TABLE CONTENT

1,Introduction……………………………………………………………………..1

2,Child growth and development…………………………………………2

3,Factor affecting growth and development……………………………..3

4,Stages in child growth and development………………………………..4

5,Infact development………………………………………………………………4

6,Toddler development………………………………………………………….5

7, PRESCHOOLER DEVELOPMENT……………………………………………5

8, MIDDLE CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT……………………………………6

9,Adolecent development…………………………………………………………..7

10,Summary………………………………………………………………………………..8

11,Reference……………………………………………………………………………………9
 Introduction
Child development can be defined as the process by which a child changes over time. It covers
the whole period from conception to an individual becoming a fully functioning adult. It’s a
journey from total dependence to full independence.

Child development incorporates, physical growth as well as intellectual, language, emotional

and social development. Whilst these aspects are often considered separately, in reality each
influences all of the others. For example, as the brain develops physically, so intellectual
abilities increase. This in turn allows a child to explore their social world more fully, develop
their emotional responses to it and the language needed to describe it, but in turn, this
exploration directly impacts on further physical brain development.

A number of factors affect the course and progression of child development within a given
individual. These include the innate or the biological makeup of the child themself and external
influences such as family, society, economics, health and culture. Thus, growth and
development are directly related to the child’s nutrition, affluence, parenting styles, education
and interaction with peers.
 Child Growth and Development
Growth and development occur across the life stages and focuses on the physical, intellectual,
emotional and social changes that humans go through.

Growth predominately concentrates on the physical changes that take place across different
parts of the body. Growth is measured using a range of intervals such as height and weight.
Centile charts are used to measure changes in growth. Different centile charts are used to
measure the height and weight of boys and girls because of the difference in growth patterns,
for example, boys tend to be heavier and taller.

Development refers to the orders of sequence that humans follow and mainly focuses on the
attainment of skills and abilities. The main developmental milestones are physical, social,
intellectual and emotional.

Child development involves the biological, psychological and emotional changes that occur in
human beings between birth and the conclusion of adolescence. Childhood is divided into 3
stages of life which include early childhood, middle childhood, and late childhood
(preadolescence). Early childhood typically ranges from infancy to the age of 6 years old. During
this period, development is significant, as many of life's milestones happen during this time
period such as first words, learning to crawl, and learning to walk. There is speculation that
middle childhood (preadolescence) or ages 6–12 are the most crucial years of a child's life. In
the course of development, the individual human progresses from dependency to increasing
autonomy. It is a continuous process with a predictable sequence, yet has a unique course for
every child. It does not progress at the same rate and each stage is affected by the preceding
developmental experiences. Because genetic factors and events during prenatal life may
strongly influence developmental changes, genetics and prenatal development usually form a
part of the study of child development.

Growth and development includes not only the physical changes that occur from infancy to
adolescence, but also some of the changes in emotions, personality, behavior, thinking and
speech that children develop as they begin to understand and interact with the world around
them. Skills such as taking a first step or smiling for the first time are called developmental
milestones.Developmental change may occur as a result of genetically controlled processes
known as maturation or as a result of environmental factors and learning, but most commonly
involves an interaction between the two. It may also occur as a result of human nature and of
human ability to learn from the environment.
There are various definitions of periods in a child's development, since each period is a
continuum with individual differences regarding starting and ending. Some age-related
development periods and examples of defined intervals include: newborn (ages 0–4 weeks);
infant (ages 1 month–1 year); toddler (ages 1–2 years); preschooler (ages 2–6 years); school-
aged child (ages 6–12 years); adolescent (ages 12–18 years).

