This document outlines 17 principles of growth and development: 1) Development proceeds from head to toe (cephalocaudal) and from the center of the body outward (proximodistal). 2) Growth and development is a continuous process from conception through death. 3) Development follows an orderly, sequential pattern unique to each species. 4) Growth and development are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. 5) Growth occurs at an uneven pace and there is coordination between increases in size and maturation of functions.

1. Principles of growth and development
Prepared by : Vijaykumar m b
Lecturer, MTIN, Charusat University, Gujarat

2. Define growth :Growth refers to an increase in physical size of the whole
body or any of its parts. It is simply a quantitative change in the child’s body.
It can be measured in Kg, pounds, meters, inches, ….. etc
Development : Development refers to a progressive increase in skill and
capacity of function. It is a qualitative change in the child’s functioning. It can be measured
through observation.
Principle :-A fundamental, primary or general law or truth from which
others are derived.

3. 1. Cephalocaudal

4. CEPHALOCAUDAL
 This principle describes the direction of growth and
development.
 The head region starts growth at first, following by which
other organs starts developing.
 The child gains control of the head first, then the arms and
then the legs.
 Infants develop control of the head and face movements at
first two months. In next few months they are able to lift
themselves up by using their arms. Next gain control over leg
and able to crawl, stand, walk, run, jump, climb, day by day.

5. 2. Proximodistal

6. PROXIMODISTAL
 The directional sequence of development during both
prenatal and postnatal stages may either be (i) from head to
foot, or (ii) from the central axis to the extremities of the
body.
 The spinal cord develops before outer parts of the body.
 The child’s arms develops before the hands, the hands and
feet develops before the fingers and toes.
 Fingers and toe muscles are the last to develop in physical
development.

7. 3. Growth and development is a
continuous process

8. continuous process
 Growth and Development is a continues process from
conception to death.
 In the early years of life, development consists of changes that
lead the child to maturity not only of body size and functioning,
but also of behaviour.
 Even after maturity has been attained, development does not
end. Changes continue which lead to the period of life known as
senescence or old age.
 These changes continue until death ends the life cycle.

9. 4. Growth and development is orderly or
sequential process

10. orderly or sequential process
 Every species, whether animal or human, follows a pattern of
development peculiar to it. This pattern in general is the same for
all individuals.
 Social and behavioural scientists increasingly have come to see
development as a relationship between organism and
environment in a transaction or collaboration.
 All children follow a development pattern with one stage leading
to the next.
 Ex - Infants stand Before they walk; draw circles before they
make squares

11. 5.Influenced by environmental and
genetic factor
 Individuals work with and affect
their environment, and in turn the
environment works with and affects
them

12. 6. Growth and development is predictable

13. 7. Development proceeds from simple to
complex

14. simple to complex
 Children use their cognitive and language skills to reason and
solve problems.
 Children at first are able hold the big things by using both
arms, In the next part able to hold things in a single hand,
then only able to pick small objects like peas, cereals etc.
 Children when able to hold pencil, first starts draw circles
then squares then only letters after that the words.

15. 8. Certain stage of Growth and
development are more critical

16. 9. Growth is uneven

17. 10. There is co-ordination between
increase in size and maturation

18. co-ordination between increase in size and maturation
 Maturation refers to the sequential characteristic of biological
growth and development.
 The biological changes occur in sequential order and give
children new abilities.
 Changes in the brain and nervous system account largely for
maturation. And help children to improve in thinking and
motor skills.
 Children must mature to a, certain point before they can
progress to new skills.

19. 11.Principle of individual difference

20. individual difference
 The tempo of development is not even. Individuals differ in
the rate of growth and development.
 Boys and girls have different development rates. Each part of
the body has its own particular rate of growth. Development
does not occur at an even pace.
 There are periods of great intensity and equilibrium and there
are periods of imbalance.
 Development achieves a plateau and this may occur at any
level or between levels.

21. 12. Rate of growth and development is
interrelated

22. 13. Neonatal reflexes need to be lost

23. 14. Skills are learned by practice

24. 15. Growth comes from with in

25. Growth comes from with in
 One or surrounding environment can encourage or can hinder
the energy of a child, but the drive force that pushes a child to
grow is carried inside him.
 Parent or teacher job is to clear the track, guide the child with
loving acceptance and then relax and enjoy.

26. 16. Growth has certain characteristics
common at particular age

27. 17. Proceeds from general to specific

28. general to specific
 Development proceeds from general to specific. In all areas of
development, general activities always precedes specific
activity.
For example;
 - The fetus moves its whole body but incapable of making
specific responses
 -Infants wave their arms randomly. They can make such
specific responses as reaching out for an object near them.

29. thanks