Physical Development

Question 1

What does growth mean?

Answer 1

Growth is variable across different parts of the body and is measured using height, weight and head dimensions.

Question 2

What does development mean?

Answer 2

Development follows an orderly sequence and is the

acquisition of skills and abilities, measured using physical, intellectual, emotional and social achievements.

Question 3

What age group is included in Infancy?

Answer 3

Age group 0-2 years

Question 4

What age group is included in Early childhood?

Answer 4

Age group 3-8 years

Question 5

What age group is included in Adolescent?

Answer 5

Age group 9-18 years

Question 6

What age group is included in Early adulthood?

Answer 6

Age group 19-45 years

Question 7

What age group is included in Middle adulthood?

Answer 7

Age group 46-65 years

Question 8

What age group is included in Later adulthood?

Answer 8

Age group 65+ years

Question 9

Can you provide examples of gross motor skills in early childhood?

Answer 9

Riding a tricycle, running forwards and backwards, walking on a line, hopping on one
foot, hops, skips and jumps confidently.

Question 10

Can you provide examples of fine motor skills in early childhood?

Answer 10

Turns pages of a book, buttons and unbuttons clothing, writes own name, joins up writing.

Question 11

What happens during puberty?

Answer 11

Development of primary and secondary sex characteristics, change in hormone levels for sexual maturity and ready body for reproduction. Examples include voice deepens, hair growth on face, under arms, groin and chest, hips widen as waist develops, chest increases in size e.g. breasts, growth of sexual organs e.g. penis, testicles, uterus and vagina with acne.

Question 12

What is Perimenopause?

Answer 12

Begins several years before menopause. It’s the time when the ovaries gradually begin to make less estrogen. It usually starts in a woman’s 40s. Symptoms include night sweats, hot flushes, mood swings, irregular periods, loss of libido and vaginal dryness.

Question 13

What is Menopause?

Answer 13

Oestrogen levels decreased to very low levels, causing the ovaries to stop producing an egg each month (no periods for over 12 months). The reduction in oestrogen causes physical and emotional symptoms, to include hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, loss of libido and vaginal dryness.

Question 14

What is the difference between fine and gross motor skills?

Answer 14

Gross motor skills involve legs, arms and body to bring about movement, whereas fine motor skills use the hands, feet and sense to make precise movements.

Question 15

Can you provide examples of gross motor skills in infancy?

Answer 15

Sitting up, standing, cruising, walking.

Question 16

Can you provide examples of fine motor skills in infancy?

Answer 16

Grasping objects, following movement with the eyes, moving the head towards a sound, scrunching up hands and feet if touched gently.

Question 17

What is the difference between primary and secondary sex characteristics?

Answer 17

Primary sex characteristics refer to changes to the sexual organs themselves (uterus, vagina, penis, and testes). Secondary sex characteristics refer to other visible changes that mark adult maturation such as changes in height and body shape.

Question 18

What hormones are involved in puberty?

Answer 18

Testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone, FSH and LH.

Question 19

What are the main physical development changes during early and middle adulthood?

Answer 19

Reach maturity, reach physical peak, pregnancy, lactation, perimenopause and menopause, weight gain, grey hair appears or hair loss, wrinkles appear.

Question 20

What are the main physical development changes during later adulthood?

Answer 20

More extreme hair loss, gray hair covering more of the body, more wrinkles and sagging skin, loss of mobility and unable to grasp objects as well, memory loss, muscle and organ degeneration, posture changes and slower movements.