Development

Meaning and definition:

Development means "a progressive series of changes that occur in an
orderly predictable pattern as a result of maturation and experience."
It refers to the scientific study of how people change and stay the same
overtime.
Change can take place in two forms. i.e.
1. Quantitative: It refers to change in form of quantity or size. For
example weight, height, age.
2. Qualitative: It means when change occurs in habits, kind, structure or
organization.
Span:
The development process occurs throughout life i.e. from birth to death.
Development of People at different ages from infancy to old age:
Human development has 7 stages from birth to death. In each stage, human
learns to live in the societ. The development of human beings depends upon
the culture, region, religion, cate and family in which they are born. The
develpment differs from society to society and from race to race.
Factors affecting development:
There are several factors involved in the development. Some factors which
affect development are as follows :
i. Environment: The development is dependent upon the environment in
which one is born. The human develops the way the society is.
ii. Sex: Development of men and women is different. Men develops other
way and women another.
iii. Geographical influences: Each country, state and region has its own
 type of norms. So, it's quite clear that the development will be
different with respect to the region.
iv. Family status. The status of family also plays an important role in the
development of its members because the influence of parents on
children is more than anyone else.
v. Religion: Every religion has its own beliefs, rituals and norms and the
followers of every religion follows their own religion's values and
hence develops their habbits and mind accordig to what their religion
provides them.

Stages of Human Development

1. Infancy:
During this stage the infant is uncertain about the world in which he live. To
resolve these feelings of uncertainty the infant looks toward their primary
caregiver for stability and consistency of care.
If the infant receive consistent, Reliable and predictable care, he will develop
a sense of trust which will carry with them to other relationships, and they
will be able to feel secure even when threatened.
2. Early Childhood:
The child is developing physically and becoming more mobile. Between the
ages of 18 months and three years, children begin to assert their
independence by walking away from their mother, picking which toy to play
with and making choices about what they like to wear, to eat etc.
The child is discovering that he or she has many skills and abilities such as
putting on clothes and soes, playing with toys etc. Such skills illustrate the
child's growing sense of independence and autonomy.
3. Middle childhood:
Around age of three years and continuing to age five, children assert
themselves more frequently. These are particularly lively, rapid-developing
years in a child's life.
During this period the primary feature involves the child regularly interacting
with other children at school. Central to this stage is playing, as it provides
children with the oppurtunity to explore their interpersonal skills through
initiating activities.
4. Late childhood:
From 5 to 12 yeras, Children are at the stage where they will be learning to
read and write, to do sums, to make things on their own. Teachers begin to
take an important role in the child's life as they teach the child specific skills.
It is at this stage that the child's peer group will gain greater significance and
will become a major source of a child's self esteem. The child now feels the
need to win approval by demonstrating specific competencies that are
valued by society, and begin to develop a sense of pride in their
accomplishments.
5. Adolescence:
During adolescence from age 12 to 18 years, the transition from childhood
to adulthood is most important. Children are becoming more independent
and begin to look at the future in terms of carre, relationships, families,
housing etc. The individual wants to belong to a society and fit in .
This is a major stage in development where the child has to learn the roles
he will occupy as an adult. It is during this stage that the adolescent will re-
examine his identity and try to find out who exactly he or she is. Erikson
suggests that two identities are involved: The sexual and occupational.
6. Adulthood:
Occuring in young adulthood, we begin to share ourselves more intimately
with others. We explore relationships leading toward longer term
xommitments with someone other than family member.
Successful completion of this stage can lead to comfortable relationships and
a sense of commitment, safety and care within a relationship. Avoiding
intimacy, fearing commitment and relationships can lead to isolation,
loneliness and sometimes depressions. Success in this stage will lead to the
virtue of love.
7. Senescence:
Senescence stage is also called the late adulthood stage. As we grow older
65 years and above and become senior citizens, we tend to slow down our
productivity and explore life as a retired person. It is during this time that we
contemplate our accomplishments are able to develop integrity if we see
ourselves as leading a successful life.
Erik Erikson believed if we see our lives as unproductive, feel guilt about our
past, or feel that we did not accomplish our life goals, we become
dissatisfied with life and develop despair, often leading to depression and
hopelessness. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of wisdom.
Wisdom enables a person to look back on their life with a sense of closure
and completeness, and also accept death without fear.
Conclusion:
To conclude, we can say that Allah created all human beings equal with
equal mind and distributed them among tribes so they could be recognized.
From birth till death, human passes through different stages of development
and is subjected to various difficulties throughout life, but one should try to
face thee diificulties and have faith in Allah. When he is infant, he is unaware
of his betterment, but once he achieves the adolescence stage, he should try
to stress on his own character and should try to do good to his family and
others as well.