Fundamental Question 2: Life stages across the Life Span and key aspects of growth and development across an individuals life

Question 1

Life Stages Across The Life Span

Answer 1

Infancy
Childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
Later Adulthood

Question 2

Physical Development:

Answer 2

Body growth, gross and fine motor skills, Development, Strength, Puberty, Menopause, Features and Signs of ageing.

Question 3

Intellectual development

Answer 3

Language skills, Mental Capacity and Memory Development, How children learn including through play, problem solving and moral development.

Question 4

Emotional Development

Answer 4

Bonding attachment, self esteem, self confidence, development of feelings, attachments and independence.

Question 5

Social development

Answer 5

Social skills/ Social isolation, Social play, Interactions and Roles.

Question 6

INFANCY Physical Development

Answer 6

Development of fine motor skills, The development of gross motor skills, Completion of milestones set for development of an infant- Sitting up, Standing, Crawling, Walking.

Question 7

Infancy INTELLECTUAL development

Answer 7

Piaget’s stage of development – e.g., sensorimotor stage​

Language development​

Question 8

Infancy EMOTIONIAL development

Answer 8

Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and critical period​

Stages of play and independence

Question 9

Infancy SOCIAL development

Question 10

Sensorimotor stage

Answer 10

Children begin to explore the world through their senses and through movement. Children at this stage haven’t developed object permanence. ​

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They learn that objects covered over by a blanket do not disappear.

Question 11

PHYSICAL development during

Answer 11

Physical​

Gross and fine motor skills​

Important to know expected milestones such as turning page of a book, buttons and unbuttons clothing, write their own name, join up handwriting.

Question 12

INTELLECTUAL development during CHILDHOOD

Answer 12

Piaget’s pre-operational and concreate operational stage ​

the role of neurons ​

language development

Question 13

EMOTIONALLY/SOCIAL development during CHILDHOOD

Answer 13

Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and critical period​

Self-concept, self-esteem/self-confidence development.​

Stages of play and independence

Question 14

Gross motor skills

Answer 14

large movements that involve using large muscles of the body which are required for mobility, for example rolling over.

Question 15

Fine motor skills

Answer 15

are smaller movements that require precise direction and use smaller muscles, for example picking up a pencil.

Question 16

Intellectual and cognitive development in childhood​

Answer 16

Memory starts improving – being able to bring in a previous thought – knowledge or experience. Starts to develop independence, e.g. remembering when and how to wash hands.​

Problem solving and reasoning – knowledge on how things work, e.g., how to use IPAD - Piaget’s concreate operational stage.​

Concentration – concentration develops throughout childhood – being able to focus on a particular task for longer.​

Language – development of language increases throughout childhood – see next page.

Question 17

Emotional development during CHILDHOOD

Answer 17

Self-concept – this is a way in which indiduals evaluates themselves (e.g., how children see themselves) are shaped by adults and others who influence an individuals life.

Self-esteem – this is the opinion an individual has of themselves – a crucial factor here is the parenting styles!​

Self-confidence – a child’s trust in their own ability to be themselves and make decisions.

Question 18

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT DURING ADOLESCENCE

Answer 18

Puberty including knowing the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics​

The role of hormones in sexual maturity, e.g., testosterone in boys and oestrogen and progesterone in girls

Question 19

Intellectual development during ADOLESCENCE

Answer 19

Would be at Piaget’s formal operational stage – and become more advanced stage. ​

Koklberg’s moral development ​

The role of GCSE’S and A-levels

Question 20

EMOTION/SOCIAL development during ADOLENSCENCE

Answer 20

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Emotionally/Socially ​

First intimate relationships​

Development of feelings and relationships​

The role of peers in emotional development​

Autonomy and Independence ​

Starting employment

Question 21

Primary Charactsicts and Sexual charactsicts

Answer 21

Primary sexual characteristics are present at birth and develop during puberty whereas secondary sexual characteristics develop during puberty.

