A1.1-1.7 Physical development at each life stage GapFill

Growth and development are different concepts.  Growth refers to an increase in  developmentknowledgesizeintelligence; for example, children grow  tallerlighterluckierbigger and increase in weight as they get older.  This happens continuously until the individual is fully grown.  However, although it is  enormouscontinuousrealisticincreasing there are times when the pace of growth is faster than others.  When there is a period of growth, this is known as a growth  breakspurtsequencerate.  There is a difference in the growth of each  agepersonalityindividualgender and in the growth of different parts of the body.  The principle of growth is that growth is an increase in some measured quantity, such as  abilitiesheightcentimetresage, weight, or other body dimensions.

As well as growth, other changes occur as we mature.  Development refers to complex cognitive changes that lead to an increase in   personalityexperienceabilitiesknowledge.  Every individual is unique and develops at their own rate, but there are some key developmental milestones that infants typically go through. One important milestone is the development of  softdelicatefinegentle and  strongbigbroadgross motor skills. Gross motor skills involve the coordination of  smallheavylargeshort muscle groups, enabling infants to hold their  feetfingersshoulderhead up, crawl and walk. Fine motor skills involve  smallerlonglargerrandom muscle movements, allowing infants to perform tasks such as picking up items with their thumb and finger, a movement known as the  clasppincerpalmergripping grasp.