Growth and Development Terminology

• Cephalocaudal: Head to toe direction in which development always proceeds; that is, child holds head up before sitting alone.
• Critical period (sensitive period): Time period during which child is ready for growth or development. Future growth and development may be jeopardized if opportunity for growth and development is denied during a critical period.
• Development: Progress in skill and complexity of functioning; a result of growth, maturation, and learning.
• Development milestones: Important skills associated with a particular age range; that is, sitting, crawling, and walking.
• Growth: Increase in size.
• Maturation: Physical qualitative changes determined by genetics and brought about by aging.
• Proximodistal: Center to outer direction in which development always proceeds.