Human Growth and Development

1. Human Growth and Development Life Stages

2. Basic Definitions • Growth=measurable physical changes that occur throughout a person’s life • Development=changes in intellectual, mental, emotional, social, and functional skills that occur over time • Life stages=stages of growth & development from birth to death

3. Types of Growth & Development • Physical=body growth (ht & wt changes, muscle & nerve development, & changes in body organs) • Mental or Cognitive=intellectual development (how to solve problems, make judgements, & deal with situations) • Emotional=feelings (dealing with love, hate, joy, fear, & excitement) • Social=interactions & relationships with others

4. 7 Life Stages • Infancy: birth to 1 year • Early childhood: 1-6 years • Late childhood: 6-12 years • Adolescence: 12-18 years • Early adulthood: 19-40 years • Middle adulthood: 40-65 years • Late adulthood: 65 years and older

5. Infancy- Physical Development Birth to 1 year • Most dramatic & rapid changes in growth & development occur during the 1st year of life • Newborns usually weigh 6-8 lbs and measure 18-22” • By end of 1st year, weight usually triples to 21-24 lbs

6. Infancy- Physical Development • Muscular & nervous systems are immature • Reflex actions allow infant to respond to the environment: • Moro (startle) reflex=response to a loud noise or sudden movement • Rooting reflex=slight touch on a cheek causes the mouth to open & head to turn • Sucking reflex=caused by a slight touch on the lips • Grasp reflex=grasp an object placed in the hand

7. Infancy- Physical Development Milestones: • 2-4 months=roll from side to back, support themselves on their forearms when prone, & grasp or try to reach objects • 4-6 months=turn the body completely around, accept objects handed to them, grasp stationary objects such as bottle, hold head up while sitting • 6-8 months=sit unsupported, grasp moving objects, transfer objects from one hand to the other, crawl on the stomach

8. Infancy- Physical Development Milestones: • 8-10 months=crawl using hands & knees, pull to sitting/standing, good hand-mouth coordination • 12 months=walk, grasp objects with thumb & fingers, throw small objects, have10-12 teeth, good color vision

9. Infancy-Mental Development • Respond to discomforts such as pain, cold, or hunger by crying • As their needs are met, they gradually become more aware of their surroundings & begin to recognize individuals associated with their care • 2-4 months=coo or babble, laugh out loud, squeal with pleasure • 6 months=understand some words & can make basic sounds such as “mama” & “dada” • 12 months=understand many words & use single words in their vocabularies

10. Infancy-Emotional Development • Newborns show excitement • 4-6 months=distress, delight, anger, disgust, & fear • 12 months=elation & affection for adults • Events that occur in 1st year of life when these emotions are first exhibited can have a strong influence on an person’s emotional behavior during adulthood

11. Infancy-Social Development • Progresses gradually from the self-centeredness concept of the newborn to the recognition of others in the environment • 4 months=recognize caregivers, smiles, stares intently at others • 6 months=watch activities of others, shows signs of possessiveness, may become shy/withdrawn in presence of strangers • 12 months=shy with strangers, socialize freely with familiar people, mimic & imitate gestures, facial expressions, & vocal sounds

12. Infancy-Needs • Dependent on others for all needs • Food, cleanliness, & rest essential for physical growth • Love & security essential for emotional & social growth • Stimulation essential for mental growth (2:52) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m40xvVNdmBs

13. Early Childhood-Physical Development 1-6 years of age • Muscle coordination allows child to run, climb, & move freely • As muscles of fingers develop, child learns how to write, draw, & use fork/knife • 2-3 years=most teeth have erupted • 2-4 years=learn bladder/bowel control

14. Early Childhood-Mental Development • 2 year olds have short attention spans but are interested in many activities and can remember details & begin to understand concepts • 4 year olds ask frequent questions & usually recognize letters & some words; begin to make decisions based on logic rather than on trial & error • By age 6, they are very verbal with vocab of 1,500-2,500 words & want to read & write; memory has developed to where they can make decisions on both past & present experiences

15. Early Childhood-Emotional Development • 1-2 years=begin to develop self-awareness, recognize the effect they have on other people & things; will accept or defy limits • 2 years=like routine & can become angry when changes occur; enthusiastic about learning but can have temper tantrums when frustrated • 4-6 years=gain more control over emotions; understand concept of right/wrong • 6 years=have learned to deal with new situations with less anxiety

