Meaning, Concepts and

Approaches
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
Major Principles of
Human Development
1. Development is relatively orderly.

 Proximodistal Pattern

 Cephalocaudal Pattern
Development proceeds
from the center of the
body outward.
Development proceeds
from the head
downward.
2. While the pattern of
development is likely to be
similar, the outcomes of
developmental processes and
rate of development are likely to
vary among individuals.
3. Development takes place
gradually.
4. Development as a process is
complex because it is the product
of biological, cognitive and socio-
emotional processes.
 Approaches to
Human Development

• Traditional Perspective
• Life-span Approach
Traditional Perspective

• Believes that individuals will show

extensive change from birth to
adolescence, little or no change in
adulthood and decline in late old age
Life-span Approach

• Believes that even in

adulthood, developmental change takes
place as it does during childhood.
Development is LIFELONG.

It does not end in adulthood.

No developmental stage dominates
development.
Development is
MULTIDIMENSIONAL.

Development consists of biological,

cognitive and socio-emotional
dimensions.
Development is PLASTIC.

Development is possible throughout

the lifespan.
Development is CONTEXTUAL.

Individuals are changing beings in a

changing world.
Development involves
GROWTH, MAINTENANCE and
REGULATION.

Growth, maintenance and regulation

are 3 goals of human development. The
goals of individuals vary among
developmental stages.
Principles of Child
Development and Learning
that Inform Practice
All areas of development and
learning are important.

Learning and development follow

sequences.
Development and learning
proceed at varying rates.

Development and learning

result from an interaction
of maturation and
experience.
Early experiences have profound
effects on development and
learning.

Development proceeds toward

greater complexity, self-
regulation, and symbolic or
representational capacities.
Children develop best when they
have secure relationships.

Development and learning occur in

and are influenced by multiple
social and cultural contexts.
Children learn in a variety of ways.
Play is an important vehicle for
developing self-regulation and
promoting language, cognition, and
social competence.
Development and learning advance
when children are challenged.
Children’s experiences shape their
motivation and approaches to
learning.
More on principles of
development…

Principles of Development.docx