Within each stage of development, children will improve and develop their skills within four
core areas. Each of these developmental areas is interlinked, with children unable to progress in
just one area without progressing in all areas. The four core areas and the skills that they are
comprised of include:

 Speech and Communication. Communication is integral, and as children develop, they

will learn the importance of their speech and communication skills. This includes
learning their primary language, using language to categorise the world around them,
turn-taking in conversations and understanding conversational cues. Learning language
and linguistic development can be incredibly complicated. It will take time for children
to separate one word from another, and to learn the power of their words.
 Physical Ability. From the moment a child is born, they will begin to develop their gross
motor skills. Gross motor development is the ability to use and ultimately control the
movement of their large muscles, such as their arms, legs and neck. Gross motor skills
tend to develop first, and children will then develop their fine motor skills: these are the
muscles that are used to make precise and deliberate movements in the hands and
fingers.
 Social and Emotional Development. Social and emotional skills don’t trouble children
during the newborn and infancy stage, developing and evolving as they grow. These
skills are integral in helping children to develop their emerging identities and ensuring
they have a strong self-image. A core element of social and emotional development is
learning to interact with others, building relationships with both peers and adults, and
following and understanding social rules.
 Cognitive Development. The final developmental area is cognitive development, and this
focuses on developing the higher-level functions of the brain. Core skills such as
remembering, thinking and problem-solving will fall into this category. In this category,
children will develop their memory skills, helping them to improve their levels of
concentration, and ensure that their thinking skills and capabilities increase as they
grow older.

Factors Affecting Growth and Development

The growth and development are positively influenced by factors, like parental health and
genetic composition, even before conception.
1. Genetic factors play a primary role in growth and development. The genetic factors
influencing height is substantial in the adolescence phase.Additive genetic factors
predominantly explained the phenotypic correlations across the ages for height and
body mass index.
2. Fetal health has a highly influential role in achieving growth and development. Any
stimulus or insult during fetal development causes developmental adaptations that
produce permanent changes in the latter part of life.
3. After birth, the environmental factors may exert either a beneficial or detrimental effect
on growth.
o Socioeconomic factors: Children of higher socio-economical classes are taller
than the children of the same age and sex in the lower socioeconomic groups.
Urbanization has positively influenced growth. The secular trend is observed in
growth where the kids grow taller and mature more rapidly than the previous
generation. This secular trend is observed significantly in developed countries
like North America.
o The family characteristics: Higher family education levels have a positive impact
on growth. The inadequate emotional support and inadequate developmental
stimulus, including language training, might cause growth and development
deterioration. 
o The human-made environment influences human growth and development
significantly. Certain ongoing studies have proven the relationship of
pollutants in sexual maturation, obesity, and thyroid function. The excess lead
exposure antenatal significantly associates with low birth weight. Noise pollution
due to transportation sources also has an association with reduced prenatal
growth. 
o Nutrition
1. Malnutrition plays a detrimental role in the process of growth and
development. 
2. Deficiencies of trace minerals can affect growth and development. Iron
deficiency usually affects psychomotor development and does not affect
growth. Zinc deficiency might cause growth retardation and
developmental delay. Selenium, iodine, manganese, and copper also play
a significant role. 
3. Growth faltering or rapid weight gain in early childhood influences health
in the later part of life. The diet in early childhood has a strong
association with the likelihood of obesity later in life. 'Early Protein
Hypothesis' shows that lowering the protein supply during infancy helps
achieve normal growth and reduce obesity in early childhood. This
concept of the early protein hypothesis helps in improving the food
products for children. 
4. Genetic and environmental factors influence the growth and development in a
perplexing interrelated pathway. Genetic and environmental risk factors are not
mutually exclusive. Plasticity is the potential of a specific genotype to bring out
diversified phenotypes in response to diverse environmental factors. The developmental
 plasticity can happen from the embryonic stage to adolescence and can be passed onto
the next generation. 
5. Role of experience during early childhood: Exposure to adverse experiences in early
childhood might hinder development. Profound neglect during early childhood can
impair development. Children adopted before six months of age have similar
development when compared to their non-adoptive siblings. If children adopted after
six months have a high risk of cognition deficits, behavioral issues, autism, and
hyperactivity.

