Definition
Development is the process of creating growth, progress or positive change in a community or region. It includes physical, economic, environmental, social and demographic components.
Achieving development must be sustainable. It is a complex problem that requires a unified approach to meet multiple needs.
Sustainable development is the goal of ensuring a long-term improvement in human well-being, without damaging the environment or adversely impacting people’s health and well-being. It means addressing issues such as poverty, income inequality, and climate change to achieve lasting changes that will benefit the entire world.
It also means ensuring that those in need have access to social benefits, and their rights and dignity are respected. It also requires a political agenda that supports equitability, decentralisation, and strengthens indigenous traditions, institutions, and democratic processes.
The development of people is a continuous process.
Children, like adults, are undergoing cognitive and socio-emotional changes throughout their lifetimes. These changes are dependent on experiences and environmental factors.
The development of a child, especially the earliest stages, is dominated by sensory input from the outside world. During the later stages, children develop the ability to internalise and represent their environment through language, mental imagery, and other forms of knowledge.
Various developmental theories attempt to explain these changes. Some emphasize the role of genes and biology, while others focus more on environmental and learning experiences. It is important to remember that culture plays a vital role in determining which development features are culturally specific, and what aspects of cognitive and socio-emotional development are universal.