The sequence and rate of a child’s development is the order and speed that they achieve certain milestones. These milestones are measured in different ways and continually observed as the child grows. The sequence that children develop is predominately the same, for example the child needs to be able to sit before they can stand. The rate they reach the milestone may differ from another child, for example, one child might stand at 6 months but another may not achieve this until 9 months.
These aspects of development are normally referred to on a timeline and broken down into the age group the milestone is achieved. Below are examples of timelines that show the sequence of development for various ages in the following aspects:- Physical development Intellectual/ cognitive development Language and communication development Social and emotional development
Age Physical
Development Intellectual/ cognitive Language and Communication Social and Emotional
0 – 6 months Uses reflex movements to grasp objects
Holds head up and roll over Simple
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Each area of development follows a specific pattern, for example a baby will need to learn to hold their head up before they can sit unaided. A child’s development will usually follow the same sequence as most children. Although the rate they progress may differ due to children growing at different speeds. Children may accomplish a milestone earlier in one area of development than another child, for example, talking, but this child may then take more time to reach physical milestones. The rate of development is how quick these milestones are reached, but they will differ from child to child as one child may crawl at 6 months and another may not crawl at