16. Early Childhood-Social Development • Expands from self-centered 1 year old to sociable 6 year old • In early years, children are usually strongly attached to their caregivers & fear any separation • Playing alongside other children is more common than playing with other children • Gradually children learn to put “self” aside & begin to take more of an interest in others • By age 6 become more agreeable & social; friends of their own age become important

17. Early Childhood-Needs • Need routine, order, and consistency in their daily lives • Must be taught to be responsible & must learn how to conform to rules • (5:28) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0TGczdbiV4&list=PLclrI5ngOIYvJcqpXdWYaF8_FZB2SXaM-

18. Late Childhood-Physical Development 6-12 years of age • AKA preadolescence • Muscle coordination is well developed • Can engage in physical activities that require complex motor-sensory coordination • Most primary teeth are lost, permanent teeth erupt • During ages 10-12 secondary sexual characteristics develop

19. Late Childhood-Mental Development • Life centers around school • Speech skills develop more completely; reading & writing skills are learned • Learn to use info to solve problems; memory becomes more complex • Begin to understand abstract concepts: loyalty, honesty, values, morals • Use active thinking & become more adept at making judgements

20. Late Childhood-Emotional Development • At age 6, children are often frightened & uncertain as they begin school • Reassuring parents & success in school helps children gain self-confidence • Gradually, fears are replaced by the ability to cope • By ages10-12 sexual maturation & changes in body functions can lead to depression followed by period of joy • Emotional changes can cause children to be restless, anxious, & difficult to understand

21. Late Childhood-Social Development • Progresses from liking activities they can do by themselves and not liking group activities to being more group oriented • Typically forms groups with members of their own sex • More ready to accept the opinions of others and learn to conform to rules & standards of behavior followed by the group • Towards the end of this period, they tend to make friends more easily & begin to develop an increasing awareness of the opposite sex • Dependency on their parents lessens as does the time they spend with their parents

22. Late Childhood-Needs • Need for reassurance, parental approval, and peer acceptance • (1:59) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sduO4Ne5hRM

23. Adolescence-Physical Development 12-18 years of age • Physical changes occur most dramatically in the early period • Muscle coordination is slower than growth leading to awkwardness or clumsiness • Puberty=development of sexual organs & secondary sexual characteristics • Onset of menstruation in girls; production of sperm & semen in boys • Secondary sexual characteristics in females=pubic hair, breasts, wider hips, distribution of fat leading to female shape • Secondary sexual characteristics in males=pubic, facial, & body hair; deeper voice, more muscle mass & broader shoulders

24. Adolescence-Mental Development • Increase in knowledge & sharpening of skills • Learn to make decisions & to accept responsibility for their actions • Conflicts occur because they are treated as both children & adults-being told to “grow up” while being reminded that they are “still children”

25. Adolescence-Emotional Development • Often stormy & in conflict • Try to establish their identities & independence, but are often uncertain & feel inadequate & insecure • Worry about appearance, abilities, & relationships with others • Respond more to peer group influences • Self-identity has been established by end of this period & they feel more comfortable with themselves gaining more control of their feelings & becoming more emotionally mature

26. Adolescence-Social Development • Spending less time with family & more time with peer groups • Seek security in groups of people their own age who have similar problems & conflicts • If these peer relationships help develop self-confidence through the approval of others, they become more secure & satisfied

27. Adolescence-Needs • Need reassurance, support, & understanding • Many problems that develop during this stage can be traced to the conflict & feelings of inadequacy & insecurity that they experience • Anorexia nervosa=(anorexia) psychological disorder in which a person drastically reduces food intake or refuses to eat at all. • Anorexia can cause metabolic disorders, excessive weight loss, weakness, & death if not treated

28. Adolescence-Needs • Bulimia=psychological disorder in which a person alternately binges (eats excessively) & then fasts, or refuses to eat at all • Bulimarexia=person induces vomiting or uses laxatives to get rid of food that has been eaten • All of these are more common in females than males • Psychological or psychiatric help is usually needed to treat these conditions