Question 22

Primary sexual characteristics Female

Answer 22

The uterus enlarges and the vagina lengthens.​
The ovaries begin to release eggs.​
The menstrual cycle commences​

Question 23

Primary sexual charactics Male

Answer 23

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 ejaculation. ​

Question 24

Signs of puberty

Answer 24

Public hair will also start to appear​

It is usual for girls to put on weight on their hips and thighs and their waist will become narrower as their body shapes changes​

Both girls and boys can develop mood swings during this time as their hormones level fluctuate ​

Skin problems can develop such as acne - due to active sweat glands​

For boys their penis and testicles will have grown, and hair will appear under the arms and faces​

For boys their testicles become red and swollen​

For boys they will experience a growth spurt and their voices will deepen (ADAM’S APPLE!) ​

Sweating more due to apocrine glands starting during puberty. ​

Growth spurts – boys get taller and girls get breasts.

Question 25

Puberty

Answer 25

Puberty – when a child’s body begins to develop and change as they become adults. This is when sexual maturity becomes evident – this can lead to physical and emotional changes that are completely natural but sometimes had to deal with.

Question 26

Physical development in early adulthood (20-40 years)

Answer 26

During the early adulthood stage, an individual reaches physical maturity. This is known as maturation:​

adults have reached their peak level of physical strength and their full height and weight by this time​

hand-eye coordination is at its best​

individuals have grown to full height​

maximum physical strength and stamina have been reached​

women are at their most fertile​

Towards the end of the life stage, signs of ageing start to appear:​

changes in skin and vision​

physical capabilities start to diminish​

fertility levels fall​

metabolic rate slows down and an individual burns less calories which leads to weight gain

Question 27

Intellectual development in early adulthood (20-40 years)

Answer 27

Individuals are at the peak of their intellectual ability.​
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Intellectual development continues - abstract thought, creative thinking and problem-solving are needed when taking on new jobs, hobbies and further learning.​
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Wisdom develops through the benefit of experience. ​
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Learning continues:​
Some young adults continue in education to achieve qualifications and improve career prospects.​
Many jobs also require continuing professional development in order to acquire up-to-date skills and knowledge.​
Some individuals return to education to achieve their full potential.

Question 28

Emotional development in early adulthood (20-40 years)

Answer 28

Close intimate and sexual relationships become firmly established for many.​

Some individuals choose to cohabit, marry or go through a civil ceremony. ​
Steady relationships give a sense of security and allow for the giving and receiving of love.​

Some live alone, either by choice or because of a relationship breakdown.​

Many individuals choose to start a family. ​
Parenthood and bonding with children can give a sense of purpose and gives life added meaning. ​
Pleasure can also be gained from spending time with children and watching them grow.​

Becoming a parent can also bring added responsibilities.​
Identity becomes clearer and more established.

Question 29

Social development in early adulthood (20-40 years)

Answer 29

Individuals are free and have an active social life.​

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Social life and friendships are often focused on working life and colleagues.​

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As individuals progress through early adulthood, they often:​

• have a closer circle of friends than in adolescence​
• have a less hectic social life due to parenthood responsibilities.​

They may struggle to balance work life, family life and social life development in early adulthood (20-40 years).

Question 30

Physical development in middle adulthood (40-65 years)

Answer 30

The ageing process speeds up.​
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Muscular strength decreases. ​
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Decline in vision, hearing and immune-system functioning.​
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Energy levels feel lower and people may fatigue more quickly as stamina decreases. ​
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Body shape might change with an increase in weight because metabolism continues to slow down.​
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Skin begins to lose its elasticity and so wrinkles appear. ​
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Hair loses its pigment and so appears greyer, some men lose their hair and become bald.​
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Most women go through the menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. It can take several years. They produce less oestrogen and the menstrual cycle stops and the sexual organs shrink. Symptoms include hot flushes and night sweats. ​
Men produce less testosterone and live sperm production decreases.

Question 31

Intellectual development in middle adulthood (40-65 years)

Answer 31

An individual is still at the peak of their intellectual ability.​

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Many adults return to education and study due to a desire to take a new direction in life or through the need to get new qualifications/re-train. This provides new opportunities for learning.​

Memory is still generally good, although it becomes slower, making it more difficult to store and recall information.

