M1 - Human Development
This focuses on the development of the child and the adolescent, who are our students in basic
education. This will help us understand the life-span development, a development that includes
the entire human life cycle from conception to adulthood. This will help us understand that
development is a continuous process.
One of the Educational Implications of Growth and Development as described by Pragati Ghosh
is that education is not only a process and a product of growing, it means growing. It aims at the
fullest possible realization of all the potentialities of children. This implies that teachers and
parents must know what children are capable of and what potentialities they possess. Equipped
with this knowledge they should provide suitable opportunities and favorable environmental
facilities which are conducive to the maximum growth of children. Apart from these
opportunities, it is necessary that their attitudes are helpful, encouraging and sympathetic.
Human Development the pattern of movement or change that begins at conception and
continues through the life span. Development includes growth and decline. This means that
development can be positive or negative (Santrock, 2002)
Major Principles of Human Development
1. Development is relatively orderly.
Proximodistal Pattern - Development proceeds from the center of the body outward.
Cephalocaudal Pattern - 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.
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.
Paul Baltes, as expert in Life-span Approach gives the following characteristics:
• 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. For instance, as individuals reach middle and late adulthood,
concern with growth gets into the back stage while maintenance and regulation take the center
stage.
Principles of Child Development and Learning that Inform Practice
1. All the domains of development and learning - physical, social and emotional, and
cognitive are important and they are closely interrelated. Children's development and
learning in one domain influence and are influenced by what takes place in other domains
2. Many aspects of children's learning and development follow well-documented
sequences, which later abilities, skills, and knowledge building on those already acquired.
3. Development and learning proceed at varying rates from child to child as well as at
uneven rates across different areas of child's individual functioning.
4. Development and learning result from a dynamic and continuous interaction of
biological maturation and experience.
5. Early experiences have profound effects on child's development and learning.
6. Development proceeds toward greater complexity, self- regulation, and symbolic or
representational capacities.
7. Children develop best when they have secure, consistent relationships with responsive
adults and opportunities for positive relationships with peers.
8. Development and learning occur in and are influenced by multiple social and cultural
contexts.
9. Always mentally active in seeking to understand the world around them, children learn
in a variety of ways; a wide range of teaching strategies and interactions are effective in
supporting all these kinds of learning.
10. Play is an important vehicle for developing self-regulation and promoting language,
cognition, and social competence.
11. Development and learning advance when children are challenged to achieve at a level
just beyond their current mastery, and also when they have many opportunities to practice
newly acquired skills.
12. Children’s experiences shape their motivation and approaches to learning such as
persistence, initiative, and flexibility; in turn, these dispositions and behaviors affect their
learning and development.
References:
Child and Adolescent Development by Dr. Brenda B. Corpuz, Dr. Rita D. Lucas, Dr. Heidi
Grace L. Borabo and Dr. Paz I. Lucido
Educational Implications of Growth and Development by Pragati Ghosh
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