LO1. Understand the expected pattern of development for children and young People from birth – 19 years
1.2 Explain the difference between sequence of and rate of development and why This is important
Sequence means that there is a definite pattern to a child developing e.g. a toddler being able to walk before they can run. Rate means the speed in which a child develops. The child develops when they achieve this by sequencing it enables us to plan effectively and at the right time. When recording the rate of development it helps us to identify any concerns that we may have within the development area, this enables you to further investigate why this is happening. The difference is important because speed does not necessarily have to do with the sequence also it’s important to recognize the difference so we can identify where children need help or at risk.
Physical development follows a definite sequence an example of this would be that a baby would have to first learn how to hold his/her own head up before they would be able to sit with just lower back supported. While the sequences are common amongst most children what often changes is the rate in which they develop the skills. It is important to monitor a child’s sequence and rate of development in order for us to determine the kind of help he/she will need and of whom they will need to be referred too. From the birth of a child to the moment the child starts to talk, the child will go through different stages of development and at different rates. At first a baby will start to learn simple reflexes by exploring new objects through the means of touching and seeing, over an average period of six weeks.
At the end of the six weeks, or sooner or later depending on the baby (this is an example of rate of development), the baby’s hands will automatically grab whatever it is place in hand, due to the palm reflex. Once the simple reflexes have been developed the baby will go into another stage of development where it develops primary circular reactions, and after once it has accomplished it over a certain period, it will move on to yet another stage of development and so on. This is an example of sequence of development as most babies will follow a similar pattern of development, and these stages are known as sequences.
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