HUMAN DEVELOPMENT:

MEANING, CONCEPTS
AND APPROACHES

Presented by Group 1
ACTIVITY

Here are pictures of two children. Each one is a bundle of

possibilities. Describe what they were before birth (their point of
origin) and who they will possibly be after birth unto adulthood. What
they will possibly become?
ANALYSIS
After listening to the predictions given by
each member of the group, answer the
following questions
●When you gave your own predictions as to
the kind of child, adolescent and adult
Naschielle and Kenn may become and
hypothesized on who they once were, you
were referring to human development. What
then is development?
●Will there be anything common in the
pattern of development of Naschielle and
Kenn? If yes, what?
●Will there be differences in their
development, e.g. pace or rate of
development? What and why?

●Will the process of development take place

very fast or gradually? Expound on your
answer.

●Do you believe that Naschielle and Kenn will

continue to develop even in adulthood? Or
will they stop developing in adulthood?
 Human Development
● It is the pattern of movement or
change that begins at the
conception and continues through
the life span
● This include growth and decline
that can possibly be positive or
negative.
 Here are some Major Principles
of Human Development:
1. Development is relatively orderly.
2. Similar pattern of development varying
rate of development.
3. Development takes place gradually.
4. Development as a process is complex
because it is the product of biological,
cognitive and socioemotional process
(Santrock, 2002).
 Development is relatively
orderly
●Proximodistal pattern – is the
progression of motor development
radiating from the center of an
organism to the periphery.
Development is relatively orderly

●Cephalocaudal pattern – describe the

general growth pattern of organisms to
develop areas near the main neural
area (typically in the head) earlier that
areas of the body that are more distant.
Similar pattern of development
varying rate of development
●Stimulation is very important
●Carrying and loving parents can help
develop warm and responsible children,
adolescents and adults.
●Heredity and environment affect the
growth and development of children
 Development takes place
gradually
●It takes weeks, months or years for a
person to undergo changes that result
in the display of development
characteristics.
 Development is a complex
process
●Biological processes involve changes in
the individuals physical nature.
●Cognitive processes involve changes in
the individual’s thoughts intelligence
and language.
●Socio-emotional processes include
changes in the individual’s relationship
with other people, changes in emotion,
and in personality
 Two Approaches to Human
Development
Traditional Life Span
Approach

Life Span Approach gives the following characteristics.

● Development is lifelong- It does not end in adulthood.

● Development is multidimensional- development consist of
biological, cognitive and socio-emotional dimensions.
● Development is plastic- development is possible throughout the
life span.
● Development is contextual- individuals are changing beings in a
changing world.
● Development involves growth, maintenance and regulation-
Growth - gets into the back
Maintenance and regulation - takes the center stage
 Principles of Child Development
and Learning that inform
practice
●Below are the principles of child
development and learning which are the
base of developmentally appropriate
practice (DAP) in early childhood program
(from birth to ages 8) stated in the position
paper of National Association for the
Education of Young Children (2009)
 FAQ: What is DAP or Developmentally Appropriate Practice?

It is a perspective within early childhood education whereby a teacher or a

child caregiver natures a child’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive
development by baring all practices and decisions on the theories, child’s
cultural background.

1. All the domains of development and learning-

physical, social and emotional, and cognitive are
important, and they are closely interrelated.

2. Many aspects of children's learning and

development follow well documented sequences,
with later abilities, skills and knowledge building
on those already acquired.
3. Development and learning proceed a
varying rates from child to child, as well
as at uneven rates across different areas
of a child’s individual function.

4. Development and learning result from

a dynamic and continuous interaction of
biological maturation and experience.
5. Early Experiences
cumulative
Effects
delayed

Depends on development
child’s
learning

6. Development – greater complexity

- self regulation
- symbolic or representational capacities
7. Children develop best when:
●Secure
●Consistent relationships with adults
●Opportunities for positive relationships with
peer.

8. Develop and learning

influence by multiple social and cultural
contexts
9. Always mentally active in seeking to understand
the world around them, children learn in a variety
of way.

10. Play an important vehicle for developing self-

regulation.

11. Development and learning advances when

children are challenged to achieve at a level just
beyond their learning mastery.

12. Children experiences shape their motivation

and approaches to learning, such as persistence,
initiatives and flexibility.
THANK YOU!