What is the difference between the terms “critical” and “sensitive” when used to describe growth and development?
If you read the literature, often these words are used interchangeably, and there is no one authoritative source. To me, the term critical period refers to a time during which certain experiences absolutely must occur if development is to proceed normally. Sensitive period refers to a time when the child is especially receptive to certain kinds of environmental experiences and it is the ideal time to provide them, but the parameters for when they must be provided are broader. Q: What is meant by the term “window of opportunity,” and what are its implications for early childhood development? A: Just as with critical and sensitive periods, there is no one agreed-upon definition for window of opportunity. If you think of these words along a continuum, critical period is the strictest in its meaning. Window of opportunity is probably the loosest. To me, a window of opportunity refers to a time when certain experiences ought to be provided for any child so that learning and development can
