Meaning, Concepts and Approaches

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Human Development the pattern of movement or

change that begins at conception and continues through the life span

includes growth and declinecan be positive or negative

Major Principles of Human Development

1. Development is relatively orderly.

Proximodistal Pattern

Cephalocaudal Pattern

Development proceeds from the center of the body outward.

Development proceeds from the head downward.

2. While the pattern of development is likely to be similar, the outcomes of developmental processes and rate of development are likely to vary among individuals.

3. Development takes place gradually.

4. Development as a process is complex because it is the product of biological, cognitive and socio-emotional processes.

• Traditional Perspective• Life-span Approach

Approaches to Human Development

Traditional Perspective

• Believes that individuals will show extensive change from birth to adolescence, little or no change in adulthood and decline in late old age

Life-span Approach• Believes that even in adulthood,

developmental change takes place as it does during childhood.

What are the characteristics of the Life-span perspective?

Development is LIFELONG.

It does not end in adulthood.No developmental stage

dominates development.

Development is MULTIDIMENSIONAL.

Development consists of biological, cognitive and socio-emotional dimensions.

Development is PLASTIC.

Development is possible throughout the lifespan.

Development is CONTEXTUAL.

Individuals are changing beings in a changing world.

Development involves GROWTH, MAINTENANCE and REGULATION.

Growth, maintenance and regulation are 3 goals of human development. The goals of individuals vary among developmental stages.

Principles of Child Development and Learning that Inform Practice

All areas of development and learning are important.

Learning and development follow sequences.

Development and learning proceed at varying rates.

Development and learning result from an interaction of maturation and experience.

Early experiences have profound effects on development and learning.

Development proceeds toward greater complexity, self-regulation, and symbolic or representational capacities.

Children develop best when they have secure relationships.

Development and learning occur in and are influenced by multiple social and cultural contexts.

Children learn in a variety of

ways.Play is an important vehicle for

developing self-regulation and promoting language, cognition, and social competence.

Development and learning advance when children are challenged.

Children’s experiences shape their motivation and approaches to learning.

More on principles of development…

Principles of Development.docx