A1 - Physical development across the life stages.

Question 1

What are the key features of growth and physical development : Birth and Infancy

Answer 1

Age - 0-2 years

• Infants grow rapidly.
• 2 years - half their adult height.
• 1 year - able to walk.
• 2 years - able to run.

Question 2

What are the key features of growth and physical development : Early Childhood

Answer 2

Age - 3-8 years

• Continue to grow at steady pace.
• Continue to develop strength and coordination.

Question 3

What are the key features of growth and physical development : Adolescence

Answer 3

Age - 9-18 years

• Experience growth spurts.
• Develop sexual characteristics during puberty.

Question 4

What are the key features of growth and physical development : Early Adulthood

Answer 4

Age - 19-45 years

- Reach peak of physical fitness.

Question 5

What are the key features of growth and physical development : Middle Adulthood

Answer 5

Age - 46-65 years

• Ageing process begins with some loss of strength and stamina.
• Women go through menopause.

Question 6

What are the key features of growth and physical development : Later Adulthood

Answer 6

Age - 65 + years

• Ageing process continues.
• Gradual loss of mobility.
• Older adults would experience : loss of height (few cm).

Question 7

What is ‘Growth’?

Answer 7

Growth is : An increase in some measured quantity, such as height or weight.

Question 8

What is ‘Development’?

Answer 8

Development is : Complex changes including an increase in skills, abilities and capabilities.

Question 9

What are the principles of Growth?

Answer 9

• An increase in quantity.
• Growth is continuous, rate isn’t smooth - can be periods of more rapid growth.
• There can be a difference in growth rates of two people (due to puberty and growth in infancy.)
• Growth rates differ between girls and boys.
• Growth rates vary at different parts of the body e.g. circum of head grows more rapidly than any other body part.

Question 10

What are the principles of Development?

Answer 10

• From head - toe : infants will be able to control their head, then their body and finally over their legs / feet (in that order)
• From inside - outside : infants learn to control movements in their arms and legs then control small muscles in fingers etc.
• Same sequence but different rates.
• Holistically - areas of development are dependent on an influence each other.

Question 11

What are Gross motor skills?

Answer 11

Gross motor skills are : Large movements that involve using the large muscles of the body which are required for mobility e.g. rolling

Question 12

What are Fine motor skills?

Answer 12

Fine motor skills : Smaller movements that require more precise direction (dexterity) and use smaller muscles e.g. picking up a pencil.

Question 13

Infancy (0-2 years) - Development milestones :

Answer 13

• Newborns : Helpless when it comes to coordination and control.
• 2 Years old : Infants develop and use both gross and fine motor skills as they become independent.

Question 14

Infancy (0-2 years) -

Gross motor skills :

Answer 14

Gross motor skills :
Newborn - Primitive reflexes such as grasp.

1 Month - Lifts chin, some control of head.

3 Months - Can lift their head and chest when lying on front.

6 Months - Rolls over, can sit up for a short time without support, kicks legs when held up.

9-10 Months - Crawls, begins to cruise.

12-13 Months - Stands alone, can walk without help.

18 Months - Climbs onto furniture.

2 Years - Propels a sit-on toy with their feet, throws a large ball.

2.5 Years - Jumps from a low step, kicks a ball.

Question 15

Infancy (0-2 years) -

Fine motor skills :

Answer 15

Fine motor skills :
Newborn - Holds their thumbs tucked into their hands.

1 Month - Opens hands to grasp a finger.

3 Months - Can briefly grasp a rattle.

6 Months - Moves objects from hand to hand, can pick up dropped toys if they are in sight.

9-10 Months - Uses finger and thumb to hold a small object.

12-13 Months - Manipulates and places toys.

18 Months - Builds a short tower with blocks.

2 Years - Draws lines and circles, turns a page.

2.5 Years - Uses a spoon and fork, builds a tower of 7-8 blocks.

Question 16

Early Childhood (3-8 years) - Development of gross motor skills :

Answer 16

Gross motor skills :
- 3 years old : most children will be able to use pedals to ride a tricycle, run and balance on one foot for one second.

• 4 years old : children may be able to kick and throw a large ball.
• 5 years old : they can hop using each foot separately.
• 6/7 years old : may be able to skip or ride a bicycle.
• 8 years old : they will have good strength and body coordination so that they can take part in sports etc.

Question 17

Early Childhood (3-8 years) - Development of fine motor skills :

Answer 17

Fine motor skills :
- 3 years old : children should be able to control their movements enough to use a pencil to copy letters or build a tower with cubes.

