Understanding Child Development

CYP Core 3.1. Understand child and young person development.

1.2 Explain the difference between sequence of development and rate of development and rate of development and why the difference is important.

Sequence of development: Children generally develop in broadly the same sequence there are exceptions however. Disabled children who have specific needs may develop differently. Also children may be gifted and talented, this is outlined by the government as follows:
Gifted and talented children have the ability to develop significantly ahead of their year group or with the potential to develop those abilities. They may have abilities in one more academic subjects, like maths and English. They may have practical skills in areas like sport, music, design or creative and performing arts. Decision-making and organising are also taken into account. All schools wil have a leading teacher for gifted and talented education.

Practitioners must have a good understanding of the child development rates. They should:

    • Carry put assessment and observation effectively. It is required for practitioners to make development comparisons between a child’s actual development stage and expected development rates.
    • Offer appropriate activities and experiences. This will be informed by observation and assessment of individual children.
    • Anticipate the next stage of a child’s development. This allows the practitioner to provide activities and experiences that will challenge interest children, stimulating their learning development.
    • Notice when children are not progressing as expected. Although children develop at different rates significant delays in one area or many delays in several area can be an indication that children need intervention and extra support.

2 Understand the factors that influence children and young people’s development and how these affect practice.

2.1 Explain how children and young people’s development is influenced by a...