Question

In what ways is child development largely stage like?

A) Continuous and gradual
B) Discontinuous and abrupt
C) Rapid and ongoing
D) Variable and unpredictable

Answer 1

Child development is largely stage-like, fitting best with the discontinuous and abrupt model, where development occurs in distinct stages and at specific ages.

Step-by-step explanation:

Child development is largely stage-like, which aligns best with option B) Discontinuous and abrupt. Stage theories suggest that children go through developmental milestones during distinct periods rather than continuous, gradual improvement. Development in stages is characterized by sudden changes, such as acquiring the ability to understand object permanence in infancy. While continuous development envisions growth as a smooth improvement of skills, discontinuous development views growth in specific stages that generally occur at certain ages, despite some variations due to cultural and environmental influences.