About principles of human growth and development

1. Prepared By
Anil.T

2. Principles
A fundamental, primary or
general law or truth from which
others are derived.

3. Growth & Development ?
Growth :
Refers to an increase in some quantity
over time. The quantity can be ;
Physical (e.g., growth in height )
Development:
Development is systematic and orderly
change, organisms experience as they
live and either gain or lose abilities.

4. The general pattern of growth and
development
1) Physical structure or Physique -
It involves changes in terms of
height, weight, body proportions and general
physical appearance.
2)Internal organs –
It involves changes in the functions of
glands, nervous
system, circulatory, digestive, muscular, reproduct
ive and etc.

5. Principles of Growth and
development
1)Continuity
2)Sequentiality
3) Generality to Specificity
4)Differentiality
5)Development proceeds from the head downward
6) Development proceeds from the centre of the
body outward
7)Development depends on maturation and learning

6. Principles of Growth and
development
8)Development proceeds from the simple to
more complex
9)Growth is a personal matter
10)Growth comes from within
11)Growth has certain characteristics common
at particular stages
12)Growth is gradual and orderly but uneven

7. Continuity
 Growth and Development is a continues process from
conception to death.
 In the early years of life, development consists of
changes that lead the child to maturity not only of
body size and functioning, but also of behaviour.
 . Even after maturity has been attained, development
does not end. Changes continue which lead to the
period of life known as senescence or old age.
 These
 changes continue until death ends the life cycle.

8. Sequentiality
 Every species, whether animal or human, follows a
pattern of development peculiar to it. This pattern in
general is the same for all individuals.
 Social and behavioural scientists increasingly have
come to see development as a relationship between
organism and environment in a transaction or
collaboration.
 Individuals work with and affect their environment,
and in turn the environment works with and affects
them

9. Sequentiality
All children follow a development pattern
with one stage leading to the next.
Ex - Infants stand Before they walk; draw
circles before they make squares

10. Generality to Specificity
 Development proceeds from general to specific. In all
areas of development, general activities always
precedes specific activity.
 For example;
- The fetus moves its whole body but incapable of
making specific responses
-Infants wave their arms randomly. They can make
such specific responses as reaching out for an object
near them.

11. Differentiality
 The tempo of development is not even. Individuals
differ in the rate of growth and development.
 Boys and girls have different development rates.
Each part of the body has its own particular rate of
growth. Development does not occur at an even
pace.
 There are periods of great intensity and
equilibrium and there are periods of imbalance.
 Development achieves a plateau and this may
occur at any level or between levels.

12. Development proceeds from the
Head downward
 This principle describes the direction of growth and
development.
 The head region starts growth at first, following by
which other organs starts developing.
 The child gains control of the head first, then the arms
and then the legs.
 Infants develop control of the head and face
movements at first two months. In next few months
they are able to lift themselves up by using their arms.
Next gain control over leg and able to crawl, stand,
walk, run, jump, climb, day by day.

13. Development proceeds from
the centre of the body outward
 The directional sequence of development during both
prenatal and postnatal stages may either be (i) from
head to foot, or (ii) from the central axis to the
extremities of the body.
 The spinal cord develops before outer parts of the
body.
 The child’s arms develops before the hands, the hands
and feet develops before the fingers and toes.
 Fingers and toe muscles are the last to develop in
physical development.

14. The directional sequence of development stages
may either be (A) from head to foot, or (B) from
the central axis to the extremities of the body.

15. Development depends on
maturation and learning
 Maturation refers to the sequential characteristic
of biological growth and development.
 The biological changes occur in sequential order
and give children new abilities.
 Changes in the brain and nervous system account
largely for maturation. And help children to
improve in thinking and motor skills.
 Children must mature to a, certain point before
they can progress to new skills.

16. Development proceeds from the
simple to more complex
 Children use their cognitive and language skills to
reason and solve problems.
 Children at first are able hold the big things by using
both arms, In the next part able to hold things in a
single hand, then only able to pick small objects like
peas, cereals etc.
 Children when able to hold pencil, first starts draw
circles then squares then only letters after that the
words.

17. Growth is a personal
matter
 Each child grows in his own personal
manner. He/she should be permitted to
grow at his/her own rate.
 If we expects too much, he/she may
does even less than he/she is able to do.

18. Growth comes from within
 One or surrounding environment can
encourage or can hinder the energy of a
child, but the drive force that pushes a child
to grow is carried inside him.
 Parent or teacher job is to clear the track,
guide the child with loving acceptance and
then relax and enjoy.

19. 11)Growth has certain characteristics
common at particular stages
12)Growth is gradual and orderly but
uneven

23. Growth chart

33. Thank You