INTRODUCTION
The
aim of education is to bring about desired changes in the learner. Changes are
taking place in an individual due to learning and also due to the natural
growth and development. Development of proper attitudes, habits and patterns of
behaviour formed during the early years determines to a great extent how
successfully an individual adjust himself as he grows older. Since the task of the teacher is to bring
about desirable changes in the growing child, knowledge about growth and
development is outmost important.
THE DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS
Change
is the law of nature. Animate or inanimate objects are all subject to change.
Seeds, after germinating in the soil grow as saplings and then as specific
plants and trees which in turn flower and produce seeds or fruits for further
germination. Similar in the case with birds, animals and human beings who can
produce their own kind by the transmission of specific characteristics of the
species through sexual union.
In
all animals, including human beings, the pre-natal period resembles the time
taken by a germinating seed to come out of the soil, which then grows and
develops into a full-fledged plant or tree. 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.
The
process of growth and development and are the medium and means for bringing
about changes in the organism. In general, growth and development refers to the
changes produced by the interaction produced by one’s genetic and environmental
factors as well as to the changes in the physical, mental, social, emotional
and moral aspects involving one’s
individuality.
MEANING OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
The
terms growth and development are often used interchangably and regarded as
synonymous. Growth is sheer increase in size, height, weight, power etc. It
refers to the dimensional augmentation, cellular multiplication, or
quantitative changes in size, weight and number. The
process
of
gradual
increase
of
an
individual or animal
or
a
seed, germ or root to
its full
size
or
maturity is called growth. According to
Crow and Crow ‘growth refers to
structural and physiological changes while development refers to growth as well
as change in behaviour’.
The
term development refers to change in structure, form or shape and improvement
in functioning. It does not consist
merely of adding inches to one’s height or improving one’s ability, but it is a
complex process of integrating many structures and functions. In the words of
Hurlock, the term development means a
progressive series of changes that occur in an orderly predictable pattern as a
result of maturation and experience.
Growth
and development are correlated because both occur together. Growth takes place when a child grows taller,
his bones, muscles and other parts of the body increase in size. As the child
grows his mind and body mature and he is able to function at a higher level.
For
example; as a child grows in age, the size of his fingers increases in length
and in thickness. This is considered as growth. Along with this growth the
ability of the child to use his fingers with ease, speed and precision for
various purpose also may increase. This change can be considered as
development.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF GROWTH
1.
Growth is a complex process
2.
Growth follows a definite sequence or
pattern
3.
Growth proceeds more rapidly in the
early years of life
4.
Rate of growth is not uniform in
different stages and parts
5.
Growth is not a continuous process. It stops
with maturity
6.
Growth is cumulative in nature
7.
Growth is influenced by heredity and
environment
8.
The tempo or speed of growth is not even
9.
There is marked individual difference in
growth
10.
The rate and pattern of growth can be
modified by conditions internal and external to the body
CHARACTERISTICS
OF DEVELOPMENT
1.
Development is the result of maturation
and learning
2.
Development follows a definite and
predictable pattern
3.
Each period of development involves
certain hazards
4.
Certain characteristic traits are
associated with each phase of development
5.
Development is not uniform in al individuals
6.
Development depends on both heredity and
environment
7.
Development is gradual and it takes time
FACTORS
INFLUENCING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Right from conception, the beginning of life in a mother’s
womb, the growth and development of human beings is influenced by a variety of
factors categorized broadly as internal and external. They are mentioned below:
Internal
Factors:
All those factors which
lie within the individual are called internal factors. These includes 1.
Heredity 2. Biological or constitutional 3. Intelligence 4. Emotional factors and 5.
Social factors.
1. Heredity factors:
Heredity is the
process of transmitting biological traits from parent to offspring
through genes, the basic units of heredity. Heredity also refers to the
inherited characteristics of an individual, including traits such as height,
eye color, and blood type.
Heredity factors play their part at the time of conception
in the mothers womb. What is transferred to the offspring from its immediate
parents in the form of genes and chromosomes at this time, constitute the
hereditary contribution. This contribution is the real starting point and basis
for all the growth and development that takes place later in the life of the
child. The height, weight, colour of the eyes and skin, characteristics of the
hair, are all decided by these hereditary influences.
The physical
structure, nervous system and other things related one’s constitutional
make-up, body chemistry and physical development are to a great extent decided
by hereditary factors. If the hereditary contributions are satisfactory, then
with minimum efforts, we get satisfactory results, otherwise we have to make
tremendous efforts for achieving desired results or success in terms of child’s
satisfactory growth and development.
2.