29. Adolescence-Needs • Chemical abuse=use of substances such as alcohol or drugs & development of a physical and/or mental dependence on them • Can occur at any life stage but frequently starts in adolescence • Suicide=one of the leading causes of death in adolescents due to their impulsive nature • Permanent solution to a temporary problem

30. Adolescence-Needs Most individuals who are thinking of suicide give warning signs such as: Neglect of personal hygiene Alcohol/drug abuse Losing interest in hobbies/other aspects of life Preoccupation with death Injuring one’s body Giving away possessions • Verbal statements “I’d rather be dead” • Sudden changes in appetite & sleep habits • Withdrawal, depression, moodiness • Excessive fatigue or agitation (4:55) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eiGZI39ASc

31. Early Adulthood-Physical Development 19-40 years old • Most productive life stage • Physical development is basically complete • Muscles are developed & strong, motor coordination is at its peak • Prime childbearing years

32. Early Adulthood-Mental Development • Deals with independence • Makes career choices • Establishes a lifestyle • Selects a marital partner • Starts a family • Establishes values

33. Early Adulthood-Emotional Development • Find satisfaction in achievements • Take responsibility for their actions • Learn to accept criticism • Profit from mistakes

34. Early Adulthood-Social Development • Moving away from peer group • Associates with others who have similar ambitions & interests, regardless of age • Finds a mate and forms a family • (2:21) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5OyiJm5m4s

35. Middle Adulthood-Physical Development 40-65 years old • AKA middle age • Hair tends to gray and thin • Skin begins to wrinkle, muscle tone decreases • Hearing loss starts, visual acuity declines, weight gain occurs • Menopause=end of menstruation • Male climacteric=slowing of male hormone production

36. Middle Adulthood-Mental Development • Mental ability continues to increase during middle age • Individuals have acquired an understanding of life & learned to cope with many different stresses • Confident decision makers • Excel at analyzing situations

37. Middle Adulthood-Emotional Development • Period of contentment and satisfaction or a time of crisis • Emotional foundation of previous life stages & the situations that occur during middle age determine emotional status during this period • Job stability, financial success, end of child rearing, & good health can all contribute to emotional satisfaction • Stress, created by job loss, fear of aging, loss of youth & vitality, illness, marital problems, or problems with children/aging parents, can contribute to emotional feelings of depression, insecurity, anxiety, and even anger

38. Middle Adulthood-Social Development • Family relationships often see a decline as children begin lives of their own & parents die • Work relationships frequently replace gamily • Relationships between husband/wife can become stronger as they have more time together & enjoy success • Divorce rates are also high as couples who have remained together for their children now separate • (3:08) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JXELEMoLa0

39. Late Adulthood-Physical Development 65 years and older AKA elderly, senior citizen, golden ager, retired citizen Physical development is on the decline and includes: Hearing loss, decreased visual acuity, decreased tolerance for temperatures that are too hot/cold Memory loss Breathing capacity decreases & causes SOB Changes usually occur slowly over a long period & many people don’t show physical changes until 70’s or 80’s • Skin becomes dry, wrinkled, & thinner w/ brown (age) spots • Hair becomes thin & loses its luster or shine • Bones become brittle & porous and are more likely to break • Cartilage between vertebrae thins & can lead to stooping • Muscles lose tone and strength

40. Late Adulthood-Mental Development • Short-term memory is usually first to decline • Alzheimer’s disease=irreversible loss of memory, deterioration of intellectual functions, speech & gait disturbances, and disorientation • Arteriosclerosis=thickening & hardening of artery walls that can cause decrease of blood to brain and a decrease in mental abilities

41. Late Adulthood-Emotional Development • Some cope well with stresses of aging & remain happy & able to enjoy life • Others become lonely, frustrated, withdrawn, & depressed • Retirement, death of a spouse & friends, physical disabilities, financial problems, loss of independence, & knowledge that life must end can cause emotional distress

42. Late Adulthood-Social Development • Retirement can lead to loss of self-esteem • Death of a spouse/friends & moving to a new environment can cause changes in relationships

43. Late Adulthood-Needs • Sense of belonging, self-esteem, financial security, social acceptance, & love • (5:04) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-orns9nO4k