Stages in Child Growth and Development

1. Fetal stage: Fetal health issues can have detrimental effects on postnatal growth. One-
third of neonates with intrauterine growth retardation might have curtailed postnatal
growth. Good prenatal care is an essential factor in promoting fetal health and indirectly
postnatal growth.
2. Postnatal stage: The process of postnatal growth and development happens together
but at different rates. The growth occurs by discontinuous salutatory spurts with a
stagnant background. There are five significant phases in human growth and
development,
1. Infancy (neonate and up to one year age)
2. Toddler ( one to five years of age)
3. Childhood (three to eleven years old) - early childhood is from three to eight
years old, and middle childhood is from nine to eleven years old. 
4. Adolescence or teenage (from 12 to 18 years old)
5. Adulthood

INFANT DEVELOPMENT (Newborn – One Year)

Infancy is the earliest stage of life, spanning from birth to about two years old. During this time,
infants rapidly develop their abilities to think, feel, and move. They learn how to interact with
the people and things around them, and start to build a foundation for their future growth and
development.

During this stage children grow from babies to toddlers. The most important development that
happens for babies is that they make their earliest connections with others. In addition:
*they learn the first aspects of language
* they learn to crawl and possibly walk
* they become familiar with their environment

Certain Common Characteristics are- 

 They have a distinctive appearance with a large head and arms and legs relatively short.
 The infants have narrower shoulders and hips. 
  They have a slightly protruding abdomen. 
 Downy, unpigmented hair called lanugo is found in many newborns on many areas of
their body except feet and palm. But within a few weeks after birth, this usually
disappears. 
 They may have a head full of hair to almost no hair. 
 The navel is formed after a few weeks when the stub of the umbilical cord that still
remains dries and falls off.

The Major Milestones in the Development of the Infant

The major milestones in the development of the infant are as follows:

 Birth
 First smile
 First words
 First steps

Young Infants: Birth – 6 months

 Sleeps and shows alertness during waking.

 Cry to get needs met.
 Startles easily.
 Are learning about their bodies.
 Can move hands, feet, legs, arms, head.
 Likes to be held.
 Begin to self-soothe by sucking on fingers or hands.
 Kick at mobiles.
 Smiles when smiled at.
 Begin to show emotions.
 Turns head to see something.
 Begins to hold head up.

Older Infants: 6 to 12 months

 Begins to move independently, crawls or scoots.

 Eats solid foods.
 Holds own bottle.
 Shows stranger anxiety.
 Lifts arms up to be picked up.
 Explores interesting toys and may have favorite toys or objects.
 Babbles and tries to imitate adult language.
 May say simple words, such as "mama," and understand a limited vocabulary of basics,
such as "no".
 TODDLER DEVELOPMENT (1 – 3 years old)
Toddlers between the ages of two and three years are beginning to talk in sentences and
sometimes say things in a big and definite voice. We can be tricked into thinking our toddlers
are more grown up than they really are. The most important thing to remember is that your
two or three year old is still a baby. Not only do children begin to take their first physical steps
at this stage,they also take their initial steps toward becoming an independent person.
*They want to explore their world and try new things
*They may seem adventurous and “into everything,”however, they may also experience times
when they are clingy and shy

* Their language skills develop quickly. Reading to children is always important; particularly
when they are developing language.
*They move towards eating more independently, helping with getting dressed, picking up their
toys, and getting along with others.

PRESCHOOLER DEVELOPMENT (3 – 5 year olds)

The preschool years are a time that seems to be in constant movement. Preschoolers are busy
moving in their environments, both indoors and outdoors. They spend large amounts of time
running, climbing, jumping, and chasing each other; they scribble, paint, build, pour, cut with
scissors, put puzzles together, and string beads. Their motor skills are significantly refined from
the time they were toddlers, and they are much more coordinated and purposeful in their actions.
They also demonstrate improved speed and strength, and become increasingly more independent.

During the preschool years, there is a steady increase in children’s height, weight, and muscle
tone. Compared with toddlers, preschoolers are taller and leaner. Their legs and trunks continue
to grow, and their heads are not as large in proportion to their bodies. As preschoolers’ bodies
develop over time, the areas in their brains that control movement continue to mature, enabling
them to master gross and fine motor skills.

