This document outlines key concepts in human development and learning, focusing on the distinctions between growth and development, various domains and stages of development, and factors influencing child development. It details the definitions of growth and development, emphasizing that growth is measurable and quantitative, while development encompasses qualitative changes that continue throughout life. Additionally, the document explores the principles of child development, stages from prenatal to adolescence, and the impact of biological, interpersonal, and environmental factors on growth and development.

1. UNIT -1
HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT AND
LEARNING
by
Rizwan Akram
Lecturer/ Teacher
Trainer

2. UNIT -1
HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT
AND LEARNING

3. UNIT–1
INTRODUCTION
TO GROWTH
AND
DEVELOPMENT
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the unit, trainee students will be
able to:
1. Differentiate between growth and
development
2. Explain different domains and stages of
development
3. Articulate the principles of a life-span
developmental approach
4. Discuss the basic issues involved in child
development
5. Identify the factors that influence child
development

4. OVERVIEW OF
GROWTH ANDN
DEVELOPMENT
Growth
• A biological processes that
naturally occur over a period of
time is called Growth
• The increase in the bodily aspects
that can be measured, for example,
height, weight, size, muscles and
length (Woolfolk, 2014)
• The natural, spontaneous, specific,
genetically programmed and
measurable quantitative gains in a
human body

5. • It is process of function and
physical maturation of an
individual it is progressive
increase in skill and capacity
or function
• Most of these changes are
qualitative in nature and
influenced by context, for
example, changes in
behavioral, social, moral and
intellectual aspects of an
individual. Overall, these
changes result in better,
adaptive, organized and
complex human behaviors
Development

6. GROWTH DEVELOPMENT
The term is used in purely physical
sense. It generally refers to increase in
size, length.
Development implies overall change in
shape, form or structure resulting in
improved working or functioning.
Changes in the quantitative aspects come
into the domain of Growth.
Changes in the quality or character rather
than the quantitative aspects comes in
this domain.
It is a part of developmental process.
Development in its quantitative aspect is
termed as growth.
It is a comprehensive and wider term and
refers to overall changes in the
individual.
Growth does not continue throughout
life. It stops when maturity has been
attained.
Development is a wider and
comprehensive term and refers to overall
changes in the individual. It continues
throughout life and is progressive.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT

7. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT
GROWTH DEVELOPMENT
Growth involves body changes. Development involves changes of an
orderly, coherent type tending
towards the goal of maturity.
The changes produced by growth are
the subject of measurement. They
may be quantified.
Development implies improvement in
functioning and behavior and hence
bring qualitative changes which are
difficult to be measured directly.
Growth is cellular . It takes place due
to the multiplication of cells.
Development is organizational. It is
organization of all the parts which
growth and differentiation have
produced.
Growth may or may not bring
development.
Development is also possible without
growth.

8. Domains of development
Physical
Domain
Cognitive
Domain
• Physical development is defined as the
biological changes that occur in the body and
brain, including changes in size and strength,
integration of sensory and motor activities.
• Cognitive development is defined as the
changes in the way we think, understand, and
reason about the world.
• Social-emotional development is defined as
the changes in the ways we connect to other
individuals and express and understand
emotions.
Social-
emotional
Domain

9. Core Features of Emotional
Development
• The core features of emotional development include
the ability of a child to;
• Identify and understand their own feelings,
• Accurately read and comprehend emotional
states of others,
• Manage strong emotions and their expression in
a beneficial manner,
• Regulate their own behavior
• Develop empathy for others
• Establish and maintain relationships

10. Stages of Development
Stage Age period Characteristics
Prenatal
period
Conception till
birth
• Rapid changes
• Transformation of a single cell
into a human body
Infancy and
toddlerhood
Birth up to 2
years
Extreme dependency
• Beginning of intense physical,
cognitive and socio-emotional
development (e.g., symbolic
thought, language development
and social learning)
Early
childhood /
Preschool
years
2 to 6 years • Self-sufficient
• Psychological and moral
development
• Considerable expansion in
thought and language

11. Stages of Development
Stage Age period Characteristics
Middle
childhood /
Elementary
school years
6 to 11 years • Increased responsibility
Improved thought processes and
athletic abilities Mastery of
reading, writing and
mathematical skills Increased
self and social awareness
Adolescence 11 to 18 years • Adolescence
• Transition to adulthood
• Rapid physical changes
• Increased autonomy, abstract
thinking and reasoning
• Development of a strong belief
system

12. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CHILD
DEVELOPMENT
Development is life-long
Development is both multidimensional and multidirectional
Development involves both gains and losses
Development is plastic
Development is situated in context and history
Development is multidisciplinary

13. ISSUES/CONTROVERSIES IN CHILD
DEVELOPMENT
Continuous or discontinuous
• Development is a smooth, continuous process
• Knowledge, skills and behaviors are gradually accumulated.
• This implies that the process of development proceeds in an organized
and orderly way.
• Newer and complex behaviors are formed on the basis of previous
abilities.
Single or multiple courses
• Development is a discontinuous process in which new skills and
behaviors emerge in rather abrupt and disconnected ways.
• From this perspective, development takes place in stages
• Mostly involves a qualitative reorganization of knowledge, behaviors,
skills and functioning.

14. Single or multiple courses
• The development occurs in a series of universal stages.
• Specific features of individuals and the distinct contextual
factors in which they are brought up are also effect.
• Child development is influenced by unique combinations of
personal (e.g., heredity and biological factors) and environmental
(e.g., home, school and community settings) circumstances,
• It follows multiple and varied tracks.

15. Nature or Nurture (stability vs. plasticity
What is it?
Nature
nature refers to an
individual's innate
qualities (nativism).)
Nurture
It refers to personal
experiences (i.e. empiricism
or behaviorism
Example Nature is your genes. The
physical and personality
traits determined by your
genes stay the same
irrespective of where you
were born and raised.
Nurture refers to your
childhood, or how you were
brought up. Someone could be
born with genes to give them a
normal height, but be
malnourished in childhood,
resulting in stunted growth
and a failure to develop as
expected
Factors Biological and family
factors
Social and environmental
factors

16. Factors Affecting Growth &
Development

17. Factors Affecting Growth &
Development
Large variation among individuals
• A number of factors affect growth and development,
including:
A. Biological factors
B. Interpersonal relationships
C. Environmental factors
D. Early environment and experiences

18. Biological factors
• Biological factors refer to the genetic features that individuals
receive from their parents.
• These include gender, as well as general, physical and mental
health, inherited traits etc.
• Boys and girls tend to develop differently.
• Similarly, general health of the child, for example, birth
weight, and medical condition influence his/her development
over time.
• Besides, maternal age, health, stress, and nutrition are likely to
influence a child's development.

19. Interpersonal relationships
• Interpersonal relationships are critical
for a child' learning and well-being.
• Healthy interpersonal relationships are
characterized by
–attachment,
–positive parenting style
–parental interactions with children
–supportive social networks.

20. Environmental factors
• Environmental influences
including parenting, nutrition,
housing, education, culture,
income, employment, health
services, safety etc. affect a child's
development.
• It is important that children are
brought up in a safe, healthy and
nurturing environment to positively
influence their development.

21. Early Environment and Experiences
• The most important early environment
for an infant is provided by his/her
primary caregiver.
• A child's relationship with his/her
caregiver, and mutual effects on each
other, lay the foundation for
development.
• Consequently, a child's development of
social, physical, emotional, language, and
cognitive skills is largely influenced by
• Early environment and experiences
• Gained through reciprocal social
interactions with adults and caregivers