Human Growth and Development Unit 1

Key Terms

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Growth

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An increase in size or mass Development

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When a person’s skills, abilities and emotions become more sophisticated

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There are 4 types of development

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Physical

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Intellectual

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Emotional

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Social

Life Stages

Can you identify the PIES?

Infancy (0-2 years)

Physical Split into gross and fine motor skills. Gross are movements of the larger limbs of the body (e.g. walking and crawling). Fine are the ability to grasp and manipulate objects (e.g. painting and tying shoelaces).

Intellectual Smiles and noises are used to communicate with carer, they cry when hungry. Explore the world through senses. Words are learned at age 1. By 18 months they know 6 words and by 2 put 2-3 words together. Emotional Babies bond with their primary caregiver (normally their parents) – this is called an attachment, and normally occurs between 7 and 12 months. Babies are wary of strangers. It is important to show babies love and affection. Infants cry when uncomfortable and coo when happy.

Social Attachment relationships are important for children to develop, this acts as a model for later adult relationships. Other relationships include parents, siblings, grandparents etc. A lot of learning comes through play, this starts solo and then sharing begins.

Early childhood (3-8 years)

Physical Gross and fine motor skills develop greatly. By age 8 many activities are now independent (e.g. throwing and catching a ball and a good sense of balance). Hand-eye coordination is also developed at this stage. A growth spurt occurs and a child loses their baby body shape.

Intellectual At the beginning of childhood a child will ask lots of questions about the world they live in. Children start school in this stage, and can speak in full sentences. They can think of objects that are not in front of them, this helps them to learn numbers, letters and colours. Children watch others to see how to behave or act. Emotional Children learn how to handle their feelings as well as sharing and cooperation. This leads to playing together in team games. Children can now tell others when they feel happy or sad. It is important to nurture a child, showing them love and affection.

Social Children widen their social group and form friendships with others; but often get temper tantrums if they do not get their own way. As they begin to cooperate with others they make more friends and by the age of 8 most children have a ‘best friend’. Children might start being a little more independent and perform tasks for themselves during this stage.

Adolescence (9-18 years)

Physical The main physical changes in adolescence are puberty. Hormones cause a growth spurt and there are lots of physical changes during this stage. Primary sexual characteristics are the gender you are born as, and secondary sexual characteristics are shown in this image: Intellectual Learning and developing new skills including abstract and creative thinking occur in this stage. Abstract thinking means to think about concepts and ideas with objects (e.g. equations). Creative thinking occurs when trying to think about new ideas (e.g. in art).

Emotional Self image and self esteem are effected in adolescence. Self image is the way you view yourself; this could be influenced by bullying (negative) or the opposite sex and compliments (positive). Self esteem is the level of confidence that you have. Mood swings are common due to hormones. Your sexuality develops in this stage.

Social Friendship and friendship groupings are important in this stage. You socialise more, and develop freedom from your parents. You develop independence (for examples you perform tasks and activities for yourself, you may enter employment, or learn to drive). Peer pressure might lead to experimentation with smoking, drugs or alcohol).

Early adulthood (19-45 years)

Physical Physical maturity occurs when the individual reaches their physical peak. You are physically your strongest and fastest at this life stage. Towards the end of the life stage capabilities decrease and some women may go through menopause. Metabolic rate slows and weight is gained.

Intellectual Problem solving is achieved through work and employment. Abstract thinking is used everyday. The adult’s memory is fast and can think quickly. Training and education leads to good jobs and new knowledge is gained rapidly.

Emotional Emotions are now under control. Adults are emotionally mature and have more self control and self-awareness. Marriage, divorce and parenting are common life events. There is also the sad loss of parents. Having children allows the close bonds to continue and gives pleasure for the adult.

Social Adults have a free and active social life. They make new friends and build new relationships. Responsibilities are gained (e.g. job, mortgage, children). Balancing work and home life can be difficult.

Middle adulthood (45-65 years)

Physical Adults can experience hair loss/greying, slower movement, reduced stamina and muscle power, reduced hand-eye coordination, reduced eyesight/hearing, and loss of skin elasticity (wrinkles). Women will go through menopause (low oestrogen leads to no eggs being produced). Men also produce less testosterone and live sperm decrease.

Intellectual People may return to study/education. Work may also lead to retraining. Adults may experience a loss of memory as they age.

Emotional Hormone level changes can lead to changes of feelings or emotions. This can sometimes lead to individuals wanting to recapture their youth and behaving like they did in early adulthood (a ‘mid-life crisis’). Loss of parents or divorce can also affect emotions.

Social The adult will try to achieve a position in society. They may also experience ‘empty nest syndrome’ as children leave home, loss of parents of retirement from work – these will all affect social relationships. But now they have more time on their hands and more money so can extend their social life.

Later adulthood (65+ years)

Physical Aging is clear to see at this stage – skin is thinner, joints are stiff, muscles are weaker and bones are more brittle. They are less mobile and may begin to stoop and lose height due to lost muscle tone. There is also hair loss, greying hair, and sensory loss. Although this sounds very negative many older adults are still active and join gyms or exercise classes.

Intellectual Speed of thinking and short-term memory can decline in old age, but most elderly are keen to develop knowledge and keep the mind active. As there is more leisure time the elderly may learn a new language or take up a new hobby. Some older adults may experience dementia (memory loss) Emotional There is now more time to spend with family and friends, especially grandchildren. This leads to feelings of happiness and contentment. Challenges at this stage are the deaths of a life partner or friends; this is very distressing. Support is important at this stage.

Social After retirement (age 65-75) the adult may be constantly active and doing lots. After 75 the elderly often slow down and their social life becomes different. Loss of friends due to retirement, death or ill health can make social relationships difficult.