lifespan stages

Question 1

human lifespan

Answer 1

the human lifespan can be broken into different stages, although different cultures and societies have different ways of defining the stages.
* the human lifespan starts at conception and ends at death.

Question 2

prenatal stage

Answer 2

• Involves fertilization, forming a complete cell, a zygote.
• Continues until birth, characterized by body organ and structure development and substantial growth.
• Unborn baby transitions from a single cell to over 200 billion cells at birth, weighing around 3.5 kg.
• Process takes 38 weeks, making it the fastest growth period of all human lifespan stages.
• Vulnerable to the prenatal stage and birth process.

Question 3

infancy stage

Answer 3

• Infancy traditionally began at birth, but is now considered to end with the onset of speech.
• Infancy is a period of rapid growth with numerous changes.
• By age two, infants have developed motor skills, including walking, using simple words, identifying familiar people, playing social games, and expressing frustration.

Question 4

developmental milestones

Answer 4

Developmental milestones: a significant skill or event occurring in a person’s life (e.g. learning to walk, getting a job or having children)

Many of thedevelopmental milestonesthat the infant achieves will have some sort of bearing on how they develop in later years

Question 5

childhood stage

Answer 5

• Defined as ending at onset of puberty.
• 12th birthday signifies end of childhood, often coincides with primary school completion.
• Childhood stage is divided into early childhood and late childhood.
• Significant development occurs in childhood.

Question 6

childhood stage : early childhood

Answer 6

• Starts at infancy and continues until sixth birthday 6th
• Characterized by slow growth and skill accomplishment.
• Learns social skills for interaction.
• Makes friends, eats with adults, and becomes toilet trained

Question 7

childhood stage : late childhood

Answer 7

• Starts at 6th birthday and ends at 12th.
• Characterized by slow, steady growth.
• Includes physical, social, emotional, and intellectual changes.
• Refines reading, writing, long-term memory, gender stereotypes, and motor skills.

Question 8

youth stage

Answer 8

• Assumed to start at 12 years and continue until 18, with secondary school years as a marker.
• Characterized by rapid growth, increased independence, and sexual maturity.
• Physical changes are required for sexual maturity and reproduction.
• Social, emotional, and intellectual changes occur as youth adjust to independence, complex relationships, and life goals.
• The end of youth is marked by maturity across physical, social, emotional, and intellectual aspects.

Question 9

early adulthood stage

Answer 9

• Starts on 18th birthday and ends on 40th.
• Physical peak occurs around 25-30, followed by a steady decline.
• Growth may continue at the beginning, but all stages are maintenance and repair periods.
• Focuses on career building, choosing a life partner, getting married, or having children.
• Leads to physical, social, emotional, and intellectual changes.

Question 10

middle adulthood stage

Answer 10

• Starts at 40 and continues until 65.
• Characteristics include work and relationship stability, identity development, financial security, physical aging signs, and menopause.
• Children may gain independence, providing parents with new freedom.
• Can lead to ‘empty nest syndrome’, a sense of loss or loneliness.
• Many experience the joy of becoming grandparents, although this can occur in late adulthood.

Question 11

late adulthood stage

Answer 11

• Final stage of lifespan from 65 until death.
• Characterized by lifestyle changes due to retirement and financial security.
• Includes increased voluntary work and leisure activities.
• May involve grief from death of friends or spouses.
• Living arrangements may change, presenting challenges and opportunities for health and wellbeing.
• Reflection on lives and achievements may provide satisfaction or regret.