Growth and Development

Meaning – Growth & Development

• The process by which a germinating seed or conceived

organism is turned into the mature plant or full-fledged

being are collectively termed growth and development.

Meaning - Growth

• It generally refers to increase in size, length, height and

weight

• Changes in the quantitative aspects, which could be

objectively observed and measured.

Characteristics of Growth• It refers to increase caused by becoming larger and heavier.

• It is qualitative, additive and augmental.

• It is objectively observable and measureable.

• Growth does not continue throughout life.

• Growth may or may not bring development.

• Rate of growth is not uniform.

• Individual differences among children is due to growth.

• The rate of growth of different parts of the body is different.

Meaning - Development

• It implies overall changes in shape, form or structure

resulting in improved working or functioning.

• It indicates the changes in the quality or characteristics.

• It is the result of growth, maturation and learning.

Characteristics of Development

• It occurs in an orderly, predictable pattern as a result of

maturation and experience.

• Development is continuous in all areas of mental activity.

• The goal of development is to adapt to the environment.

• It is a complex process of integrating many structures and

functions.

• It contains many aspects (physical, emotional, intellectual,

social and moral)

Cont……….• It is not uniform throughout the life span of an individual.

(It is spiral and not linear)

• Development is influenced by maturation and learning.

• It is very much related to one’s environment.

• It is based on modeling the parents, teachers and other elder

members.

• It is qualitative and hence cannot be measured directly.

• Development is possible even without growth.

Difference between growth and developmentS. No Growth Development

1 Qualitative Quantitative

2 Objectively observed & measured It cannot be measured.

3 It does not continue throughout life span. Stops after maturation.

It is continuous in all areas of mental activity.

4 It is one aspect of development. It is complex and many sided.

5 It occurs in different parts. changes in the organisms.

6 It is not directional. It is progressive and sequential.

7 It is not uniform in all the parts. Rate of development is not uniform.

8 Individual differences exist. Children differs in the level of devp.

9 It is not affected by learning. Learning & experience affects.

10 Growth may or not lead to development.

Development is integrative. Devp in one aspects promotes the devp in other aspects.

Principles of growth and development• Principle of continuity.

• Principle of individual differences.

• Rate of growth & development is not uniform.

• Uniformity of pattern.

• Development proceeds from general to specific.

• Principle of integration.

• Principle of inter-relation.

• Development is predictable.

• Growth and development are a joint product of both

heredity and environment.

• Growth proceeds from head to trunk, centre to extremities.

Principle of continuity.

• Development is continuous.

• An individual starts his life as a tiny cell and develops his body, mind and other aspects of his personality.

Meaning of maturation

• Maturation is a natural process.

• It is a growth which takes place within the individuals.

• Maturation involves changes that are associated with

normal growth.

Learning

• It is a change in the behavioral pattern which is not

heralded by his genetic inheritance.

• It takes place as a result of stimuli from outside.

• It always produced through some activity, training or

experience.

Relationship between maturation, learning and development

Aspects of human development

• Physical development

• Intellectual or mental development

• Emotional development

• Moral or character development

• Social development