Principles of the development of children

Principles of Development
Although each child is unique, the
basic patterns, or principles, of growth and
development are universal, predictable, and
orderly. Through careful observation and
interaction with children, researchers and
those who work with children understand the
characteristics of the principles that follow.
􀁶􀀀 Development tends to proceed from
the head downward. This is called the
cephalocaudal principle. According to
this principle, the child first gains control
of the head, then the arms, then the legs.
Infants gain control of head and face
movements within the first two months
after birth. In the next few months, they
are able to lift themselves up using their
arms. By 6 to 12 months of age, infants
start to gain leg control and may be able
to crawl, stand, or walk.
􀁶􀀀 Development also proceeds from the
center of the body outward according to
the proximodistal principle. Accordingly,
the spinal cord develops before other parts
of the body. The child’s arms develop
before the hands, and the hands and
feet develop before the fingers and toes.
Fingers and toes are the last to develop.
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