Development process of unfolding, expanding, becoming fuller, more complex and more complete

Development process of unfolding, expanding, becoming fuller, more complex and more complete. Global impression of the child, and of fast growth, increase in understanding, acquisition of skills, and more sophisticated responses and behavior. It refers to refinement and specialization of a childs function with acquisition of increasingly complex abilities in various functional domains.

- Determined by genetic endowment. It is modified by biochemical influences and environmental events. For the primary care provider, child development serves as a window to the genes, brain and environment.Requirements for optimal development:

well formed and functioning CNS

appropriate and stimulating environment, and providing of proper nutrition at all ages opportunities to learn and act, as well as challenges and rewardsPrinciples:

continuous process from conception to maturity (begins intra-utero)

sequence is the same in all children, but rate of development is variable

development in intimately related to the maturation of the CNS

development proceeds from head to feet (cephalocaudal direction)

generalized mass activity but specific individual responses

certain primitive reflexes lost before corresponding voluntary movements are acquired. (ex. Grasp reflex disappears at 3-4 months)

Areas of development:

gross motor involves large muscles of the body, concerned with posture and balance.

fine motor smaller muscles, involves eye-hand coordination and problem solving skills.

Language art of communication, best predictor of ones future iq. Understanding/comprehension, verbal and expressive language.

Personal/social personal (ability to do things for yourself) and social (ability to relate and interact with other people)

Gross motor development very much dependent on brain maturity. Weakest correlation to iq.

Essential milestones:

- 3 months head control of around 90 degrees

- 4-5 months roll over

- 6-7 months sit with support

- 8-9 months sit alone

- 9-10 months stand holding on

- 11-12 months stand alone

- 9-17 months walking

- 3 yearswrite and pedal bike

Fine motor development most are related to self help skills

Essential milestones:

- 3 months hands should be open and unfisted

- 4 months grasp

- 5 months reach

- 6 months hold a bottle

- 11-12 months mature pincer grasp

- 1 year drink from trainers cup

- 15-18 months scribbling

- 3 yearscopy a circle

- 4 yearscross

- 5 yearssquare

Language from simple to complex.

Essential milestones: (receptive)

- birth receptive/ comprehensive language (auditory)

- 4 months localization of sound (turning towards sound)

- 6-7 months respond to name when called

- 9 months respond to No

- 1 year follow one-step gesture

- 15-18 months point to body parts

- 2 yearsfollow two-step commands

Essential milestones: (expressive)- 3 months cooing

- 6 months babbling

- 8 months utter non specific mama or dada

- 1 year more words other than mama or dada

and with meaning

- 2 years combining two words to form phrases

- 3 years talking in simple sentences, tell name,

gender and age, and tell little stories

Personal/social

Essential milestones: (personal)

- 6 months hold bottle or finger feed

- 1 yeardrink from trainers cup and attempt to use spoon

- 2 yearstoilet trained by day time

- 3 yearstoilet trained by night time

- 4 yearsdressing without supervision

- 5 yearstie own shoe laces

Essential milestones: (social)

- 2 months social smile

- 9 months play peek-a-boo or patty-cake

- 2 yearsparallel playing

- 3 yearsmake believe playing

Gauge of cognitive functioning:

- 15 months build tower of 3 cubes

- 2 yearsbuild tower of 7 cubes and shoot shapes in puzzles

Denver II method to monitor of areas of development of a child; helps in early detection of developmental disabilities.