Growth & Development : Its Principles

Bijoy Krishna PandaDepartment of Education, Jadavpur University

What is ‘Principle’ ? A fundamental, primary or general law or truth from

which others are derived.

What is ‘Growth’ ? Growth refers to an increase in some quantity over time. The quantity can be physical.

What is ‘Development’ ?

Development is systematic and orderly change, organisms experience as they live and either gain or loose abilities.

Change is the inevitable law or phenomena of human being

Are Growth & Development two similar process? Growth is quantitative change, but development is both

qualitativequantitative and functional change.

Growth is initial matter where development comes afterward as a result of growth and maturity. So the sequence may be arranged like :Growth >> Maturity >> Development

Growth only creates the ability in the individual but developmenthelps in make use of that ability.

Human body ceases to grow after attaining maximum maturity level, but development continues till the end of life.

Principles of Growth & Development Continuity Development is Cephalocaudle Development is Proximodistal Locomotion Generality to Specificity Depend on Maturation & Learning Growth is a personal matter

Continuity

From conception to death (Womb to Tomb)

Leads child to be an adult in respect of body size, functioning, behaviour.

Adulthood changes to old age.

Then comes the death which ends the life cycle.

Development is Cephalocaudal

Describes the direction of growth and development

Proceeds from head downward

Control comes in this order : HEAD >> ARMS >> LEGS

Development is Proximodistal This also describes the direction of growth &

development

The direction is Centre to Outwards

Spinal cord develops first, then the other parts of the body

The sequence is like : ARMS >> HANDS >> FINGERS

Locomotion It is related to the movement of the body.

Every species follows a similar pattern.

Each one has to pass through the stages accordingly.

This is like : CREEPING >> CRAWLING >> STANDING >> WALKING >> RUNNING

Generality to Specificity DEVELOPMENT PROCEEDS FROM GENERAL TO

SPECIFIC.

GROWTH OCCURS TO LARGE MUSCLE MOVEMENTS TO SMALLER MUSCLE MOVEMENTS.

THIS RESEMBLES WITH THE WHOLE AND PART. WE FIRST SEE THE WHOLE THEN COMES THE PARTS.

INFANT GRASPS THE OBJECT WITH HIS WHOLE HAND BEFORE USING THUMB OR FOREFINGER.

Depends on Maturation & Learning MATURATION STANDS FOR BIOLOGICAL GROWTH &

DEVELOPMENT. THESE OCCURS IN SEQUENCE. PREPARES THE CHILD TO ACCEPT NEW SKILLS AND

PROGRESS ON IT. LIKE, A SIX MONTH OLD CHILD CANNOT USE LANGUAGE

AS THE INFANT’S BRAIN HAS NOT YET ATTAINED THAT

MATURITY LABEL TO TALK.

Growth & Development are personal matter RATE AND AMOUNT OF GROWTH IS NOT SAME FOR ALL.

THIS IS CAUSED BY BOTH HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT.

THERE IS NO TWO INDIVIDUAL WHOSE DEVELOPMENT RATE IS SAME.

THERE IS NO VALIDITY IN COMPARING ONE CHILD’S

PROGRESS WITH OR AGAINST ANOTHER CHILD.

Educational Implications The education process or the learning process should be continuous and life long Learners should be introduced to basic concepts preceding elaborated

information. Subject matters should be presented in step by step. General ideas should be developed in the learners in order to make them

think specifically. The knowledge of concrete objects will be helpful to draw abstract ideas. Law of readiness must be considered while framing subject topic and

curriculum. Diversified learning strategies, course of study and developmental task

should be provided to learners in order to keep pace with their individualistic developmental context.

Thank You