Age Characteristics

Almost all theorists support the idea that development is not identical for everyone.

1. People develop at different rates: As a future teachers, through our varied experiences working with children, most of us have come to realize that we can work with a group of children who are all the same age yet at very different developmental stages. This is considered normal and to be expected within group of children; “some students will be larger, better coordinated, or more mature in their thinking and social relationships” (28).
2. Development is relatively orderly: While people develop abilities at different rates than others, theorists agree that there is a logical order or progression to development. For example, some infants “sit before they walk, [and] babble before they talk” (28). Similarly, some students in a classroom will understand certain concepts better or before other students.
3. Development takes place gradually: “Very rarely do changes appear overnight” (28). Students who are learning their ABCs or who are learning how to throw a baseball will not learn the skill immediately. Instead, most abilities are learned over time.

For more information on the developmental brain by age, visit 

Source of Image: http://www.apa.org/education/k12/brain-function.aspx#