ASPECTS OF HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT KNEC

NOTES
Sub-topic: Aspects of human growth and development

Physical/psychomotor

Physical development refers to the physical changes in the size, structure and proportion of the parts of
the body that take place at the moment of conception. Directly physical development determines what
children can do at a particular age. Indirectly, it influences their attitude toward self and others. As the
child grows physically, the range of his experiences increases. The increase in his experience contributes
to the developments in cognitive, emotional, social and moral areas. Studies show that growth comes in
cycles. The term ‘cycles’ means that physical growth does not occur at regular rate rather in periods or
phases, sometimes rapidly and sometimes slowly. During the early childhood years, growth is slow.
Height and weight increase at the lower rate during this period. During early childhood all the parts of
the child’s body grow, but at different rates. During early childhood, the forehead area develops faster
than the lower part of the face. This is due to rapid growth of the brain. The trunk grows longer and
broader in the early years of childhood.

Arms – grow much longer between babyhood and age 6. Arms are thin and straight because the muscles
grow at a very slow rate. Legs grow at a slower rate than the arms.

Teeth – most of the baby teeth have cut through the germs shortly after babyhood ends. The baby teeth
will be fall between 5 and 7. The process of loosing baby teeth and replacing them with permanent
teeth goes on until the child is 12 or 13 years.

Bones – bone development consists of growth in bore size, change in the number of bones, and change
in their composition. Bone development is most rapid during the first years of life, then relatively slow
up to the time of puberty and one again more rapid.

Muscles and Fat – Fatty tissues develop faster than muscle tissue during early childhood. Children who
eat too much carbohydrates and too little protein will develop too many fat cells.

Nervous System – At birth brain weight is one-eighth of total weight, at 10 years, one-eighteenth, at 15
years, one-thirtieth, and a maturity one fortieth.

Sex Differences

At birth girls tend to be shorter than boys.

Boys are generally taller than girls at all ages except 10, 11 and 12 years as girls tend to reach puberty
earlier.
Boys tend to be heavier than girl right through the first nine years. Between ten to fourteen years the
girls have a tending to shoot ahead.

Factors Affecting Physical Development:

Heredity and environment are the two main factors that affect physical development. The environment
factors include prenatal and birth conditions, socio-economic status, nutrition, physical exercises etc.

Physical development can be defined as the series of anatomic and physiologic changes taking place
between the beginning of pre-natal life and senility.

The child begins to assume the body proportions for an adult.

Height: Generally after two and half years the child gains 2-2.5 inches every year up to 12 years.
Approximately the height of male child becomes 45 inches and female 43 inches.

Weight: There is steady increase in weight, average growth per year 5 to 6 pounds.

Legs growth is rapid and represent about half of ones total height

The head is slow in growth but the trunk grows a little faster.

Towards puberty girls are a bit lighter and shorter.

At this age muscle develops at rapid speed.

Motor development:

Motor development means the development of control over bodily movements through the co-
ordinated activity of the nerve centres, the nerves and the muscles. Motor development is of greater
significance for the total development of the child.

Good Health which is vital to the child’s development and happiness is partly dependent on exercise.

Emotional maturity: Once the child develops his motor skills adequately he starts participating in team
games and sports and learn to control his emotions, show sportsmanship etc.

Independence: Motor development gives the child a sense of independence and with it a feeling of
security since he can learn to tackle things on his own.

Self-Entertainment: Motor control enables children to engage in activities which give them enjoyment
even in the absence of playmates.

Socialization: Good motor development contributes to the child’s acceptance and provides
opportunities to learn social skills.
Self-Concept: Motor control leads to feelings of physical security, which are soon translated in to
psychological security.

Gross and Finer Motor Skills: Motor skills can be roughly divided into two main types.

The gross muscular skills like jumping, hopping, running, lifting and climbing.

The finer muscular skills like drawing, painting and writing.

Importance of Motor Development

Stimulates intellectual growth and creativity

Encourages socialization, independence, and self-confidence.

Promotes good mental health

Strengthens self-concept

Factors Affecting Physical and Motor Development

Heredity — determines the rate of growth and maturation, bone age, height etc.

Nutrition – should be balanced and sufficient otherwise will lead to stunted growth, Kwashiorkor,
rickets, marasmus obesity etc.

Diseases – prolonged illness interferes with steady growth

Child rearing practices- practice, stimulation

Stress – affects hormonal secretions causing physical dwarfism.

