Cheat Sheet: Development & Its Relationship with Learning | Child Development and Pedagogy for CTET Preparation - CTET & State TET PDF Download

Definitions of Development

• Jersild, Telford, and Sawrey: "Development refers to the complex set of processes involved in the emergence of a mature functioning organism from a fertilised ovum."
• E. Hurlock: "Development is not limited to growing larger. Instead, it consists of a progressive series of changes towards the goal of maturity."
• J.E. Anderson: "Development is concerned with growth as well as those changes in behaviour which result from environmental situations."
• Heinz Werner: "Development consists of two processes: integration and differentiation."

Characteristics of Development

• Continuous process from conception to maturity.
• Follows an orderly sequence: Infancy → Early Childhood → Late Childhood → Adolescence → Maturity.
• Involves both qualitative (e.g., personality) and quantitative (e.g., height) changes, inseparable in nature.
• Complex phenomenon influenced by factors like physical attributes, intelligence, and sex.
• Rate of development is predictable but not precise (e.g., slow learner vs. superior child).
• Individuals differ in pattern and rate due to heredity and environmental influences.

Types of Development

Growth

• Definition: Increase in weight, height, and body proportions; involves growth of muscles and the ability of parts to function.
• Herbert Spencer: Refers to physical growth as "big and heavy."
• Focuses on quantitative changes, measurable over time (e.g., height increase).

Differences Between Growth and Development

Factors Responsible for Growth and Development

• Heredity: Biological transmission of traits (e.g., height, intelligence, eye color) from parents to offspring.
• Environment: Sum of physical and psychological influences from conception; can enhance heredity.
• Nutrition: Essential for physical and mental growth; malnutrition harms development.
• Sex: Boys and girls differ in growth patterns; girls mature faster in adolescence.
• Early Stimulation: Encourages potential (e.g., talking to babies, storybooks); unstimulating settings limit growth.
• Child Rearing: Permissive parenting may cause poor responsibility; democratic/firm parenting aids adjustment.

Stages of Human Development

Learning

• Definition: "Any relatively permanent change in behaviour from practice and experience."
• E.L. Thorndike: "Learning is a gradual process where the individual makes many attempts to learn."
• Crow and Crow: "Learning involves the acquisition of habits, knowledge, and attitudes."

Relationship Between Learning and Development

• Distinction: Development concerns the structure of knowledge; learning is triggered by situations, teachers, or external factors.
• Interaction: Learning awakens development via social interactions; growth aids learning about surroundings.
• Impact: Learning and development mutually influence mental and behavioural adjustments for survival.

Solved Examples

1. Identifying Development Type: A 4-year-old child learns to catch a ball and write her name. Classify these changes.
   Solution:
   • Catching a ball: Physical Development (gross motor skill, coordination).
   • Writing her name: Physical Development (fine motor skills, hand control).
2. Stage of Development: A 14-year-old explores new roles, experiences mood swings, and questions values. Identify the stage.
   Solution:
   • Age 14, role exploration, mood swings, and value questioning align with identity formation and cognitive/emotional shifts.
   • Matches Adolescence (12-18 years) per Erikson’s theory.
3. Factors Impacting Growth: A child grows taller but lags in problem-solving. Suggest two factors affecting this.
   Solution:
   • Height growth: Influenced by Heredity (genetic traits from parents) and Nutrition (diet supports physical growth).
   • Poor problem-solving: Limited Early Stimulation (lack of puzzles, learning activities) or an unstimulating Environment.
4. Growth vs. Development: A child gains 5 cm in height and learns to share toys. Differentiate these changes.
   Solution:
   • Height gain (5 cm): Growth—quantitative, physical, measurable change.
   • Learning to share: Development—qualitative, involves social skills, behaviour change.
5. Learning and Development Link: A 6-year-old interacts with peers, improving cooperation and reasoning. Explain the process.
   Solution:
   • Interaction with peers: Learning—acquiring cooperation via practice, experience.
   • Improved reasoning: Development—cognitive growth from social exposure.
   • Learning (peer interaction) awakens developmental processes, enhancing behaviour and adjustment.