What do you mean by 'Development' in child's growth?

Correct definition: Development in a child's growth refers to qualitative changes — changes in the child's abilities, behaviour, organization and level of functioning.

• Qualitative change: Development means new skills and higher complexity (for example, learning to speak, solving problems, showing social understanding, emotional regulation and refined motor coordination).

• Progressive and directional: Development moves from simple to more complex and integrated functions.

• Contrast with growth: Growth is quantitative (measurable increases such as height, weight or head circumference). Development is about quality — what the child can do and how behaviours change.

• Examples: Learning to form sentences, solving age-appropriate problems, developing self-care routines, and improving social interactions are all developmental (qualitative) changes.

Summary: The statement that development is a qualitative change while a child is growing is correct because it captures changes in function, complexity and new abilities rather than mere numerical increases.