Development
Growth is the increase in size of the entire body or the increase in size achieved by different parts of the body by multiplication of cells during the period from fertilization to physical maturity. It is a fundamental quality of all living organisms. Physical size is measured in terms of centimeters and kilograms or metabolic balance which is the retention of hydrogen and calcium in the body.
stages of development
The stages or stages of development have been classified differently by different researchers.
1. Prenatal Period: The prenatal period covers, on average, about 9 months or 40 weeks. A fertilized egg of a multicellular animal transforms into an embryo by cell division, growth and differentiation. This formation in the fetus is called prenatal growth. In the prenatal period (before birth) the embryo is formed with the rudiments of all organs and systems.
There are three distinct stages of prenatal development:
- Fertilized ovum (egg) (first 2 weeks)
- fetus (2 to 8 weeks) and
- Embryo (from 2 to 10 lunar months)
- Postpartum period: Postnatal development is usually divided into the following age periods.
(a) Infancy: Infancy includes the first year of life. This is a period of rapid growth in most body systems and dimensions and rapid development of the neuromuscular system. Growth is mostly due to the addition of more cells or increase in cytoplasm. The rate of growth increases after birth and increases in size, shape and weight. In terms of weight, the peak is reached two months after birth. The cells become larger in size. As the child begins to straighten his head, try to sit and stand, cervical and lumbar curvatures of the spine become visible.
(b) Childhood: Childhood lasts from the end of infancy (first birthday) to the beginning of adolescence. This period is often divided into early childhood, middle childhood, and late childhood. Early childhood is the period of emergence of milk teeth. Middle childhood (7 to 10 years) is the period when permanent teeth emerge, although not all teeth emerge. Late childhood begins before puberty and continues until the time of puberty. Childhood is a period of relatively steady progress in growth and maturation and rapid progress in neuromuscular development.
(c) adolescence: Adolescence comes after childhood. Hormonal influences play a leading role in achieving sexual maturity during this period. A significant acceleration in adolescent development has been observed during this period. The teenage boom is a constant phenomenon and occurs in all children, although its intensity and duration vary from child to child. In boys, this occurs on average at the age of 12 to 15 years. In girls, growth begins about two years earlier than in boys. The difference in primary and secondary sexual characteristics marks the period of adolescence. Changes occur in the reproductive organs, in the size and shape of the body, in the relative proportions of muscles, fat and bones, and in various bodily functions.
(d) Maturity or adulthood: Under the direction of pituitary hormones, endocrine glands prepare the body for adulthood. An important characteristic of maturity is reproductive maturity. During adolescence, reproductive maturity begins but is not completed. The active reproductive period in humans extends until the age of 40 or 45. Stopping growth in height is also considered a sign of maturity.
Development
The term development refers to some changes that occur in a human being between birth and death. The term does not apply to all changes, but rather to those that persist over a long period of time. For example, a temporary change caused by a brief illness is not considered part of development. Some developmental psychologists prefer to limit the notion of development only to those changes that bring about qualitative changes in the structure of behavior, skills or abilities.
Integration refers to the idea that development involves integrating more basic, previously acquired behaviors into new, higher-level structures. For example, according to Piaget, a child who learns to successfully reach for objects learns to coordinate a variety of skills such as maintaining an upright posture, moving the hand, visually coordinating the position of the hand and the object, and reaching for the object. The integrated structure holding the bottom of an object is called a plan. New developments build on and incorporate what has gone before.
Human development can be divided into several different areas:
- physical domain: The physical domain involves the development of body structure, including muscles, bones, and organ systems. These include:
- (a) Gross motor development using large muscles, for example legs and arms.
- (b) Fine motor development or precise use of muscles, for example, hands and fingers.
- (c) Sensory development which is the development of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch.
The physical domain also includes:
(A) Cephalo-caudal development Which means that a child’s development starts from head to toe. According to this principle, the child first gains control over the head, then hands, then legs. Infants gain control of head and facial movements within the first two months after birth.
(b) proximo-distal Starts in the center (like our chest) and then moves towards the periphery. Accordingly, the spinal cord develops before other parts of the body. Baby’s arms develop before hands, and hands and feet develop before fingers and toes. Fingers and toes develop last.
- cognitive domain: Thinking, referred to as intellectual or mental development, includes perception, memory, reasoning, concept development, problem-solving, and abstract thinking. Language is one of the most important and complex cognitive activities. Understanding and producing language is a complex cognitive activity. However, speaking is a motor activity. Language and speech are controlled by different parts of the brain. Jean Piaget had a significant influence in this field due to his ‘theory of cognitive development’.
- Moral Area: Moral The domain includes the development of character, right attitudes and behavior towards other people in the society based on social and cultural norms, rules and laws. Understanding the difference between right and wrong is the essence of moral development. Piaget believed in two basic principles related to moral education:
- Children develop moral ideas in stages
- Children form their own concepts about the world.
- social and emotional sphere: Social development involves the child’s interactions with other people and the child’s participation in social groups. This includes
- relationships with adults and peers,
- social roles,
- Adoption of group values ​​and norms,
- adopting a moral system, and
- productive role in society
Factors affecting growth and development
Here we are explaining the factors affecting growth and development
- Hereditary Factors: Human beings have a common genetic makeup that determines the direction of their development. This means that there are basic similarities and differences between humans and other species in the structure and functions of their bodies.
- environmental factors: While children are born with different abilities, each child’s ability to develop healthily is dependent on the nurturing and supportive environment provided to that child. Multiple environments can positively influence the potential for healthy development.
- Hereditary traits such as eye color, hair color, body type, height, and skin color are determined by genetics.
- Infants in all cultures are biologically ready to walk between the ages of 9 and 15 months.
- If the baby is given the freedom to explore and move around on the ground, it is likely that he will start walking around the age of one year.
- Social and cultural environment: It includes the norms, belief systems, values ​​and standards of behavior that positively regulate the life of the child. These codes of conduct regulate more or less all aspects of social life, including parenting, family, life, interactions with outsiders, and official figures and expectations regarding children’s development and conduct.
- emotional environment: The emotional environment includes the child’s interpersonal relationships and the extent of nurturing provided to them. Human relationships are the cornerstone of healthy development. Children grow up and thrive in close and trusting relationships that provide love and nurturing, appropriate discipline for development, security, and encouragement for exploration. The emotional environment shapes personality and influences self-esteem, confidence, social responsibility, and resilience.
Difference between growth and development
Let us learn more about growth and development along with their differences.
| Development | Development |
|---|---|
| 1) Development is a physical change | Development is the overall development of an organism |
| 2) Development is the change in physical aspects of an organism | Development is the overall change and progressive change in the organism. |
| 3) development is cellular | development is organizational |
| 4) Growth is the change in size, form, structure and shape of the body | Development is the structural change and functional progress of the body |
| 5) Growth stops at maturity | Development continues until the death of the organism |
| 6) Growth is a part of development | Development also includes development |
| 7) Development is the joint product of heredity and environment | Development is also a combined product of heredity and environment. |
| 8) Growth is quantitative in nature | development is qualitative in nature |
| 9) Development can be measured accurately | Evolution is one’s subjective interpretation of change |
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