Question 32

Emotional development in middle adulthood (40-65 years)

Answer 32

Changing levels of hormones cause changing feelings and emotions. This leads many people to review their lives.​

There may be realisation that an individual is no longer young and they may have a growing awareness of their own mortality.​

Some try to recapture their youth through behaving in ways similar to those in early adulthood. They may dress younger and go out more. They may also try new things. ​

This behaviour is often referred to as a ‘mid-life crisis’ – a dramatic period of self-doubt caused by the passing of youth and the move into later adulthood.​
Some parents may have may feelings of grief and loneliness when their children leave home for the first time, (to live on their own or to attend a college or university, for example) which is referred to as ‘empty nest syndrome’, whereas others may feel that they have regained their independence.​
Many individuals have grandchildren and experience love and pleasure from spending time with them.​
Grief will probably be experienced during this stage as individuals lose their own parents, older members of their family and friends.

Question 33

Perimenopause/Menopause​

Answer 33

“The ending of female fertility, including the cessation of menstruation and reduction in production of female sex hormones”

Question 34

Perimenopause

Answer 34

Often referred to as the perimenopause transition.

Oestrogen levels decrease. ​

On average can last up to four years, however can vary. ​

Perimenopause ends when a woman had not had a monthly period for 12 months.

Question 35

Physical changes in later adulthood

Answer 35

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Changes in body systems and organs which could be the result of disease. ​

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The heart becomes more susceptible to disease.​

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Individuals begin to lose height. ​

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Gross motor skills and fine motor skills become more difficult. ​

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Small changes to the brain which include loss or shrinkage of nerve cells and a general slowing of movement and responses. ​
Hearing and visual
problems. ​

Older people more likely to have accidents and falls due to lack of muscular strength and problems with balance or reaction time.

Question 36

Physical development in later adulthood (65+ years)​

Answer 36

The ageing process continues: muscle size, and therefore strength, decreases. ​
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Bone density is reduced and so bones become brittle and more prone to fractures. ​
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Skin continues to lose its elasticity and become thinner; as a result, wrinkles become more pronounced.​
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Chronic health conditions may be experienced, e.g. cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, incontinence, dementia/strokes.​
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Individuals may become increasingly become less mobile and dexterity also becomes more difficult.

Question 37

Intellectual development in later adulthood (65+ years)

Answer 37

Memory becomes less efficient, making it more difficult to store and recall information, though cognitive skills may be maintained.​
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The speed of thinking slows down, reducing decision-making capacities.​
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Many older individuals are keen to keep their minds active, develop their knowledge and learn new things. They often enjoy activities such as reading, problem-solving and keeping up with the news. ​
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Additional leisure time allows older individuals to take up new interests, such as learning a new language or travelling.

Question 38

Emotional development in later adulthood (65+ years)

Answer 38

Individuals in later adulthood may enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.​
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They may have time to reflect upon their lives and feel proud of their achievements.​
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There is more time to spend with others (less work and family commitments), and closer friendships and relationships can be developed. This can lead to feelings of happiness and contentment. ​
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The death of life-partners and friends can be distressing and hard to cope with; feelings of grief, anxiety and insecurity are common.​
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Individuals can feel lonely and isolated and may have to rely on others for support. Some individuals may feel that they are losing their independence as they become reliant on the support of others (role reversal).

Question 39

Social development in later adulthood (65+ years)

Answer 39

During the early stage of later adulthood, individuals are often very active and have a busy social life with family and friends. ​
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As individuals move through this stage, the pace of life slows down; they may remain socially active although their type of social life may be different. ​
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Individuals may lose contact with friends, though, as they become less mobile and/or develop chronic health conditions and have to spend more time at home and are less able to take part in activities.

Question 40

Physical changes in later adulthood that individuals may face:

Answer 40

bones may become more fragile and prominent​

potential decline in vision may need glasses ​

possible hearing loss/need hearing aid​

increased risk of age-related conditions, incontinence ​

decreased tolerance to heat/cold ​

decreased circulation ​

declining heart function linking to increased risk of cardio-vascular disease ​

loss of teeth / may need false teeth leading to changes in food choices ​

decreased vision/may need glasses ​

possible hearing loss/may need a hearing aid ​

possible memory loss ​

decreased ability to taste and smell ​

decreased tolerance to pain ​

decreased oil in skin ​

decreased perspiration ​

increased wrinkles ​

loss of fat layers on limbs and face ​

bones may become weaker and may develop osteoporosis become more prominent ​

increase in possibility of changes to blood pressure- high or low ​

development of cataracts is common. ​

changes in weight