Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 1 Learning About Children 15 Every science works on certain principles—basic truths or assumptions. For example, in physics, one principle is: Every effect has a cause. Prin- ciples are generated through countless research studies over time. When the same results come up over and over again, a principle is noted. In child development, you know that each child is unique. Yet, through research observa- tions, you know there are basic patterns of growth and development called principles. These princi- ples are universal (apply to all children throughout all times), predictable (will occur in future obser- vations), and orderly (patterns are sequenced and will occur at approximate times). Why are principles of development impor- tant? When you make any decision about a child, taking into account these principles will aid devel- opment, but ignoring the principles will likely hinder development. Researchers and theorists use their existing knowledge about principles of growth and development as they develop new theories. Principles of Growth and Development Each person is unique, yet people are more alike than different. Experts study these likenesses to fi nd patterns in the way people generally grow and develop. These patterns, or principles of growth and development, do not fi t every per- son exactly. They are true enough to be used as a guide, however, when learning about children (Figure 1.6). The following sections describe key principles of growth and development. Growth and Development Are Constant Many aspects of a person’s growth and devel- opment are unchanging. This is called constancy. Traits that children possess today are a good hint—but not proof—of traits that will be present in the future. For example, tall two-year-olds tend to be tall adults. Children who are good students in elementary school are likely to be good students in high school. Happy, secure children tend to be cheerful, confi dent adults. Why is this so? There are two reasons for con- stancy in growth and development. First, new growth, knowledge, and skills are always built on those already acquired. One stage always prepares the way for the next, such as making sounds before speaking words. Second, people often live in the same environment for years. For major changes to take place in growth and devel- opment, major changes must take place in the environment. Growth and Development Are Gradual and Continuous Growth and development are, for the most part, gradual and continuous. A child does not grow or develop overnight. Consider a baby taking his or her fi rst steps on a certain date. Each day before walking, the baby grew, the body matured, and the baby practiced motor skills, such as crawl- ing and pulling to a stand. All these small changes lead to the baby’s fi rst steps (Figure 1.7). Figure 1.6 How do you think these principles of growth and development were determined? Why? Principles of Growth and Development occur at different rates progress in sequential steps are interrelated tend to be constant are gradual and continuous Growth and Development . . .