A1- Physical Development Across Life stages

Question 1

What happens at infancy?

Answer 1

Infancy 0-2 Sitting up, crawling, standing, cruising,
walking,
Physically - grow taller, able to crawl, walk, run, reflexes
Gross Motor Skills – control of large muscles in the body to enable you to do activities such as
running, walking, hopscotch, skipping, riding a bike, swimming, climbing etc. Fine Motor Skills –
allows you to control and co-ordinate your hands & fingers such as gripping, manipulation or hand-eye
co-ordination to do activities such as painting, musical instruments etc

Question 2

What happens at early childhood?

Answer 2

Early childhood 3-8
fine motor skills, writing etc., dressing
oneself
Physically -grow taller, able to run, skip, hop, jump, improved coordination. Fine Motor Skills –such
as painting, writing, drawing, colouring, cutting with scissors, jigsaws, feeding, musical instruments,
doing up buttons etc.

Question 3

What happens at adolescence?

Answer 3

adolesce
nce
9-18 Puberty, emotional changes, mood
swings, Growth spurts (periods of
fast growth), development of primary
and secondary sexual characteristics.
the role of hormones in sexual maturity
Female – Primary (present at birth)– - Uterus and vagina
grow, ovulation and menstrual periods start. Secondary
(appear during puberty)– pubic hair grows, hips broaden,
breasts develop, gain weight, acne/spots develop
Male – Primary Penis enlarges, prostate
gland produces secretions, testes enlarge
and produce sperm. Secondary - grow
taller, voice breaks, pubic hair grows,
shoulders broaden, acne/spots develop

Question 4

What happens at early adulthood?

Answer 4

Early
adulthood
19-45 Reached physical peak Reached physical maturity (Reached full height and Maximum physical fitness). pregnancy and
lactation occur perimenopause – oestrogen levels decrease, causing the ovaries to stop producing an
egg each month. The reduction in oestrogen causes physical and emotional symptoms, to include hot
flushes, night sweats, mood swings, loss of libido and vaginal dryness

Question 5

What happens at middle adulthood?

Answer 5

Middle
adulthood
46-65 skin less supple, less active,
menopause (45-55 years)
causes and effects of female menopause and the role of hormones in this effects of the ageing
process in middle adulthood. Menopause - periods stop, hot sweats, tiredness, mood swings
(emotional not physical change!) Formal support (professional e.g. GP)- can prescribe HRT
(hormone replacement therapy)

Question 6

What happens at later adulthood?

Answer 6

Later
adulthood
65 + retirement, health or mobility problems Ageing Process (loss of strength and muscle tone) Skin loses elasticity, Hearing, eyesight, taste
deteriorates, May get smaller (Height is reduced as the vertebrae in the spine get closer) Organs are
less efficient, Breathing is less efficient because muscles around the lungs are weaker, Bones become
more brittle and more likely to break, particularly in women less active/mobile. NB: Grey hair is NOT
an answer