Biological and
Constitutional Factors:
A child’s constitutional make-up,
somatic or physical structure, body chemistry etc. influence his growth and
development throughout his life.
·
A child who is physically week or have
internal deformities cannot achieve normal physical and mental growth and
development.
·
The nervous system which controls the
body movement, affects the growth and development of a child in cognitive
spheres.
·
The endocrine or ductless glands or
hormones have important role in growth
and development. In case there is over
activity (hyperactivity) or under activity (hypoactivity) of these glands, it
results in serious abnormality in growth and development.
·
Defective constitutional make-up like
ugly face, short stature and any other deformity of the body may give birth to
feelings of inferiority and he may face adjustment problems in the social
environment.
3.
Intelligence
:
Intelligence is considered as a major
factor influencing development. Children of high intelligence develop in many
aspects faster than that of low
intelligence. Even the body movement and behaviour are regulated by his level
of intelligence. It affect his social behaviour, moral adjustment and emotional
growth. The physical, social, emotional,
moral and language development of a child is greatly influenced and controlled
by the level of his intelligence.
4.
Emotional
factors:
Emotional maturity and adjustability play
a vital role in influencing a person’s overall growth and development. A child
who is found to be overwhelmed by negative emotions like fear, anger, jealousy,
etc. is adversely affected in his
physical, mental, social, moral and language development. If a person cannot
exercise a reasonable control over his emotions, he has to suffer in his terms
of growth and development. He may find himself
a failure in doing some serious mental activity.
5.
Social
Nature:
A person’s socialization helps him in
achieving adjustment and advancement in other aspects of his growth and
development. He may learn from his environment, by means of his social nature,
which may prove to be a boon to him for his proper growth and development.
External Factors:
The
factors lying outside individual in his environment are collectively called the
external factors influencing growth and development. These factors begin their
role immediately after a baby is conceived.
They are as follows:
A. Environment
in the womb of mother:
What is available to
the child for his nourishment in its mother’s womb from the time of conception
till his birth is quite important from the angle of his growth and development.
A few factors are cited below as examples.
The
physical and mental health of the mother during pregnancy
Single
child or multiple children getting nourished in the womb
Quality
and quantity of nutrition received by the embryo
Normal
and abnormal delivery
Any
damage or accident to the baby in the womb
B.
Environment available after birth:
Whether
a child gets from different conditions and forces of his environment after his
birth influence his growth and development in many ways. These are described as
follows:
a)
Accidents
and incidents of life: The
growth and development of an individual is greatly influenced by the good and
bad incidents and accidents happens in his life time. For example, if a child’s
nervous system is damaged in an accident, it will hamper his mental development
and in turn it will affect his development in other spheres also.
b)
The
Quality of physical environment, medical care and nourishment: A childes growth and development is greatly
influenced by the quality of physical environment and medical care and
nourishment available to him for his living and working. These include open
space, balanced diet, proper medical care etc.
c)
The
Quality of the facilities and opportunities provided by the social and cultural
forces: What
a child gets from his social and cultural environment influences the entire
course of his development. A few are mentioned below:
Parental
and family care received by a child
Economic
and social status of the parents and family
The
quality of schooling received by a child
The
quality of peer group relationships of the child
The
quality of neighbourhood and surrounding environment
PRINCIPLES OF
DEVELOPMENT
From the scientific knowledge gathered through
observation of children, some principles have emerged. These principles enable
the parents and the teachers to understand how children develop. What is
expected of them? How to guide them and provide proper environment for their
optimum development? It seems that the
process of development is operated by some general principles. These rules or
principles may be named as the principles of development. Some of these
principles are briefly explained below:
1.
Principle of
Continuity: Development is a process which begins from the
moment of conception in the womb of the mother and goes on continuing till the
time of death. It is a never ending
process. The changes however small and gradual continue to take place in all
dimensions of one’s personality throughout one’s life.
2.
Principle of Individual
differences: Every organism is a distinct creation in itself.
Therefore, the development which undergoes in terms of the rate and outcome in
various dimensions is quite unique and specific. For example, all children will
first sit up, crawl and stand before they walk. But individual children will
vary in regard to timing or age at which they can perform these activities.
3.
Principle of
lack of uniformity in the developmental rate: Though
development is a continuous process it does not exhibit steadiness and
uniformity in terms of the rate of development in various dimensions of
personality or in the developmental periods and stages of life. Instead of steadiness, development usually
takes place in fits and starts showing almost no change at one time and a
sudden spurt at another. For example, shooting up in height and sudden change
in social interest, intellectual curiosity and emotional make-up.
4.