• 5 years old : most children should be able to dress and undress themselves and tie their shoelaces.
• 8 years old : they will have good control of their small muscles and be able to draw detailed pictures.

Question 18

Adolescence (9-18 years) - Development of primary sexual characteristics :

Answer 18

Female :

• Uterus enlarges and vagina lengthens.
• The ovaries begin to release eggs.
• The menstrual cycle commences.

Male :

• Enlargement of penis and testes.
• Spontaneous erections caused by blood flowing into chambers in the penis may happen.
• The testicles begin to produce spermatozoa (sperm), beginning of ejacualtion.

Question 19

Adolescence (9-18 years) - Development of secondary sexual characteristics :

Answer 19

Female :

• Breasts develop and the areola (the area around the nipple) swells and darkens.
• Hair grows in armpits and pubic area.
• Redistribution of body fat causing hips to widen.

Male :

• Changes in larynx (Adam’s apple) causing voice to deepen.
• Hair grows in armpits and pubic area, facial hair.
• Redistribution of muscle tissue and fat.

Question 20

Adolescence (9-18 years) - Role of hormones in sexual maturity :

Answer 20

Female - Oestrogen and Progesterone

• Ovaries produce Oestrogen and Progesterone which are responsible for ovulation and menstruation.
• First period is significant, indicated onset of fertility.

Male - Testosterone

• Testes start to produce testosterone stimulating sperm production.
• Indicates onset of fertility.

Question 21

Early Adulthood (19-45 years) - Physical strength peaks :

Answer 21

Physical strength peaks -
- Reach peak of physical performance by 19-28 years of age.

• Reached their full height and strength, reaction time and manual dexterity are also at their peak.
• Exercise and a healthy diet can help to develop physical fitness and athletic skills into middle adulthood.

Question 22

Early Adulthood (19-45 years) - Pregnancy and lactation :

Answer 22

Pregnancy and lactation -
- Women may experience physical and emotional changes in preparation for parenthood - mood swings.

• Increase in progesterone which maintains pregnancy.
• Increase in oestrogen is responsible for sickness some suffer when pregnant.
• Effect shape and appearance of a woman’s breasts.

Question 23

Early Adulthood (19-45 years) - Perimenopause :

Answer 23

Perimenopause -
- Lasts until menopause (when ovaries stop releasing eggs) - lasts around 4 years.

• Reduction in oestrogen causes physical and emotional symptoms.

Question 24

Early Adulthood (19-45 years) - Perimenopause symptoms :

Answer 24

Symptoms :

• Hot flushes / night sweats
• Breast tenderness
• Loss of libido (low sex drive)
• Fatigue
• Irregular / heavy periods
• Vaginal dryness / discomfort during sex
• Mood swings
• Trouble sleeping
• Urine leakage when coughing / sneezing
• Urinary urgency

Question 25

Middle Adulthood (46-65 years) - Menopause :

Answer 25

Menopause :
- Risk of miscarriage / pregnancy complications rises with age.

• Involves :
• Gradual ending of menstruation / large reduction of fertile eggs in the ovaries.
• Increase in the production of hormones called gonadotropins that stimulate egg production, causing irritability, hot flushes and night sweats.
• Reduction in the sex hormones produced by the ovaries, resulting in shrinkage and sexual organs and sometimes a reduction in sexual interest.
• Associated problems such as osteoporosis, which can be caused by a reduction in the production of sex hormones.

Question 26

Middle Adulthood (46-65 years) - Effects of ageing process :

Answer 26

Effects of ageing process :
- Put on weight as they age, ‘middle aged spread’.

• Change in body shape : increased weight and waistline, loss of skin elasticity and loss of muscle tone and strength.

Question 27

Later Adulthood (65+ years) - Deterioration of health :

Answer 27

Deterioration of health :
- Changes in body system and organs which could be a result of disease and can impact on an individuals lifestyle.

• By 80 may have lost as much as 5 cm in height.
• Caused by changes in posture and compression of the spinal discs and joints.
• Loss of strength and muscle loss and reduction in stamina.
• Mobility and dexterity become more difficult - accident may occur.
• Visual and hearing problems may interfere in daily life.

Question 28

Later Adulthood (65+ years) - Deterioration of intellectual abilities :

Answer 28

Deterioration of intellectual abilities :

• Major depressive disorders tend to go undiagnosed.
• Alzheimer’s / Parkinson’s disease are common in older people.

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Question 29

What is ‘Cognitive impairment’?

Answer 29

Cognitive impairment :
When a person has trouble remembering, learning new skills, concentrating or making decisions that affect their everyday life.