What is the principle that indicates that development proceeds from general to specific?

The principle that signifies development moving from general to specific is best captured by developmental sequence. This concept describes how children often begin mastering skills and concepts in a broad, generalized manner before honing in on more specific and detailed abilities as they grow. For instance, a child may first recognize all animals before being able to identify and differentiate between specific species. This understanding aligns with the natural progression of learning and development, where foundational skills create the necessary groundwork for more advanced, specialized knowledge and abilities later on.

Other terms, such as developmental continuity, focus on the ongoing nature of development over time rather than the specific transition from general to specific. Developmental rate pertains to how quickly an individual develops and can vary widely among children, while developmental progression generally refers to the overall advancement in skills without emphasizing the general-to-specific aspect. Thus, the selection of developmental sequence reflects the principle you’re examining effectively.