Implications

For proper physical and motor development, the following factors need to be considered:

Importance of maturation

Importance of individual differences

Importance of adequate and balanced diet

Medical attention and immunization

Hygienic conditions

Provision of a rich environment

Cognitive/mental Development

The mental development include the development of intellectual and mental capabilities like sensation,
perception, concept formation, attention and interest, development of imagination, memory and
problem solving ability and other mental abilities. The teacher’s duty is to assist the child in the
development of his abilities. Development of these abilities is the aim of our education. Therefore,
mental development means development of mental and intellectual capabilities, which help an
individual to adjust his behaviour to the ever-changing environmental conditions or to complete a task
that needs complex cognitive capabilities. Intellectual abilities are interrelated, so, the overall
development of this abilities can only lead to the development of an individual.

Factors affecting mental development

Hereditary or natural factors

Environmental or natural factors

Influence of family

Neighbourhood influence

Influence of school

Teacher’s behaviour

Method of teaching

Curriculum:

Extra-curricular activities

Areas of Mental Development

Sensation: Sensation is the elementary impression gathered through sense organ. The child’s response
to a stimulus is influenced not only by the sensory stimulus but also by the effect of past experience. The
sensory stimulus separated from the effect of past experience is called sensation.

Perception: If the sensory stimuli processed and interpreted by the brain such process is called
perception. Perception can never take place in the absence of basic sensation. The sequence of events
leading to perception. i.e., Sensation + Meaning = Perception.

Contribution of play to Cognitive Development: –

Helps to nurture curiosity object permanence, inner experimentation etc.

Helps children to develop additional cognitive and social skills

Helps in the resolution of conflicts and in the compensation of unsatisfied needs and the inversion of
roles for example, obedience and authority.

Enables children to try out roles that other people play while encouraging them to think about the
feelings of the individuals who actually live these roles. (Role Taking)

Factors Influencing Cognitive Development

Biological factors — maturation of nervous system.

Socio-cultural factors social interaction, educational factors/schooling, and cultural factors.

Experiences in the physical environment- rich and poor environments, mental stimulation.

Social Development

Social development is the ability to adjust the individual to his present social circumstances and to
behave in accordance with the wishes and desires of other people i.e., Social development is a process
of development by which a child acquires the necessary attitudes, values and skills that makes him an
acceptable member of the group, which he belongs. According to Crow and Crow social development as
the acquisition of the ability to conform to group standard. In the words of Elizabeth Hurlock, Social
development means the attaining of maturity in social setting. In defining social development, Sorenson
has written, by social growth and development we mean the increasing ability to get along well with one
and others. In short socialization is the process of the development of such qualities, which bring
desirable changes in social behaviour of the child. It is the process whereby the biological individual is
converted into a human person. An individual, mature from the social stand point, is one who co-
operate with all those with whom he come into contact, and contradict them only when such a course
of action becomes inevitable.

Characteristics of social development

Early social response

Response to other children

Group activities

Social perception

Resistant behaviour
Sympathy

Fights and quarrels

Cooperation

Competition

Agents of Socialization

The following are the main agents of socialization.

The Family

Parents train their children in the following areas: eating, toilet training, sex modesty, dressing and
tidiness, respect for adults and those in authority and cultural inhibitions. Children are trained through
rewards and punishments and by imitation of role models.

The school

Children learn how to relate to others formally and informally. The school imparts knowledge and skills
and proper attitudes to pupils to help them fit in the society. The school also reinforces the values of the
society. For example emphasizing cleanliness, co-operation, respect etc.

Peer groups

Children learn meaning of role, status and leadership from peers. The peer group also influences
fashions, habits and trends. From the peer group, children acquire the following benefits:

It provides opportunity to practice leadership skills, which may enhances a child’s self-esteem necessary
for a healthy personality development.

It teaches the child a variety of social skills such as cooperation and sharing.

It provides an emotional outlet and social emotional support when one is experiencing problems.

It provides opportunity for one to express himself among equals without fear of judgment or
reprimands.

Social organizations

These include religious organizations, clubs, societies etc.

Mass media
Includes electronic and print media. Their role is to educate, inform and influence. The mass media can
enhance prosocial behaviour, language and cognitive development. It can also introduce antisocial
behaviour such as aggression and gender and racial stereotypes.

Importance of Play in Social Development

The physical activity of play helps young children to develop and improve their mental skills.

Imaginary and fantasy play is a step towards the development of abstract thinking.

Play helps children to persevere and build attention skills.

Play is important in social-emotional development.

Children use play to understand, express, share and control emotional experiences.

Allow children to get rid of aggression and to learn to control aggressive urges.

Through play children form their first friendships and build social skills.

Provide a fairly safe environment in which children can compare their own behaviours and skills with
those of other children.

