive area of the body. Children recognize differences between the
sexes and become curious about the dissimilarities.
Latency period (6 to 12 years) - ANSWERSDuring this period children elaborate on
previously acquired traits and skills. Physical and psychic energy is channeled into
acquisition of knowledge and vigorous play.
Genital stage (age 12 years and older) - ANSWERSThe last significant stage begins at
puberty with maturation of the reproductive system and production of sex hormones.
The genital organs become the major source of sexual tensions and pleasures, but
energies are also invested in forming friendships and preparing for marriage.
Psychosocial development by Erikson - ANSWERSThis theory states that healthy
development occurs when needs are met at each stage. Eight periods of psychosocial
development. Two possible outcomes healthy: move onto next stage; unhealthy:
problem with future relationships.
Trust vs. mistrust (birth to 1 year) - ANSWERSThe first and most important attribute to
develop for a healthy personality is basic trust. Establishing basic trust dominates the
first year of life and describes all of the child satisfying experiences at this age. Miss
trust develops when trust promoting experiences are deficient or lacking or basic needs
are inconsistently or in adequately met. Although shreds of mistrust are sprinkled
throughout the personality, a basic trust in parents stems trust in the world, other
people, and oneself.
Autonomy vs. shame and self doubt (1 to 3 years) - ANSWERSThe development of
autonomy during the toddler period is centered on children's increasing ability to control
their bodies, themselves, and their environment. They want to do things for themselves
using their newly acquired motor skills. Negative feelings of doubt and shame arise
when children are made to feel small and self-conscious, when their choices are
disastrous, when other shame them, or when they are forced to be dependent in areas
which they are capable of assuming control.
