{"formatVersion":"1.1","id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous","path":"/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous","title":"Child Development Stages vs. Continuous Development","family":"Library detail","description":"Learn about child development theories, including continuous and staged development, and how children acquire new skills at different stages of their lives.","language":"en-US","access":{"audience":"custom-shared-preview","indexable":true},"provenance":{"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous","wordpressId":"4588","contentCompleteness":"complete","dateScope":"original-source"},"authors":[],"dates":{"datePublished":"2024-05-31T23:31:31Z","dateModified":"2025-09-08T11:03:39Z"},"content":{"html":"<nav class=\"breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><ol><li><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/\">Home</a></li><li><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library\">Library</a></li><li><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/lifespan-development\">Lifespan Development</a></li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">Child Development Stages vs. Continuous Development</span></li></ol></nav><div class=\"article-page article-standard\" data-library-standard><div class=\"article-main-grid\"><header class=\"article-heading\"><h1>Child Development Stages vs. Continuous Development</h1><div class=\"article-dates\"><span>Published on <time datetime=\"2024-05-31T23:31:31Z\">May 31, 2024</time></span><span aria-hidden=\"true\"> · </span><span>Updated on <time datetime=\"2025-09-08T11:03:39Z\">September 8, 2025</time></span></div></header><div class=\"article-jumpbar\"></div><div class=\"article-layout\"><div class=\"article-reading\"><article class=\"prose\" id=\"article-content\"><p>Different theorists have come to different conclusions concerning how exactly children develop across the various developmental channels. Some theorists believe that children develop smoothly and continuously, but other theorists believe that children develop more discretely in a series of stages, each of which is fairly stable. </p><figure class=\"article-feature\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/optimized/ea45c97016018397fbccd4c2.webp\" alt=\"A family shares a cheerful close embrace at home.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"633\" loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\"></figure><section class=\"article-takeaways\" aria-labelledby=\"key-takeaways\"><h2 id=\"key-takeaways\">Key takeaways</h2><ul><li>Continuous-development theories describe children gradually accumulating skills and knowledge over time.</li><li>Stage theories organize development into distinct periods marked by recognizable changes in abilities or behavior.</li><li>Continuous change and developmental stages can offer complementary perspectives on the same growth process.</li></ul></section><h2 data-editorial-heading=\"\" id=\"continuous-development\">Continuous development</h2><p>Theorists who believe children grow continuously believe that kids constantly add new lessons and skills on top of old lessons and skills as they get older. They believe that children grow at a steady, uniform speed. Even though parents can't see it with their eyes, children are growing all the time right in front of them. Their bodies make new cells. Their minds learn new skills as they play and interact with other people every day.</p><h2 data-editorial-heading=\"\" id=\"development-in-stages\">Development in stages</h2><p>On the other hand, theorists who believe children grow discontinuously believe children grow in stages as they seem to develop chunks of abilities and to experience events at certain times in life. To some parents, it may seem that their children learn to do things all of the sudden, like when a baby goes from only being able to crawl to being able to toddle around on two feet almost over night. Or, parents of young teenagers may say that they were amazed how their children went from thinking that kids of the opposite sex had \"cooties\" to constantly daydreaming about them. It seems as if these kids are growing lots in spurts at special times and then are not growing so fast for a while in between the spurts.</p><h2 data-editorial-heading=\"\" id=\"how-the-two-perspectives-fit-together\">How the two perspectives fit together</h2><p>Both camps, continuous development and staged development, are correct in its own way, of course. While it is true that development is a continuous process that never stops, it is also true that there are stages to growth and that developments unfold at predictable times across the life span. The real difference between the two camps is likely the degree of magnification that each applies to its study, with the stage theorists taking a more distant but broader stance and the continuous theorists viewing things from up close.</p><p>This document and the following documents in this series will present child development as though it happens in stages. By thinking about stages, child development can be summarized in general groupings that can be more easily understood.</p></article><div class=\"article-endmatter\"><section class=\"article-about article-panel\"><h2 id=\"about-mentalhealth-com\">About MentalHealth.com</h2><p>MentalHealth.com helps people understand themselves, build healthier relationships, and access the right care. We bring together mental health education, diagnostics, and care management to support well-being throughout every phase of life.