Helps in muscular coordination and motor skill are refined.

Increases self-confidence.

Develops cognitive, social and emotional skills for example problem solving, language competence and
interaction.

Shows child’s inner needs and desires.

Helps children to better understands themselves, others and events.

Learns how to formulate, negotiate, argue and follow rules.

Improves creativity imagination, and tolerance.

Helps children to acquire new information and understanding.

Learns how to listen to other’s views.

Learns to communicate ideas and acquire more vocabularies.

Resolve conflict- endurance, sympathy, and self-control, give and receive.

Low impulsivity, low aggression, sharing, cooperation, independence, social maturity.

Factors Influencing Social Development

Physical factor: Healthy child have the strength to make him adjusted in the challenging social situations.
He is able to mingle with people and maintain proper relationship.

Mental factor: Mental factor or intelligence is very essential for adjustment and sociability to the
individual

Emotional factor: The person expresses his emotion in a proper way at a proper time, then he is able to
possess a healthy social personality.

Environmental factors

Family

School

Peer group

Emotional Development

‘Emotional development’ refers to the emergence of emotions like anger, joy, delight, happiness, fear,
anxiety and sorrow and the socially acceptable ways of expressing them. As the child grows up and
becomes aware of acceptable ways of behaviour, a variety of emotions also emerge. As an infant he
expresses only discomfort and delight. As he grows older expressions of joy, happiness, fear, anger and
disappointment appear. He learns to express these emotions in a healthy manner. From the simple
emotional states present at birth, new and more complex emotions develop. This development comes
partly from maturing but mostly through learning. By the end of the first year, the baby feels fear, anger,
jealousy, envy, curiosity, joy and affection.

Common Emotions

Affection: Anything that gives the young child pleasure a person, a pet or a toy becomes the object of
the child’s affection.

Anger: Anger has a very bad influence on the personality of the individual and hence is called a negative
emotion.

Curiosity: Things that are new and different may make children want to explore them. later, when
children can ask questions, they add facts given the answers to what they learned from exploring.

Envy: The usual causes of envy in young children are the things other children own or can do.

Fear: Is a form of self-protecting flight from any dangerous situations. The child is frightened by loud
noises, animals, strange persons, high places, darkness, loneliness, pain and falling down.
Grief: The loss of anything important to children a family member, a pet or a loved toy-makes them cry
and they refuse to do what they usually do.

Jealousy: Jealousy is an attitude of resentment directed towards people. Whenever a parent or other
adult shows more interest in, and gives more time and attention to another child, young children may
resent it.

Joy: Anything that makes a young child feel satisfied and important, such as doing something well and
winning praise for it, gives rise to an overall feeling of happiness known as joy.

Moral Development

The term moral is derived from the Latin word ‘Mores’ which means manners, custom or folkways. Thus
an individual’s moral notions and concept are determined by laws, traditions, religious ideals, custom
etc. Hence moral development considered as a part of social development as well as emotional
development. Moral development refers to the development of moral concept and moral behaviour.
Moral concepts start developing when the child learns what is good and what is bad, what are right and
whatis wrong. The child categorizes any action that meets with his parent’s disapproval and invites their
criticism as bad or wrong and all actions sanctioned and welcomed by the parents are accepted as good
and correct. That is, punishment and the reward control the children’s right and wrong action.
Moreover, the child’s moral development is dependent upon his emotional development. Hence moral
development is a complex process in which the action and interaction of an individual and other people
surrounding him is of great importance.

Aesthetic

Language Development

A major feature that distinguishes the human being from animal is their ability to use vocal speech as a
means of communication. Language is used throughout the human life span for communication;
thinking; problem solving; creative activities and writing. The child learns three forms of language
namely spoken, written and gesture. The individual’s linguistic development is strongly influenced by the
community, home, school, and the family’s social and economic status. Language acquisition
significantly alters the child’s cognitive and social experiences and helps children to form a view of
themselves. Towards the end of babyhood 2-3 years child begins to use words and forming sentences.
At 4-5 years a child improves to form sentences considerably and is able to use grammar. After 5 he
achieves comprehension of meanings of the words, builds up new vocabulary e.g. good, bad, this, that.

Language has several functions:

Communication of thoughts, desires, and needs to others.

Translation of experiences into symbols so that one is able to remember the experiences better.

Helps to increase understanding.

Transmission of culture

Factors Influencing Language Development

Social environment. The environment needs to be stimulating in terms of language acquisition. There
should be suitable role models and regular use of language.

Presence of adult speakers rather than other children.

Cognitive development

Maturation and other developmental factors such as hearing, mouth deformities etc.

