What best describes the process of development in children?

The process of development in children is best described as continuous and involves the gradual acquisition of new skills over time. This perspective recognizes that development is not a series of sudden changes or sporadic events but rather a steady progression where children build upon their existing abilities.

As they grow, children are not only learning new skills but also refining and mastering those they have already acquired. For example, language development starts with babbling, transitions to single words, and eventually leads to forming complex sentences. This continuous, cumulative approach allows children to develop a wide array of skills, cognitive abilities, and emotional responses as they interact with their environment and engage with others.

In contrast, some views might suggest that development is solely dependent on genetics or occurs only in early childhood, which overlooks the ongoing nature of learning and skill acquisition that continues into adolescence and beyond. Recognizing the continuum of development helps in understanding that children undergo various phases and that each stage builds on the last, paving the way for future growth.