Question

Compare and contrast:

Growth and development

Answer 1

Development refers to a progressive series of changes that occur as a result of maturation and experience. It is the pattern of progressive, orderly, and predictable changes that begin at conception and continue throughout life. Development results from an interaction between maturation and exposure to training and environmental factors. It is all inclusive.
Growth refers to quantitative changes that are physical, observable, and measurable like an increase in size, weight, etc. It is a part of development.
Development involves the individual as a whole. It includes both quantitative and qualitative changes. It is always a continuous process. Growth refers to changes in particular aspects of the body i.e. changes in size or body proportion. Growth is not continuous as it generally stops at puberty. It need not involve progressive changes. Growth may or may not bring about development for e.g., the child may grow in terms of height, weight but not show any functional improvements.