</p><div class=\"article-contributors\"></div></section><section class=\"article-medical article-panel article-pending\" role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Pending medical review\"><h2 id=\"medical-review-status\">Pending Medical Review</h2><p>We take mental health content seriously and follow industry-leading guidelines to ensure our users access the highest quality information. All editorial decisions for published content are made by the MentalHealth.com Editorial Team, with guidance from our Clinical Affairs Team.</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/publishing/editorial-policy\">Our medical review process</a></section><section class=\"article-expert article-expert-mobile\" aria-label=\"Subject matter expert\" data-expert-kind=\"related\"><p class=\"article-bio-role\">Subject matter expert</p><div class=\"article-expert-identity\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/optimized/af4ecdb78008ac81cd3aa271.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><h2><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/holly-schiff\">Holly Schiff <span class=\"expert-credentials\">Psy.D.</span></a></h2></div><p class=\"article-expert-focus\">Children, adolescents, and families</p><a class=\"profile-experience-link experience-button\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/holly-schiff\">View experience</a></section><section class=\"article-topic-community article-topic-community-mobile\" aria-label=\"Related communities\"><img class=\"topic-community-banner\" src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/optimized/aed067348fad97b16c048a3a.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><p class=\"topic-community-label\">Related community</p><h2>Lifespan Development</h2><p>Explore growth, transitions, and mental health through the different stages of life.</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/community/lifespan-development\">Explore community</a></section></div></div><aside class=\"article-sidebar\" tabindex=\"0\" data-bounded-rail=\"\" aria-label=\"Article navigation and related information\"><details class=\"article-contents\" open data-section-preview=\"3\" data-expanded=\"false\" data-scrolled-past=\"false\"><summary><strong>Table of contents</strong><span aria-hidden=\"true\"></span><small data-current-section=\"\">Choose a section</small></summary><nav aria-label=\"Article contents\"><ol id=\"article-section-list\"><li><a href=\"#continuous-development\" title=\"Continuous development\" aria-label=\"Continuous development\">Continuous development</a></li><li><a href=\"#development-in-stages\" title=\"Development in stages\" aria-label=\"Development in stages\">Development in stages</a></li><li><a href=\"#how-the-two-perspectives-fit-together\" title=\"How the two perspectives fit together\" aria-label=\"How the two perspectives fit together\">How the two perspectives fit together</a></li></ol><button type=\"button\" class=\"article-sections-toggle\" data-sections-toggle aria-controls=\"article-section-list\" aria-expanded=\"false\">View more</button></nav></details><section class=\"article-expert\" aria-label=\"Subject matter expert\" data-expert-kind=\"related\"><p class=\"article-bio-role\">Subject matter expert</p><div class=\"article-expert-identity\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/optimized/af4ecdb78008ac81cd3aa271.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><h2><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/holly-schiff\">Holly Schiff <span class=\"expert-credentials\">Psy.D.</span></a></h2></div><p class=\"article-expert-focus\">Children, adolescents, and families</p><a class=\"profile-experience-link experience-button\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/holly-schiff\">View experience</a></section><section class=\"article-topic-community\" aria-label=\"Related communities\"><img class=\"topic-community-banner\" src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/optimized/aed067348fad97b16c048a3a.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><p class=\"topic-community-label\">Related community</p><h2>Lifespan Development</h2><p>Explore growth, transitions, and mental health through the different stages of life.</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/community/lifespan-development\">Explore community</a></section></aside></div></div></div>","text":"HomeLibraryLifespan DevelopmentChild Development Stages vs. Continuous DevelopmentChild Development Stages vs. Continuous DevelopmentPublished on May 31, 2024 · Updated on September 8, 2025Different theorists have come to different conclusions concerning how exactly children develop across the various developmental channels. Some theorists believe that children develop smoothly and continuously, but other theorists believe that children develop more discretely in a series of stages, each of which is fairly stable. Key takeawaysContinuous-development theories describe children gradually accumulating skills and knowledge over time.Stage theories organize development into distinct periods marked by recognizable changes in abilities or behavior.Continuous change and developmental stages can offer complementary perspectives on the same growth process.Continuous developmentTheorists who believe children grow continuously believe that kids constantly add new lessons and skills on top of old lessons and skills as they get older. They believe that children grow at a steady, uniform speed. Even though parents can't see it with their eyes, children are growing all the time right in front of them. Their bodies make new cells. Their minds learn new skills as they play and