GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Shailini G. Gestosani, M.Ed.

College of Teacher Education
St. Paul University Iloilo
Human Development

The pattern of
movement or
change that
begins at
conception and
continues through
the life span
Development
includes growth
and decline
Major Principles of Human
Development
1. Development is relatively orderly
2. While the pattern of development is likely to
be similar, the outcomes of developmental
processes and the rate of development is
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 socioemotional processes
Development is relatively orderly

Proximodistal pattern center to side

Example: sit, crawl then walk before children
can run; muscle control of the trunk and arms
comes earlier as compared to the hands and
fingers
Cephalocaudal pattern top to bottom
Example: the head grows more in size, weight
at first then gradually working its way down
to the neck, shoulders, middle trunk, etc.
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Similar pattern of development,
varying rate of development

Stimulation in very important.

Caring and loving parents can help
develop warm and responsible
children, adolescents and adults
Heredity and environment affect the
growth and development of children.
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Development takes place gradually

Ittakes weeks, months or years for a

person to undergo changes that
result in the display of
developmental characteristics.
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Development is a complex process

Biological processes involve changes in the

individuals physical nature
Cognitive processes involve changes in the
individuals thought, intelligence and
language.
Socioemotional processes include in the
individuals relationships with other people,
changes in emotions, and changes in
personality.
All these processes are intertwined. They are
not isolated from each other.
Two Approaches to Human
Development
Traditional Approach extensive
change from birth to adolescence,
little or no change in adulthood and
decline in late old age
Life-span Approach adulthood
developmental change takes place
as it does during childhood
 Life Span Development
1. Development is lifelong
2. Development is
multidimensional.
3. Development is plastic
4. Development is contextual
5. Development involves growth,
maintenance and regulation
Development is lifelong

Itdoes not end in adulthood

No developmental stage dominates
development
Development is multidimensional

Development consists of biological,

cognitive and socio-emotional
dimensions.
Development is plastic

Itis possible throughout the life-span

of the person
Development is contextual

Individuals
are changing beings in a
changing world.
Development involves growth,
maintenance and regulation

3 goals of human development:

growth, maintenance and regulation
The goals vary among
developmental stages
Principles of Child Development and
Learning (basis of DAP)
DAP Developmentally Appropriate Practice

1. All domains of development and learning are important and are

closely interrelated.
2. Many aspects of childrens learning and development follow well
documented sequences, with later and knowledge building on those
already acquired
3. Development and learning proceed at varying rates from child to
child as well as at uneven rates across different areas of childs
individual functioning
4. Development and learning result from a dynamic and continuous
interaction of biological maturation and experience.
5. Early experiences have profound effects, both cumulative and
delayed, on a childs development and learning; and optimal periods
exist for certain types of development and learning to occur.
6. Development proceeds toward greater complexity, self-regulation,
and symbolic or representational capacities.
Principles of Child Development and
Learning (basis of DAP)
7. Children develop best when they have secure, consistent
relationships with responsive adults and opportunities for
positive relationship with peers.
8. Development and learning occur in and are influenced by
multiple social and cultural contexts.
9. Always mentally active in seeking to understand the world
around them, children learn in a variety of ways; a wide
range of teaching strategies and interactions are effective in
supporting all these kinds of learning.
10. Play is an important vehicle for developing self-regulation as
well as for promoting language, cognition and social
competence.
11. Development and learning advance when children are
challenged to achieve at a level just beyond their current
mastery, and also when they have many opportunities to
practice newly acquired skills
12. Childrens experiences shape their motivation and
approaches to learning, such as persistence, initiative and
Seatwork/Assignment:
1. Write the four principles of human development and
their educational implications.

Principle Educational
Implication
Seatwork/Assignment:
2. Compare the two approaches to human
Development
Concept Traditional Life-span
Approach Approach
Development
during
childhood

Development
during
adulthood

Developmental
stage/s as focus
of study