A baby first reaches clumsily for a toy, then learns to scoop it up with his whole hand. Later both hands begin to work together. Growth and development influence each other. The growth of the child is not a random process but is one that follows recognizable patterns that are similar from one child to another. The rate of development between two children may be very different but the patterns of development will be similar.
Child development is a continuous process from conception through adolescence.
The age at which children develop certain specific skills in motor activity, language, and in social and emotional growth, varies from one child to another. Each child grows uniquely. Children's growth and development will be continuous, though not constant. There will be spurts in growth. Children often go through a change of behaviour or mood just before they learn something new.