A. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Growth – refers to the increase in size and number; has a quantitative measure; involves the increase in size and number.

- Increase in physical size of a whole or any of its parts, or an increase in number and size of cells: Growth can be measured.

Development – refers to an improvement in circumstances; has a qualitative measure; encompasses overall changes, including growth and other progressive changes.

- Development is the relatively orderly adaptive changes that people go through from conception to death.

Child Development - Refers to how a child becomes able to do more complex things as he/ she becomes older; examines how human beings change from the time of conception, throughout infancy and childhood, and into adolescence.

Human Development - the pattern of movement or change that begins at conception and continues through the life span.

• includes growth and decline

• can be positive or negative

B.  DOMAINS OF DEVELOPMENT 

Biological (or physical) development- involves the growth and change in a person’s body and body functions. In this domain, we look at physiological and motor (movement) development, as well as the influence of health, illness, and nutrition.

Cognitive (or mental) development- refers to the growth and change of a person’s ability to process information, solve problems, and gain knowledge. In this developmental domain, we consider the study of brain development, memory learning, thinking, language, and creativity.

Socioemotional (or psychosocial) development- Involves the growth and change of our interactions with others, and our feelings. Included in this domain is the study of relationships, emotions, personality, and moral development.

SOME PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

PRINCIPLE 1 - Development is relatively orderly.

PRINCIPLE 2 - While the pattern of development is likely to be similar, the outcome of developmental process and the rate of development are likely to vary among individuals.

PRINCIPLE 3 - Development takes place gradually.

PRINCIPLE 4 - Development as a process complex because it is the product of biological, cognitive and socio- emotional process.

• Proximodistal development- occurs when the center or core of the body in an outward direction. The spine develops first in the uterus, followed by the extremities and finally, the fingers and toes. 

• Cephalocaudal development- refers to growth and development that occurs from the head down. An infant will gain control over their    neck muscles first, which allows them to hold their head steady.

• Proximodistal Pattern- Development proceeds from the center of the body outward

• Cephalocaudal Pattern - Development proceeds from the head downward.

FACTORS INFLUENCING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT  

    GENETICS/HEREDITY

• Gender

• Health

• Intelligence

     ENVIRONMENT

• Socio-economic status

• Parent-Child relationship

• Religion/Culture

• Early Sensory Stimulation

• Training and education

• Media / Technology

     TEMPERAMENT

• Activity levels

• Adaptability

• Distractibility

• Mood Quality

• Attention Span

      NUTRITION

• Material Nutrition

• Child Nutrition

APPROACHES TO HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

• TRADITIONAL - Human development shows extensive change from birth to adolescence, little or no change in adulthood and decline in the late old age. 

• LIFE-SPAN - Human development occurs all throughout the lifespan of an individual.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE-SPAN DEVELOPMENT

• LIFE-LONG - It does not end by adulthood and no development stage dominates the development.

• MULTI-DIMENSIONAL  - Development consists of biological, cognitive, and socio-emotional dimensions.

• PLASTIC - Development is possible throughout the life-span.

• CONTEXTUAL - Individuals are changing beings in a changing world.

• GROWTH, MAINTENANCE AND REGULATION -  These are considered goals in that varies in every developmental change.