Understanding the stages of child development is very important as part of the parenting pattern. Along with the process of growth and development of children, they will face challenges emotionally or physically. Parents need to make sure their children grow and develop optimally.

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What is meant by growth and development?

Growth is an increase in the size and number of cells and intercellular tissue, physical size and body structure in part or in whole, so that it can be measured in units of length and weight. While development is an increase in the structure and function of the body which is more complex in the ability of gross motion, fine motion, speech, and language as well as socialization and independence.

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What needs to be assessed to see the child's development?

Frankenburg et al. suggested 4 developmental parameters used in assessing the development of children under five, namely:

1. Personal Social (personality/social behavior).
2. Fine Motor Adaptive (fine motor movement)
3. Language
4. Gross Motor (gross motor development)

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What affects a child's growth and development?

1. Basic genetic factors in achieving the final result of the child's growth and development process. Through the genetics contained in the fertilized egg, the quality and quantity of growth can be determined.
2. Environmental factors which are divided into two prenatal factors and post-natal factors.
a. Prenatal factors, environmental factors that affect fetal growth and development from conception to birth, include:
• Maternal nutrition during pregnancy
• Mechanical
• Toxins/chemicals
• Endocrine
• Radiation
• Infection
• Stress
• Immunity

b. Post-natal, environmental factors that affect the body and development of children after birth:
• Biological environmental factors
• Physical Factor
• Psychosocial Factors
• Family and cultural factors

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Author: dr yulia agustina (Pramita Clinical Laboratory Medical Consultant Doctor Jl. DI. Panjaitan No. 7-7A Kampung Kali, Semarang)