interact with other people every day.Development in stagesOn the other hand, theorists who believe children grow discontinuously believe children grow in stages as they seem to develop chunks of abilities and to experience events at certain times in life. To some parents, it may seem that their children learn to do things all of the sudden, like when a baby goes from only being able to crawl to being able to toddle around on two feet almost over night. Or, parents of young teenagers may say that they were amazed how their children went from thinking that kids of the opposite sex had \"cooties\" to constantly daydreaming about them. It seems as if these kids are growing lots in spurts at special times and then are not growing so fast for a while in between the spurts.How the two perspectives fit togetherBoth camps, continuous development and staged development, are correct in its own way, of course. While it is true that development is a continuous process that never stops, it is also true that there are stages to growth and that developments unfold at predictable times across the life span. The real difference between the two camps is likely the degree of magnification that each applies to its study, with the stage theorists taking a more distant but broader stance and the continuous theorists viewing things from up close.This document and the following documents in this series will present child development as though it happens in stages. By thinking about stages, child development can be summarized in general groupings that can be more easily understood.About MentalHealth.comMentalHealth.com helps people understand themselves, build healthier relationships, and access the right care. We bring together mental health education, diagnostics, and care management to support well-being throughout every phase of life.Pending Medical ReviewWe take mental health content seriously and follow industry-leading guidelines to ensure our users access the highest quality information. All editorial decisions for published content are made by the MentalHealth.com Editorial Team, with guidance from our Clinical Affairs Team.Our medical review processSubject matter expertHolly Schiff Psy.D.Children, adolescents, and familiesView experienceRelated communitiesLifespan DevelopmentExplore growth, transitions, and mental health through the different stages of life.Explore communityTable of contentsChoose a sectionContinuous developmentDevelopment in stagesHow the two perspectives fit togetherView moreSubject matter expertHolly Schiff Psy.D.Children, adolescents, and familiesView experienceRelated communitiesLifespan DevelopmentExplore growth, transitions, and mental health through the different stages of life.Explore community","wordCount":572},"schema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/#organization","name":"MentalHealth.com","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/#website","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/","name":"MentalHealth.com","inLanguage":"en-US","publisher":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/#organization"}},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Library","item":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Lifespan Development","item":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/lifespan-development"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Child Development Stages vs. Continuous Development","item":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous"}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#primaryimage","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/optimized/ea45c97016018397fbccd4c2.webp","contentUrl":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/optimized/ea45c97016018397fbccd4c2.webp","width":1200,"height":633,"encodingFormat":"image/webp","caption":"A family shares a cheerful close embrace at home."},{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#article","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous","headline":"Child Development Stages vs. Continuous Development","description":"Learn about child development theories, including continuous and staged development, and how children acquire new skills at different stages of their lives.","wordCount":430,"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#webpage"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/#organization"},"articleSection":"Library","inLanguage":"en-US","datePublished":"2024-05-31T23:31:31Z","dateModified":"2025-09-08T11:03:39Z","image":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#primaryimage"}},{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#webpage","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous","name":"Child Development Stages vs. Continuous Development","description":"Learn about child development theories, including continuous and staged development, and how children acquire new skills at different stages of their lives.","inLanguage":"en-US","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/#website"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#article"},"relatedLink":["https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/television-violence","https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/urie-bronfenbrenner-and-child-development","https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/sigmund-freud-and-child-development","https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/understanding-moral-development","https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/adolescent-development","https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/holly-schiff"],"publisher":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/#organization"},"medicalAudience":{"@type":"MedicalAudience","audienceType":"General