A1 - Physical development across the life stages Flashcards
Key features of growth and physical development at each life stage:
Birth and infancy (0-2): Infants grow rapidly, reaching approximately half their adult height by the time they're 2. At around 1 years old, infants can walk and y 2 they can run. Early childhood (3-8): Children continue to grow at a steady pace. They continue to develop strength and coordination. Adolescence (9-18): Adolescents experience growth spurts. They develop sexual characteristics during puberty. Early adulthood (19-45): Young adults reach the peak of their physical fitness. Middle adulthood (46-65): The ageing process begins with some loss of strength and stamina. Women go through menopause. Later adulthood (65+): The ageing process continues with gradual loss of mobility. Older adults will experience a loss of height of up to a few cm.
What is growth and development?
Growth = An increase in a measurable quantity, such as height, weight or other dimensions.
Development = Complex changes in skills and abilities that an individual experiences as they grow.
Principles of growth:
~ Height increase = weight increase.
~ Growth is continuous but the rate is not smooth.(periods of rapid growth in infancy and during puberty).
~Rates of growth vary in different parts of the body (head circumference quickest in first months - checks concerns with development).
~ 2 important dimensions to consider are weight and height/length.
~ Healthy newborns double their birth weight by 4-5 months, and triple it by the time they’re 1.
~ Health visitors monitor a child’s health and development - by checking milestones and patterns.
~ Between 1 and 2, infants grow (on av.) 12cm and gain 2.5kg.
~ If a child is growing as expected, their measurements should follow the centile lines marked on their growth chart.
Principles of development:
~ Head to toe - an infant will first have control of their head, then their body (to sit), then their legs and feet (to crawl and eventually walk).
~ Inside to outside - an infant controls movements of their body first, then their arms/legs and finally the small muscle in fingers.
~ In the same sequence at different rates.
~ Holistically - areas of development are dependent on/influence each other.
~ It’s a journey - the child meets milestones and development norms expected at particular ages - every child is unique and develops at their own rate.
~ 4 main areas of skill acquisition are PIES - i.e. physical development (gross and motor), intellectual development (and language skills), emotional development, and social development.
Physical development in infancy (0-2 years)
Development of gross motor skills
Gross motor skills = Large movements that involve using the large muscles of the body which are required for mobility (e,g. rolling over).
These skills allow children to control those body movements that require the use of large muscles in the arms, legs and torso. As soon as a baby is born, their gross motor skills begin to develop.
Development of fine motor skills
In contrast, fine motor skills are actions that require the use of smaller muscles in the hands, fingers and toes.
Development milestones
Newborn babies are helpless when it comes to muscle coordination and control. Developing both gross and fine motor skills allows complex and increasing movement. By 2, infants develop and use both gross and fine motor skills as they become more independent.
Gross motor skills developmental milestones in infancy
Newborn: Primitive reflexes such as grasp.
1 month: Lifts chin, some control of head.
3 months: Lifts 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 (walking while holding on to objects).
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 and a half: Jumps from a low step, kicks a ball.
Fine motor skills developmental milestones in infancy
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 and a half: Uses a spoon and fork, builds a tower of 7-8 blocks.
Physical development in early childhood (3-8 years)
Development of gross motor skills continues. By the age of 3, most children will be able to use pedals to ride a tricycle, run and balance on one foot for a second. By 4, children may be able to kick and throw a large ball. At 5, they can hop using each foot separately. By 6/7 a child may be able to skip and ride a bicycle. At 8 they will have good strength and body coordination so they can take part in many sports and activities.
Development of fine motor skills
By 3, children should be able to control their movements enough to use a pencil to copy letters or they can build a tower with cubes. By 5, most children should be able to dress/undress themselves, including tying their shoelaces. At 8, they’ll have good control of their small muscles and be able to draw detailed pictures.
Physical development in adolescence (9-18 years)
Development of primary and secondary sexual characteristic
Primary sexual characteristics (present at birth and develop during puberty) are:
Female: The uterus enlarges and the 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 sperm(atozoa) - beginning of ejaculation.
Secondary sexual characteristics (develop during puberty) are:
Female: Breasts develop and the areola 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 as well as facial hair, redistribution of muscle tissue and fat.
The role of hormones in sexual maturity
Sex hormones are responsible for the changes that occur in puberty. The pituitary gland controls the release of sex hormones in both girls and boys.The release of sex hormones controls the onset and rate of puberty, as well as the physical changes. It can prove to be a difficult time emotionally for young people as hormone levels fluctuate and cause mood swings.
The main female hormones are oestrogen and progesterone. The ovaries start to produce oestrogen and progesterone which are responsible for changes including ovulation and menstruation. The first period is significant as it indicates the onset of fertility.