Principle of uniformity
of pattern: Although there seems to be a clear lack of
uniformity and distinct individual differences with regard to the process and
outcome of the various stages of development, yet it follows a definite pattern
in one or the other dimension which is uniform and universal with respect to
individuals of a species. For instance, the development of language follows a
somewhat definite sequence quite common to all human beings.
5.
Principle of
proceeding from general to specific: While developing in relation to any aspect of
personality, the child first picks up or exhibits general responses and learns
to show specific and goal-directed responses afterwards. For example, a baby
starts by waving his arms in general random movement and afterwards these
general motor responses are converted into specific responses like grasping or
reaching out. Similarly when a new born baby cries, his whole body is involved
in doing so but as he develops, it is limited to the vocal cords, facial
expression and eyes etc. In development of language, a baby calls all men daddy
and all women mummy but as he grows and develops, he begins to use these names
only for his own father and mother.
6.
Principle of
integration: By observing the principle of proceeding
from general to specific or from the whole to the parts, it does not mean that
only the specific responses are aimed for the ultimate consequences of one’s
development. Rather, it is a sort of integration that is ultimately desired. It
is the integration of the whole and its parts as well as the specific and
general responses that enables a child to develop satisfactorily in relation to
various aspects or dimensions of his personality.
7.
Principle of
interrelation: The various aspects of one’s growth are
development are interrelated. What is
achieved or not achieved in one or the other dimension in the course of the
gradual and continuous process of development surely affects the development in
other dimensions. All healthy body tends to
develop a healthy mind and an emotionally stable and socially conscious
personality. On the other hand, inadequate physical or mental
development may results in a socially or emotionally maladjusted personality.
That is why all efforts in education are always directed towards achieving
harmonious growth and development in all aspects of one’s personality.
8.
Principle of
interaction: The process of development involves active
interaction between the forces within the individual and the forces belonging
to the individual. What is inherited by the organism at the time of conception
is first influenced by the stimulations received in the womb of the mother and
after birth, by the forces of physical and socio-psychological environment for
its development. Therefore, at any stage of growth and development, the
individual’s behaviour or personality make-up is nothing but the end-product of
the constant interaction between his heredity endowment and environmental
set-up.
9.
Principle of interaction
of maturation and learning: Development occurs as a result of both maturation
and learning. Maturation refers to changes in an organism due to unfolding and
ripening of abilities, characteristics, traits and potentialities present at
birth. Learning denotes changes the changes in behaviour due to training and
experience.
10.
Principle of
predictability: Development is predictable, which means
that, to a great extent, we can forecast the general nature and behaviour of a
child in one or more aspects or dimensions at any particular stage of its
growth and development. Not only such prediction is possible along general
lines but it is also possible to predict the range within which the future
development of an individual child is going to fall. For example, with the
knowledge of the development of the bones of a child it is possible to predict
his adult structure and size.
11.
Principle of
cephalocaudal and proximodistal tendencies:
Cephalocaudal and
proximodistal tendencies are found to be followed in maintaining the orderly
sequence and direction of developments.
According to cephalocaudal tendency, development
proceeds in the direction of the longitudinal axis, ie. head to foot. For
example, before it becomes able to stand, the child first gains control over
his head and arms and then on his legs.
In terms of proximodistal tendency, development proceeds from the near
to the distant and the parts of the body near the centre develops before the
extremities. For example, in the beginning the child is seen to exercise
control over the large fundamental muscles of the arm and the hand and only
afterwards the smaller muscles of the fingers.
12.
Principle of spiral versus linear
advancement. The path followed in development by the child is not
straight and linear and development at any stage never takes place with a
constant or steady pace. At a particular
stage of his development, after the child had developed to a certain level,
there is likely to be a period of rest for consolidation of the developmental progress
achieved till then. In advancing further, development turns back and then moves
forward again in a spiral pattern.
Educational
implications of the Principles of Growth and Development
1.
Knowledge of the principles of
growth and development tells us that there are wide individual differences
among the children with respect to their growth and development. Therefore we
must pay due attention to their individual pattern and growth rate while
planning the course for their education and development.
2.
Development is a continuous process,
so the teacher should take continuous efforts to achieve perfection in the
various aspects of development of the child.
3.
The principle of ‘proceeding from
general to specific responses’ and the ‘principle of integration’ helps the
teacher to plan learning process and arrange suitable learning experiences so
as to achieve maximum gains in terms of growth and development.
4.
Development is an individualized
process. So each child should be helped
along the developmental process with in the sphere of his individual ability.
5.
Each stage of growth and development
has its possibilities and limitations. This implies that the teacher should not
expect from pupils what is beyond to their stage of development.
Thanks a lot
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