As children grow into early childhood they continue to change

physically ,emotionally ,intellectually, and socially.
* Physically, children become increasingly able to run ,jump, skip, climb, and slide. Fine motor
skills such as drawing, coloring, and using safety scissors are also developing. They are more
responsible for their physical care so during this stage they like to dress, eat, bathe,and go tthe
bathroom on their own.
* Emotionally, children at this age become more sure of themselves, and will stick up for
themselves. They can tolerate more frustration and they begin to develop rulesof their own.
*Socially, they begin to enjoy cooperative play (taking turns) and the company of other
children. They are concerned if other children feel sad or upset. They enjoy the company of
parents and care-givers and may want to mimic or be like them.
* Intellectually, children develop more competence in speech and will ask endless questions.
They are highly imaginative and they are beginning to know the difference between fact and
fiction.

MIDDLE CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (6 – 11 years)

A child’s developmental path in their middle childhood years (between 6 and 12 years of age)
contributes substantially to the adolescent, and adult they will become.

Middle childhood is a stage where children move into expanding roles and environments.
Children begin to spend more time away from their family and spend more time in school and
other activities. As they experience more of the world around them, children begin to develop
their own identity.

 Show more independence from parents and family.

 Start to think about the future.
 Understand more about his or her place in the world.
 Pay more attention to friendships and teamwork.
 Want to be liked and accepted by friends.

Children in this age group are entering the ‘age of reason’ because they begin to:

 be more flexible in their thinking,

 develop self-awareness, and
 identify and understand others’ feelings or emotions. 

During middle childhood, children work towards four important milestones, including:

(i) adjusting to school;

(ii) achieving new academic skills such as learning to read
(iii) learning to get along with peers; and
(iv) learning the rules of our culture or society.  

ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT (12 – 18 years)

During adolescence, young people experience physical changes, develop a unique personal
identity, become more independent, and are focused on peer relationships.
* Moving towards a unique identity. Individuals develop an increasingly unique sense of “self”
during this period. They often believe that their thoughts and ideas are distinctive and not
 understood by others. Interests, skills, academic performance, self confidence, aptitudes, and
personal likes and dislikes, all serve to create an increasingly unique identity.

Moving towards independence. Adolescence is characterized by a movement away from the

family towards a more independent life. In early adolescence, some young people face the
realization that their parents are not perfect and they may respond with rudeness and
challenges to parental authority. Towards the end of adolescence these characteristics begin to
change. The young person is able to see various points of view, can compromise, and can
examine personal experiences.

Moving towards physical maturity. Puberty occurs in early adolescence. This is a significant
developmental milestone as it marks sexual maturity and the ability to
have children. In early adolescence there is often intense concern with body image and young
people may make frequent comparisons with peers, but this decreases in the later stages of
adolescence.

Moving towards meaningful relationships, employment, and disengagement from family. In

early adolescence, friendships often take the form of group peer relationships such as cliques,
clubs, or teams.In later adolescence individuals begin to think more about
the future; they contemplate romantic relationships, work options, and moving away from
home.
 SUMMARY
Development does not just involve the biological and physical aspects of growth, but also the
cognitive and social aspects associated with development throughout life. By better
understanding how and why people change and grow, we can then apply this knowledge to
helping people live up to their full potential.

Infancy: Development progress in cephalo-caudal direction and also from the midline to the
lateral direction.  A three to four-month variation can be there in achieving the developmental
milestone. Social development is a cortical function that develops earlier than motor skills. Lack
of social smile by four weeks is of concern. At birth, the infant is equipped with primitive
reflexes. Certain primitive reflexes help in the normal physiology of infants. Sucking and rooting
reflex helps in

efficient feeding. Most of the primitive reflex disappears to facilitate the mature development
process. For example, the grasp reflex disappears by six months, and the child develops mature
grasp development from 6-12 months.

Early and late childhood: Between ages 1 and 3 years, locomotion and language are crucial. The
best predictor of cognitive function is language. Fine motor skills are related to self-help skills.
The most common development in early childhood is to establish self-identity. A child may have
independent existence by three years of age. The kids learn independent existence skills like
feeding behavior, toilet training, and self dressing during this stage of early and late childhood.
Questioning skills develop during early childhood development.   

Adolescence: Adolescence is hallmarked by puberty changes, which occur two years earlier in

females than in males. Puberty changes are assessed using the Tanner staging. Acceptance of a
new body and separation from home, and establishing oneself as an independent adult in
society are the significant challenges in puberty.
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