Growth and development follow predictable patterns and sequences from head to toe and center to periphery. Growth is continuous but uneven, influenced by both nature and nurture like genetics and environment. Development involves maturation and learning, resulting in changes over time from general to specific movements and abilities in a normal sequence across physical, mental, emotional and social domains.

1. PRINCIPLES OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
PRINCIPLES OF GROWTH
 Growth proceeds from the head down to the tall or in a cephalocaudal direction
 Growth proceeds from the centre or midline of the body to the periphery or in proximo-distal directions.
 As the child matures, general movements become more specific
 There is a normal sequence in the development of physical abilities, mental development emotional and
social adequacy.
 Growth is complex with all aspects closely related.
 Growth is measured both quantitatively and qualitatively over a period of time.
 Although the rate is not even, growth is a continuous and orderly process.
 Both rate and pattern of growth can be modified, most obviously by nutrition.
 Certain primitive reflexes must be lost before corresponding voluntary movements are acquired.
 Determines one biological potential
 Is deeply influenced by the environment
 Is multifactorial in inheritance
PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT
 Development is a continuous process
 Development involves change
 development is the product of maturation and learning
 The development pattern in predicable
 individual differences in development
 Periods in developmental Pattern (Brain development in early life, Secondary sexual development in
adolescence)
 There are social expectation for every development period
 Every area of development will have potential hazards
 Happiness varies at different periods of development.
3RD
YEAR B.SC (Hons) NURSING
2013 BATCH
College of Nursing
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh (Uttarakhand)
www.aiimsrishikesh.edu.in, e-mail:con.aiimsrishikesh@gmail.com