Factors influencing growth and development are as follows:
1. Heredity: The genes of parents determine the blood group, height, contours and features, intelligence, traits, other mental behaviour, etc.
2. Environment: All the external conditions, such as family environment, pure water and air etc. leave a great impact on the physical and mental health of the child.
3. Food and nutrition: A balanced diet with proper dose of nutrients like proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals etc. is essential for proper growth of the child.
4. Diseases: Diseases retard the growth and development of the child.
5. Gender effect: Generally, male child is taller than the female child at the time of birth. The girl grows faster than the boys till the age of 10-11 years.
6. Recreations: Happiness, pleasures, love, recognition, laughter etc. lead to mental and physical development.
7. Physical ailments: Any sort of physical ailment retard mental, emotional and social faculties.
8. Accidents: Accidents during early childhood may have direct or indirect effect on development at later stages of life.
