This presentation is meant for 3rd year Physiotherapy students. It explains the laws & principles on which growth & development of a child is based.

1. Dr. Suvarna Ganvir
Professor
PDVVPF’s College of Physiotherapy
Ahmednagar
(For 3rd yr BPTh)

2. Objectives
 At the end of the lecture the learner shall be able to
1. Define Growth & Development.
2. Enumerate all principles of development.
3. Describe each principle with an example.

3. Principle
A fundamental, primary or general law or truth
from which others are derived.

4. Growth
• net increase in the
size, or mass of the
tissue. It is largely
attributed to
multiplication of
cells and increase in
the intracellular
substance.
Development
• refers to progressive
increase in skill and
capacity, though its
rate varies from one
child to another

5. Principles of Growth and development
1. Continuity
2. Sequentiality
3. Generality to Specificity
4. Differentiality
5. Development proceeds from the head downward

6. Principles of Growth and development
6. Development proceeds from the centre of the body outward
7. Development depends on maturation and learning
8. Development proceeds from the simple to more complex
9. Growth is a personal matter
10. Growth comes from within

7. Continuity
 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.

8. 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. Sequentiality
 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.
 Individuals work with and affect their environment, and in
turn the environment works with and affects them

10. Sequentiality
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. Generality to Specificity
 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.

13. Differentiality
 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.


14. 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.

15. Development proceeds from the Head
downward
 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.

16. Development proceeds from the centre of
the body outward
 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.

17. The directional sequence of development stages may either be
(A) from head to foot, or (B) from the central axis to the
extremities of the body.

18. Development depends on maturation and
learning
 Maturation refers to the sequential characteristic of biological
growth and development.
 The biological changes occur in sequential order and give children
new abilities.

19. 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.

20. Development proceeds from the simple to
more 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.

21. Growth is a personal matter
Each child grows in his own personal manner. He/she
should be permitted to grow at his/her own rate.
If we expects too much, he/she may does even less
than he/she is able to do.

22. Growth comes from within
 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.

23. Summary
 Definition of principle
 Definition of growth & maturation
 Principles of growth & development

24. Commonly asked questions
 Principles of Growth & development- 7M

25. References
 The Normal Child by Illingowrth
 The Development Of Infant & The Young Child- Illingworth

26. THANK YOU…