CHILD GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Growth - Answer-refers to specific body changes and increases in the child's size such
as a child height, weight, head circumference and body mass index these size changes
can usually be easily measured
Development - Answer-typically refers to an increase in complexity a change from
relatively simple to more complicated . development usually involves a progression
along a continuous pathway on which the child acquires more refined knowledge,
behaviors, and skills the sequence is basically the same for all children however the
rate varies
Principles of child growth - Answer-- we define growth as specific body changes and
increases the child's size
- during the first year of an infants life babies can grow 10 inches in length and triple
their birth weight
Similarities in growth - Answer-- growth proceeds from the head downward and from the
center of the body outward
- children gain control of the head and neck first then the arms and finally the legs
- at birth, the brain, heart, and spinal cord are fully functioning to support the infant
- as children grow, the arm and leg muscles develop followed by the finger and toe
muscles
Differences in growth - Answer-some children are taller, some shorter some children are
smaller while others are larger
- these differences are completely typical typical growth is supported by good nutrition
adequate sleep and regular exercise
- children do not grow at perfectly steady rates throughout childhood
- children will experience weeks or months of slightly slower growth followed by growth
spurts
- differences in the amount of growth can be a source of self consciousness for some
children
- it is important to help the children in your care understand that differences in growth
patterns are typical because each child is different and special
if you detect a child is self conscious about his/her size how would you help him/her
work on increasing his/her self acceptance? - Answer-either individually or with a group
of children talk about how things are different but equally important and valuable you
could use the example of a litter of puppies or kittens that are different colors and sizes
both larger and smaller while they are different they are different they are all special and
will grow into wonderful dogs or cats you could also use different fruits, kinds of ice
cream and finally differences in people to help the child or children understand that
differences are not bad but rather make each person special
,if you have some concern about a growth related issue involving a child how would you
approach this issue with the parents? - Answer-share information about typical growth
patterns with the parents you may wish to share it with all of your parents after going
over this information with the parents you could ask them if they have any questions or
concerns and if they have had any discussions with the child's doctor if you detect the
parents have not had much interaction with a doctor and do not connect the growth
information with their child gently explain your concerns and have available resources
for medical care if the family needs that assistance make sure all discussions occur in a
calm and confidential
principles of child development - Answer-the principles of child development help us
understand how children are alike and the characteristics that are typical within age
groups
- you must able to use this information to create programs that meet the needs of
groups of children as well as the needs of each individual child
Development key points - Answer-1. development refers to an increase in complexity a
change from relatively simple to more complicated
2. development usually involves a progression along a continuous sequential pathway
on which the child acquires more refined knowledge behaviors and skills
3. the developmental sequence is basically the same for all children however the rate of
development varies from child to child
5 principles related to the progression of general development that children will typically
experience - Answer-1. developmental sequence is similar for all: children develop in
relatively the same ways, there is a typical sequence of development that occurs as a
child grows while the sequence is similar and the behaviors or skills emerge in the same
time with each behavior or skill they can move forward, regress for a short time then
move forward again some children may skip a behavior or skill as they move forward
2. development proceeds from general to specific: development progresses from a
beginning point moving in a forward direction just as growth of an infant proceeds from
the top down and from the center of the body to the limbs development of behaviors and
skills moves from general to specific as children mature their bodily changes occur in a
sequential order and give children new abilities as the brain and nervous system
develop a child thinking cognitive skills and motor skills improve in the physical
development domain an infants large muscles develop first and result in the ability to
wave the arms and kick the legs development continues in the smaller muscle in the
fingers and toe and results in the ability of the fingers to grasp objects and the toes to
help with balance when standing and walking
3. development is continuous: in children who develop typically behaviors and skills they
have already acquired become the basis for new behaviors and skills there is a
continuity from one phase of development to the next children continue to add new
behaviors and skills as they perfect their abilities to walk, to write, to draw and to speak
for example speech development proceeds from gurgles and coos to chattering then to
words then phrases and finally sentences become paragraphs and stories both oral and
, written in order for children to write or draw they must have developed the control of
their hands and fingers t
5 domains of development - Answer-1. physical development
2. cognitive development and general knowledge
3. language and communication
4. social and emotional development
5. approaches to learning each area of development influences development in other
areas
each of these developmental domains can be defined by one or more characteristics
the characteristics of the physical development domain involve increased physical
growth and abilities there are many characteristics of the cognitive development and
general knowledge domain and the approaches to learning domain which include
thinking, planning, creating, exploring, and questioning the language and
communication domain includes a child abilities to see, hear, speak, read, write.
the social and emotional development domain is defined by forming relationships and
attachments
Examples of principles - Answer-principle 1: developmental sequence is similar for all:
in the infant care center this fall you noticed 4 month Sara roll over a few weeks later
she began scooting by December 6 month Raul rolled over and scooted last week you
noticed that renae at the age of 5 months had rolled over you predict she will be
scooting very soon
principle 2: development proceeds from general to specific: 3 month old Sean loves to
wave his arms in the air as you watch him you think about the skills he will probably
achieve next first he will grasp objects then he will be able to hold a crayon and
someday he will be able to write with a pencil
principle 3: development is continuous: when lasha nda was 2 you noted that she
enjoyed solitary play and did not interact with other children by the age of 2 and a half
lashanda liked to play next to another child but there was no interaction ( parallel play)
by the age of 3 lashanda engaged routinely in associate play and could share common
material with another child without interaction by 3 and a half she had made her first real
friend and was capable of true cooperative play
principle 4: development proceeds at different rates: tom and Tim are twins and want to
do everything together however tom rode his tricycle with ease by bis 3rd birthday but
Tim was almost 4 before he could ride his tricycle with confidence
principle 5: all areas of development are interrelated: Pete and Al both nearly 5 years
old are playing with the same puzzle you watch as Pete tells Al the first piece goes here
Al says " we both have five pieces now" even though the activity lasts only a few
minutes you believe it is a good indicator of each boys current development
implications for childcare professionals - Answer-it is not unusual for a care giver to
have the first concerns about a child's development
key point: child care professionals may spot developmental issues before the parents
do which is why it is important to understand the basic child growth and development
principles
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