The following are the important characteristics of development-

1. Development is a continuous process

The process of growth and development continues from the moment of conception until the individual reaches maturity. It takes place at a slow but regular pace rather than by leaps and bounds. Development of both physical and mental traits continues gradually until these traits reach their maximum growth.

2. Development follows a pattern

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Development occurs in an orderly manner and follows a certain sequence. Thus, infancy, early childhood, later childhood, adolescence and maturity is the sequence of development in the human beings.

3. Development proceeds from general to specific responses.

The responses or the reactions of a child are of general nature to start with. He reacts to the situations and external stimuli with the whole of his body. Gradually, he learns to have specific responses. This is not only true of his physical responses only, but also of his intellectual and emotional responses. The responses of a child which are of general nature first, gradually become more and more specific. This is a sign of development and maturation.

4. Different aspects of growth develop at different rates

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Though development is a continuous process, yet the rate of growth is not uniform. Thus, there are periods of accelerated growth and pef decelerated growth. During the first three years of infancy, the rate of growth is rapid, then, the rate of growth slows down, which is again accelerated at the adolescent stage. Similarly, neither all parts e body grow at the same rate, nor do all aspects of mental growth progress equally. Thus, they reach maturity at different times.

5. Most traits are correlated in development

Generally, it has been obsed that the child, whose intellectual development is above average, is also superior in so many other aspects, e.g. health, sociability and special aptitudes. Similarly, this mental development is intimately related to his physical growth.

6. Development is a product of interaction of the organism and environment

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Neither heredity alone, nor the mere environment ponsible for the development of an individual. Both are responsible for human growth and development though, it is not possible to indicate exactly in what proportion heredity and environment contribute to the development of an individual.

7. There are wide individual differences in growth pattern

Individuals differ fromch other in their pattern and rate of growth. There is defie evidence to show that differences in physical structure are le marked than the differences in intellectual capacity. Similarly, it has een found out that personality differencesre far more marked tnither physical or intellectual differences. The individuaferences are caused by differences in hereditary endowment and envnment influences. This has also been established that dividual differences in rates of development remain constant. For ample, a child who is sw in learning iearly childhood will remain so throughout. A bright child will be so from his early childhood.

8. Growth is both quantitative and qualitative

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As the child grows physically, he also develops regarding the qualitative aspects of his personality. That means, as the child grows in age, his mental and emotional functions also develop. Thus these two aspects are inseparable.

9. Development is predictable

The rate of development of each child is fairly constant, that is, a slow learner will ever remain so, and a superior child is so from the very beginning. Thus, it is possible to predict at an early age the range within which the mature development of the child is likely to fall; though the prediction cannot be made accurately.

10. Development is affected by many factors

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Human growth and development is a very complex phenomenon. It is affected by a number of factors. These factors are intelligence, physical health, sex, nutrition, glands of internal secretion, position in the family, social status of the family and the general environment at different stages in varying degrees.