Child Growth and Development CGDR
DCF EXAM 2024
Growth - answer-✔refers to specific body changes and increases in the child's size,
such as a child's height, weight, head circumference, and body mass index. These
size changes can usually be easily measured.
Development - answer-✔typically refers to an increase in complexity, a change
from relatively simple to more complicated. Development usually involves a
progression along a continuous pathway on which the child acquires more refined
knowledge, behaviors, and skills. The sequence is basically the same for all
children, however, the rate varies.
Similarities in growth: - answer-✔>Growth proceeds from the head downward and
from the center of the body outward.
>Children gain control of the head and neck first, then the arms, and finally, the
legs.
>At birth, the brain, heart, and spinal cord are fully functioning to support the
infant.
>As children grow, the arm and leg muscles develop, followed by the finger and
toe muscles.
Differences in growth: - answer-✔>Some children are taller, some shorter. Some
children are smaller, while others are larger.
>These differences are completely typical. Typical growth is supported by good
nutrition, adequate sleep, and regular exercise.
>Children do not grow at perfectly steady rates throughout childhood.
>Children will experience weeks or months of slightly slower growth, followed by
growth spurts.
,>Differences in the amount of growth can be a source of self-consciousness for
some children.
*are typical
If you detect that a child is self-conscious about his/her size, how would you help
him/her work on increasing his/her self-acceptance? - answer-✔Either individually
or with a group of children, talk about how things are different but equally
important and valuable. You could use the example of a litter of puppies or kittens
that are different colors and sizes, both larger and smaller. While they are different,
they are all special and will grow into wonderful dogs or cats. You could also use
different fruits, kinds of ice cream—and finally differences in people—to help the
child or children understand that differences are not bad, but rather make each
person special.
If you have some concern about a growth-related issue involving a child, how
would you approach this issue with the parent(s)? - answer-✔Share information
about typical growth patterns with the parent(s). You may wish to share it with all
your parents. After going over this information with the parent(s), you could ask
them if they have any questions or concerns and if they have had any discussions
with the child's doctor. If you detect the parent(s) have not had much interaction
with a doctor and do not connect the growth information with their child, gently
explain your concerns and have available local resources for medical care if the
family needs that assistance. Make sure all discussions occur in a calm and
confidential manner.
Principle 1 - Developmental Sequence is Similar for All - answer-✔>Children
develop in relatively the same ways.
>There is a typical sequence of development that occurs as a child grows.
>While the sequence is similar, and the behaviors or skills emerge in the same
order, children can take more or less time with each behavior or skill.
, >They can move forward, regress for a short time, then move forward again.
>Some children may skip a behavior or skill as they move forward.
Principle 2 - Development Proceeds from General to Specific - answer-
✔>Development progresses from a beginning point moving in a forward direction.
>Just as growth of an infant proceeds from the top down and from the center of the
body to the limbs, development of behaviors and skills moves from general to
specific.
>As children mature, their bodily changes occur in a sequential order and give
children new abilities.
>As the brain and nervous system develop, a child's thinking (cognitive) skills and
motor skills improve.
>In the Physical Development Domain, an infant's large muscles develop first and
result in the ability to wave the arms and kick the legs.
>Development continues in the smaller muscles in the fingers and toes, and results
in the ability of the fingers to grasp objects and the toes to help with balance when
standing and walking.
Principle 3 - Development is Continuous - answer-✔>In children who develop
typically, behaviors and skills they have already acquired become the basis for new
behaviors and skills.
>There is continuity from one phase of development to the next.
>Children continue to add new behaviors and skills as they perfect their abilities to
walk, to write or draw, and to speak. For example, speech development proceeds
from gurgles and coos to chattering, then to words, then phrases, and finally,
sentences. Sentences become paragraphs and stories, both oral and written.
>In order for children to write or draw, they must have developed the control of
their hands and fingers to hold a crayon and pencil. Holding a pencil develops into
writing and drawing.
