What is one fundamental idea encompassed in the principle of development being continuous?

The principle of development being continuous highlights the notion that children's growth involves an ongoing process where new skills and abilities are built upon those they have previously acquired. This continuous development suggests that as children progress, their learning and skill acquisition do not occur in isolation; rather, each new skill is interconnected with their earlier experiences and capabilities.

For instance, a child learning to walk relies on their earlier developments in muscle strength and coordination that were established while crawling. Therefore, recognizing that children build on prior skills supports a holistic view of their growth, emphasizing the importance of foundational experiences leading to more complex abilities.

This understanding also reflects real-world observations of child development, where skills typically accumulate rather than appear suddenly or out of context. It reinforces the idea that early experiences play a crucial role in shaping future capacities and learning opportunities.