public"},"datePublished":"2024-05-31T23:31:31Z","dateModified":"2025-09-08T11:03:39Z","primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#primaryimage"}}]},"representations":{"html":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous","json":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/data/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous.json","jsonLd":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/data/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous.ld.json"},"$schema":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/data/page.schema.json","images":[{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/optimized/ea45c97016018397fbccd4c2.webp","alt":"A family shares a cheerful close embrace at home.","width":1200,"height":633},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/optimized/af4ecdb78008ac81cd3aa271.jpg","alt":"","width":64,"height":64},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/optimized/aed067348fad97b16c048a3a.webp","alt":"","width":48,"height":48}],"sections":[{"id":"key-takeaways","title":"Key takeaways","level":2,"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#key-takeaways"},{"id":"continuous-development","title":"Continuous development","level":2,"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#continuous-development"},{"id":"development-in-stages","title":"Development in stages","level":2,"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#development-in-stages"},{"id":"how-the-two-perspectives-fit-together","title":"How the two perspectives fit together","level":2,"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#how-the-two-perspectives-fit-together"},{"id":"about-mentalhealth-com","title":"About MentalHealth.com","level":2,"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#about-mentalhealth-com"},{"id":"medical-review-status","title":"Pending Medical Review","level":2,"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#medical-review-status"}],"references":[],"relatedReading":[],"links":[{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/","label":"Home"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library","label":"Library"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/lifespan-development","label":"Lifespan Development"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/publishing/editorial-policy","label":"Our medical review process"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/holly-schiff","label":"Holly Schiff Psy.D."},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/holly-schiff","label":"View experience"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/community/lifespan-development","label":"Explore community"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#continuous-development","label":"Continuous development"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#development-in-stages","label":"Development in stages"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous#how-the-two-perspectives-fit-together","label":"How the two perspectives fit together"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/holly-schiff","label":"Holly Schiff Psy.D."},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/holly-schiff","label":"View experience"},{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/community/lifespan-development","label":"Explore community"}],"seo":{"title":"Child Development Stages vs. Continuous | MentalHealth.com","description":"Learn about child development theories, including continuous and staged development, and how children acquire new skills at different stages of their lives.","canonical":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous","robots":"index,follow","socialImage":{"url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/optimized/ec9b0cb47c0207d45e88634d.png","width":1200,"height":630,"alt":"MentalHealth.com — Library","type":"image/png","sitemapGroup":"library"}},"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/"},{"name":"Library","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library"},{"name":"Lifespan Development","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/lifespan-development"},{"name":"Child Development Stages vs. Continuous Development","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/child-development-stages-vs-continuous"}],"subjectMatterExpert":{"name":"Holly Schiff, Psy.D.","url":"/people/holly-schiff","profileId":"11457","topic":"children","focus":"Children, adolescents, and families","selectionBasis":"Documented expertise in the existing published profile","reviewAttribution":false},"keyTakeaways":["Continuous-development theories describe children gradually accumulating skills and knowledge over time.","Stage theories organize development into distinct periods marked by recognizable changes in abilities or behavior.","Continuous change and developmental stages can offer complementary perspectives on the same growth process."],"navigation":[{"label":"Continuous development","href":"#continuous-development","heading":"Continuous development"},{"label":"Development in stages","href":"#development-in-stages","heading":"Development in stages"},{"label":"How the two perspectives fit together","href":"#how-the-two-perspectives-fit-together","heading":"How the two perspectives fit together"}],"relatedCommunity":{"community":"/community/lifespan-development","basis":"topic match"},"reviewer":null,"introduction":null,"collections":[]}