Growth and Development:

Concept and
characteristics, Factors
affecting growth and
development.

By: S. Henna Zahra

Characteristics of growth &
development:
What is Growth?
 Itis indicative i.e. increase in body, size, weight
etc.
 It is quantitative progress
 It is physical change
 It is external in nature
 stops at certain stage
 It is physical progress
Cont…

What is Development?
 It is not indicative
 It qualitative progress
 It is psychological change
 It is internal in nature
 It is continuous process
 It is cognitive progress
Stages:

 Growth and development goes side by si

de
, and both have profound effects upon each
other. When a child is born, passes through
various stages and ultimately a whole picture
of a person emerges. The following are the 
stages of growth and development throu
gh which every children passes
:
1. Infancy: (From Birth to 2
Years)
 Common features of infancy are:
A child jumps, walk and learn to talk.
A child starts learning about simple,
social concepts.
 The body growth is accelerated.
. Early Childhood (2-6 Years)

The common features of this stage are:

 Infancy features are strengthened.
 Physical growth occurs like, expansion of muscles, speed in body
actions, changes occur in respiration, blood pressure develops etc.
 Language skill is developed and learns new words.
 New concepts about social relations develop.
 Memory increases.
 They ask questions about the environment.
 Socially he/she develops new friends, and wants social approval of
his/her actions.
 Emotional development starts to develop.
3. Adolescence (12-19 Years)

 This is the period of adulthood and to some extent of

maturity, physically and socially. This is called the
spring, romantic, and the period of “storm & stress”.
The development and growth vary from culture to
culture and environment factors that influence a
person at this stage. Some basic characteristics of this
stage are as follows:
 Physical growth
 Mental or intellectual development
 Emotional development
Factors Which Influence
Human Growth and
Development:
Heredity: Different characteristics of growth and development

like intelligence, aptitudes, body structure, height, weight, color
of hair and eyes are highly influenced by heredity.
 Gender: There is lot of difference in growth and development
between girls and boys. Physical growth of girls in teens is faster
than boys.
 Socioeconomic: It has been seen that the children from
different socioeconomic levels vary in average body size at all
ages. The upper level families being always more advanced. The
most important reasons behind this are better nutrition, better
facilities, regular meals, sleep, and exercise.
Cont…

 Nutritional: Growth is directly related with nutrition. There are

nine different amino acids which are necessary for growth and
absence of any one will give rise to stunted growth. Other factors
like zinc, Iodine, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins are also
essential for proper growth and deficiency of anyone can affect
the normal growth and development of the body.
 Hormones: There are a large number of endocrine glands
present inside our body. These hormones play an important role
in regulating the process of growth and development.
Cont…

 Pollution: According to studies, air pollution not only affects the

respiratory organs but also have harmful effects on human
growth. Lead is very harmful for children as it simply gets
immersed into the growing bodies of children and obstructs with
the normal development of brain and other organs and systems.
 Race: Racial factors also influence height, weight, color,
features, and body constitution of a human being. For example a
child of black race will be black, their height, their hair and eye
color, facial structure are all governed by the same race.
FEEDBACK???