The main male hormone is testosterone. The testes start to produce testosterone which stimulates sperm production, indicating the onset of fertility. Testosterone is also responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics (such as a deeper pitch and tone of voice).
Physical development in early adulthood (19-45 years)
Physical strength peaks and so does height, strength, reaction time and manual dexterity. After this age, adults gradually lose some strength and speed (unnoticed outside of competitive sport). Decline in physical capabilities is exacerbated at the end of this life stage if individuals have an unhealthy lifestyle (unhealthy diet, don’t exercise, smoking, etc).
Pregnancy and lactation are key phases in an adult female’s lifespan. During early pregnancy, women experience many physical and emotional changes in preparation for parenthood. Pregnancy hormones can cause mood swings and sickness suffered in early pregnancy (thanks to increased oestrogen). Other hormonal changes include an increase in progesterone which maintains the pregnancy, and hormones also affect the shape/appearance of their breasts - including darkened veins (due to increased blood supply), the nipples and areolas darken and breasts become more sensitive and tender, preparing the breasts to produce milk (lactation) to feed the baby.
Perimenopause
In a woman’s 40s less oestrogen is produced by her ovaries, this means an egg stops being produced every month. This stage is referred to as the perimenopause transition and it lasts until the menopause (on av. 4 years but can massively vary) which is the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. Perimenpause ends when a woman hasn’t had a monthly period for 12 months. The reduction in oestrogen causes physical and emotional symptoms: hot flushes and night sweats, breast tenderness, loss of libido (lower sex drive), fatigue, irregular.very heavy periods, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, mood swings, trouble sleeping, urine leakage when coughing/sneezing, and urinary urgency.
Physical development in middle adulthood (46-65 years)
The menopause
Women are most fertile in their late teens’early 20s and the risk of miscarriage/pregnancy complications increases as age does. Between 45-55 fertility reduces and then comes to an end in a process called the menopause, which can take several years to complete. The menopause involves:
~ Gradual ending of menstruation (or stopping having periods) and a large reduction of fertile eggs in the ovaries.
~ An increase in the production of hormones called gonadotropins that try to stimulate egg production - which can cause irritability, hot flushes and night sweats.
~ A reduction in the sex hormones produced by a women’s ovaries, resulting in some shrinkage of 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.
For some women, the general hormonal changes (especially the reduction in oestrogen) can lead to mood changes, depression and anxiety. This can make a woman feel that she is on an emotional roller coaster. Some women experience overwhelming sadness that they are no longer able to have children which can affect their self-image of being a ‘desirable’ woman. Self-esteem and self-image can become low, which may impact on self-confidence and on quality of life during this transitional stage of the lifespan.
Effects of the ageing process
Adults often put on weight as they age. ‘Middle aged spread’ may happen because adults still eat the same amount of food as they did when they were younger although they have become much less active and have a slower metabolism. Along with a change in body shape, as well as increased weight and waistline, loss of skin elasticity and loss of muscle tone and strength, people also begin to show other signs of ageing, such as greying and thinning of hair and hair loss.
Physical development in later adulthood (65+ years)
Predicting your life course become more difficult in the later life stages.
Deterioration of health
In later adulthood, there are many changes associated with the ageing process. For example, there are changes in body systems and organs which could be the result of disease and that can impact on an individual’s lifestyle. The heart becomes more susceptible to disease. Loss of height continues - by 80, individuals may have lost as much as 5cm in height - this is caused by changes in posture and compression of the spinal discs and joints. The ageing process also continues with further loss of strength and muscle loss, as well as a reduction in stamina. Mobility (gross motor skills) and dexterity (fine motor skills) become more difficult. There are small changes to the brain which include loss or shrinkage of nerve cells and a general slowing of movement and responses. Visual and hearing problems may interfere with daily life and older people are more susceptible to accidents/falls due to lack of muscular strength and problems with balance and reaction time. Older people can retain reasonable health, especially if they follow a lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and exercise. It can be a time when people take up new interests/hobbies that help keep them physically mobile and their mind active.
Deterioration of intellectual abilities
Diseases and conditions that can affect health and wellbeing, for example Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, are more common in older people.Diseases like Alzheimer’s have become more prevalent now that people are living longer. Mild cognitive impairment may be an early sign of the disease. Ageing can involve a loss of nerve cells in the brain and a reduction in the ability of nerves to transmit electrical signals. However, this doesn’t mean that people lose their ability to think logically or to reason as they have a wealth of experience to draw on. Older people’s memory may worsen, they may take longer to do things and feel like they are slowing down and reaction times slow, but older people often compensate for these changes (e.g. driving more carefully). Although older people may worry, changes are a natural process of ageing and not necessarily symptoms of dementia.
