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The Encyclopaedia Britannica defines 'growth' as an increase in the size or the amount of an
entity. The word growth is used for all those structural and physiological, changes that take
place-within individual during the process of maturation. For example, the increase in weight,
height, and different organs is called growth. It is a biological process and continues from birth
to adulthood. From the very beginning, a child needs food. When he eats food, it becomes a part
of his body. During this time new cells are produced which results in physical increase. This
physical increase is called growth. The Encyclopaedia Britannica, further, says that growth of
living things always occurs by an increase in the number and size of the basic units of organisms,
cells, and always eventually includes reproduction.
Development:
The Encyclopaedia Britannica defines the word development as the progressive changes
in size, shape and function during the life of an organism by which its genetic potentials
(genotype) are translated into functioning adult systems (phenotype). This means that
development includes the increase not only in the size but also in the function of an organ.
Thus, 'development is the name of all those psychological changes that take place in the
function and activities of different organs of an individual. For example, when the muscles of
legs become strong, a child begins to creep, then stand, and then starts walking. So, this creeping,
standing and walking are called development.
1. Development is continuous:
Development is a continuous process; it may be overt or covert. Disease or severe
malnutrition may halt its continuity for a time.
2. Development is orderly:
It proceeds from general to specific responses.
3. Development is sequential:
It follows a pattern i.e. various steps follow one another e.g. puberty before full physical
stature.
4. Development is unique:
Children differ individually with regard to their time schedule. 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.
5. Development is inter-related:
All the three types of development i.e. mental, social and emotional are interrelated.
Ultimately social development and emotional development are the two sides of the same
coin. Social development is nothing but a reference of emotional development. An
emotional development is nothing but a psychological reference of social behaviour.
There are many factors which affect physical growth and development. These include food,
functions of glands, intelligence, physical exercise, fresh air and sunlight and sex differences.
Meredith defines physical development or growth in the following terms.