Children’s growth is a phased process, with each stage showing unique characteristics. This process follows specific universal rules:
Firstly, children’s development manifests an unbalanced trait. Various tissues and organs in the body do not develop at the same speed or start and stop simultaneously. For example, the brain approaches adult weight around 7 to 8 years old, with rapid development followed by a slowdown; whereas the lymphatic system develops rapidly first and then slows down. Fat is more developed in infancy, while muscle development accelerates before school age. This imbalance is reflected in the timing and speed of the development of different body systems.
Secondly, development follows a certain sequential pattern, from top to bottom, from near to far, from coarse to fine, from low to high, and from simple to complex processes. The development of motor skills is a typical example: infants first learn to raise their heads, then sequentially master lifting their chest, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking. The head develops first during fetal and infant period, resulting in a relatively larger head in newborns. As age increases, other parts of the body catch up, and limbs gradually lengthen, forming the normal change in head-to-body ratio.
Furthermore, the entire developmental cycle of a child is continuous and uninterrupted, with development speed fluctuating. Generally, physical development is more rapid at a younger age, especially in the first six months after birth, particularly the first three months, followed by a slowdown. For example, average height increases by about 25 centimeters in the first year, then decreases to around 12 to 13 centimeters in the second year, and approximately 5 to 6 centimeters per year before adolescence. During adolescence, there is a significant acceleration in height growth, with girls increasing by up to 9 centimeters per year, totaling about 25 centimeters throughout adolescence; boys may grow by 10.3 centimeters per year, with a total growth of around 28 centimeters during adolescence. This is the fundamental framework of children’s development rules.
For parents, closely monitoring their children’s growth process, physical health status, and their unique development rhythm is crucial. This helps in promptly detecting any abnormal signs and ensuring healthy growth for the child. Parents’ continuous attention and timely intervention are the most valuable support during a child’s growth journey.