Bilinguals.

(Visited 130 times, 1 visits today)

Share this:

FacebookWhatsAppTelegramGmailEmailShare

Written by MJ

Post navigation

BASIC THEORIES OF HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT KNEC NOTES

STAGES OF HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT KNEC NOTES

Popular posts:

Updated Study Notes and Revision Kits

Certified Public Accountants (CPA) FREE Study Notes…

CPA PAST PAPERS

OFFICE MANAGEMENT AND OFFICE ADMINISTRATION KNEC NOTES

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF MANAGEMENT KNEC NOTES

PUBLIC RELATIONS NOTES PDF

CPA PAST PAPERS – 2015 TO 2021 CPA MERGED PAST PAPERS

EMERGING TRENDS AND ISSUES IN ICT NOTES

REVISED CPA KASNEB NOTES

KASNEB RESOURCES – Notes, Revision Kits and…

ORGANISATION THEORY AND BEHAVIOUR KNEC NOTES

KNEC DIPLOMA NOTES

UNIVERSITY RESOURCES PDF

KISM MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PROCEDURE

INFORMATION SYSTEMS NOTES PDF

Diploma in Supply Chain Management Knec Notes – Free

KASNEB – Certified Public Accountants (CPA)…

INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS STATISTICS MOUNT KENYA…

KNEC Section

Recent Posts

CERTIFIED QUALITY PROFESSIONAL (CQP) EXAMINATION TIMETABLE AUGUST 2024

CERTIFIED FORENSIC FRAUD EXAMINER (CFFE) TIMETABLE AUGUST 2024

CERTIFIED INFORMATION SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS EXPERT (CISSE) EXAMINATION TIMETABLE AUGUST 2024

CCP EXAMINATION TIMETABLE AUGUST 2024

CIFA EXAMINATION TIMETABLE AUGUST 2024

CS EXAMINATION TIMETABLE AUGUST 2024

CPA EXAMINATION TIMETABLE AUGUST 2024

DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER NETWORKS AND SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION (DCNSA) TIMETABLE AUGUST

DIPLOMA IN DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYTICS (DDMA) TIMETABLE AUGUST 2024

ATD EXAMINATION TIMETABLE AUGUST 2024

MJ on KASNEB – COMPANY LAW REVISION KIT ( PAST PAPERS WITH SOLUTION)

MJ on KASNEB – COMPANY LAW REVISION KIT ( PAST PAPERS WITH SOLUTION)

Markline on KASNEB – COMPANY LAW REVISION KIT ( PAST PAPERS WITH SOLUTION)

admin on Advanced Financial Reporting and Analysis Revision Kit (Past Papers With Answers)

Gloria on Financial Management Topic 2

Archives

June 2024

May 2024

April 2024

February 2024

January 2024

December 2023

November 2023

September 2023

July 2023

May 2023

March 2023

February 2023

January 2023

December 2022

November 2022

October 2022

September 2022

August 2022
July 2022

June 2022

May 2022

April 2022

March 2022

February 2022

January 2022

December 2021

November 2021

October 2021

September 2021

August 2021

July 2021

June 2021

May 2021

April 2021

March 2021

February 2021

January 2021

December 2020

November 2020

October 2020

September 2020

August 2020

July 2020
June 2020

May 2020

March 2020

February 2020

January 2020

December 2019

November 2019

October 2019

September 2019

August 2019

Categories

Uncategorized

Popular Pages

Updated Study Notes and Revision Kits

Certified Public Accountants (CPA) FREE Study Notes…

CPA PAST PAPERS

REVISED CPA KASNEB NOTES

KASNEB RESOURCES – Notes, Revision Kits and…

KNEC DIPLOMA NOTES

Diploma in Supply Chain Management Knec Notes – Free

KASNEB – Certified Public Accountants (CPA)…

KNEC Section

KENYAN UNIVERSITIES’ STUDY RESOURCES PDF

Popular Posts

OFFICE MANAGEMENT AND OFFICE ADMINISTRATION KNEC NOTES

PUBLIC RELATIONS NOTES PDF

CPA – Financial accounting Free PDF download

CPA PAST PAPERS – 2015 TO 2021 CPA MERGED PAST PAPERS

August 2024

S M T W T F S

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

« Jun

Online Users: 0

Today's Views: 57

Today's Visitors: 39

Yesterday's Visitors: 865

Total Visitors: 1,558,203

Total Page Views: 1

Copyright © 2024 MASOMO MSINGI PUBLISHERS. All rights reserved.

Education Hub Pro by WEN Themes

Thanks for sharing!

More…