Growth and development

Definition

Growth-

It is the process of physical maturation resulting an increase in size of the body and various organs. It occurs by multiplication cells and an increase in intracellular substance. It is quantitative changes of the body which can be measured in inches/ centimeters and pounds/kilograms. It is progressive and measurable phenomenon.

Development-

It is the process of functional and physiological maturation of the individual. It is progressive increase in skill and capacity to function. It is related to maturation and myelination of the nervous system. It includes psychological, emotional and social changes. It is qualitative aspect of maturation and difficult to measure. It is orderly, not haphazard and having direct relation between each stage and the next.

Stages of growth and developmen

Prenatal Period

• Ovum: 0 to 14 days after conception

• Embryo: 14 days to 8 weeks

• Fetus: 8 weeks to birth.

Postnatal Period

• Neonate: From birth to four weeks of life

• Infancy: First year of life

• Toddler: One to 3 years

• Preschool child (early childhood): 3 to 6 years

• School going child (middle childhood)

• 6 to 10 years (girls)

• 6 to 12 years (boys)

• Adolescent: From puberty to adulthood

-10 to 12 years (girls)

- 12 to 14 years (boys)

- Pubescent (middle adolescent)

- 12 to 14 years (girls)

- 14 to 16 years (boys)

- Postpubescent (late adolescent)

- 14 to 18 years (girls)

- 16 to 20 years (boys).

FACTOR THAT INFLUENCING G/D

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES

Development is the functional maturation of organs. It depends upon neuromuscular maturity, genetic determinants and environmental influences.

INFANT

1 to 2 months: Able to lift the chin momentarily on prone position. Able to regard bright colored object at 20 cm distance. Cries when hungry or at discomfort. Able to turn head toward sound and smiles back to mother or caregiver.

2 to 3 months: Able to lift head and front part of chest by supporting weight on extended arms. Can follow moving object with steady eye movement and able to focus eyes.

4 to 5 months: Can hold head steadily in upright position. Able to hold a rattle and bring to mouth. Can reach a thing and grasp it crudely with palm. Make coos, gurgles and respond by making sounds. Join hands together in play, enjoy people and laugh out loudly.

5 to 6 months: Able to sit with support, can hold a cube and transter from one hand to other. Try to imitate sound and m enjoy own mirror image.

7 to 8 months: Can sit without support and roll in bed from back to side then back to abdomen. Produce bubbles and say 'aam, ' da, ' la. Recognize unknown person and show anxiety.Resist toys to be taken from him/her.

8 to 9 months: Able to crawl on abdomen. Speak 'Da-Da' and 'Ma-Ma' combining syllables without meaning.

9 to 10 months: Able to creep on hands and knees. Can stand with support and cruises around furniture. Able to pick up a pellet with thumb and index finger. Understand emotions like anger, anxiety. Wave 'bye-bye' and want to please caregiver, say ba-ba, da-da, ma-ma with meaning.

10 to 12 months: Can stand without support and walk holding furniture. Able to feed himself/herself with spilling. Pick up small bits of food and take to mouth. Able to push toy car alone and play simple ball game. Can speak 3 to 5 meaningful words.

TODDLER

15 months: Able to walk alone, can walk several steps sidewise and few steps backward. Can feed himself or herself without verb spilling. Able to turn 2 to 3 pages at a time.

18 months: Can creep upstairs. Able to feed from cup. Take shoes and socks off. Want potty, point the parts of body, if asked. Build tower of two blocks and stop taking toys to mouth. Use 6 to 20 words. Copy mother's action.

2 years: Able to run and try to climb upstairs by resting on each step and then climbing up on next. Put shoes and socks on. Can remove pants. Build tower of six to seven blocks. Can copy and draw a horizontal and vertical line. Control bladder at day time (dry by dry). Speak simple sentences without use of verb.

3 years: Can walk on tip-toes and stand on one leg for seconds. Jump with both feet. Climb upstairs by coordinated manner. Ride tricycle. Can dress and undress. Brush teeth with help.Can draw a circle. Build tower of nine blocks. Has vocabulary of about 250 words.

Preschooler

3 to 6 years: Can jump and hop. Able to draw a cross ('+') by 4 years and tilted cross ('x') by 5 years of age. Can draw a rectangle by 4 years and a triangle by 5 years. Able to copy letters. Can tell stories and describe recent experience.Become independent, impatient, aggressive physically and verbally. Jealous of sibling but gradually improve in behavior and manner.

school age

6 to 8 years: Able to run, jump, hop and climb with better co-ordination. Develop better hand-eye coordination. Able to write better and take self-care. Able to use complete sentences to express feelings and follow commands. Play in group. Learn discipline. Appreciate praise and recognition.

8 to 1 years: Play actively with different physical skill.

Improved writing skill and speed. Use short and compact sentences. Participate in family discussion. Peer group involvement and increased awareness about sex role.

10 to 12 years Develop more coordinated, skilful manipulative activities and games. Able to use parts of speech correctly.Accepts suggestions and instruction obediently. May show short burst of anger.

SAFETY MEASURES AND PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS