Physical development across the life stages

Question 1

Growth

Answer 1

The progressive increase in the size of a child or parts of a child.
e.g. height, weight

Question 2

Development

Answer 2

The progressive acquisition of various skills and abilities

e.g speaking, learning, expressing the feelings

Question 3

Gross motor skills

Answer 3

Movements that involve using the large muscles of the body

e.g. crawling, running

Question 4

Fine motor skills

Answer 4

Actions that involve using the small muscles of the body

e.g. grasping, drawing

Question 5

Infancy (0-2 years)

Answer 5

Gross motor skills:

• reaches out for toys
• stands when held
• sits independently
• crawls over and around objects
• starts to cruise
• walks with 2 hands held

Fine motor skills:

• turns head towards sound and voice
• moves arms together and apart
• rolls over
• reaches, grabs and puts objects in mouth
• pinches small objects
• drops and picks up toys
• bites and chews toys
• holds a spoon
• waves hello or goodbye

Question 6

Early childhood (3-8 years)

Answer 6

Gross motor skills:

• pedals a tricycle
• walks on tiptoes
• rolls a ball
• running around obstacles
• walks on a balance beam
• riding a bicycle
• standing and maintaining balance on one foot

Fine motor skills:

• snips paper using scissors
• writes name
• dresses and undresses independently
• draws basic pictures
• tie shoelaces

Question 7

Adolescence (9-18 years)

Answer 7

An important status change following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult

Question 8

Primary sexual characteristics

Answer 8

Relate to the changes and development of reproductive organs (present at birth and develop during puberty)

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 spermatozoa, beginning of ejaculation

Question 9

Secondary sexual characteristics

Answer 9

Outward signs of development from a child into a man or woman (develop during puberty)

Female:

• breasts develop and the areola (the area around the nipple) swells and darkens
• hair grows in armpits and pubic areas
• 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 10

Puberty

Answer 10

A period of rapid growth during which young people reach sexual maturity, and become biologically able to reproduce and secondary sexual characteristics develop

girls - 11-13
boys - 13-15

Question 11

Hormones

Answer 11

Chemical substances produced in the body and transported in the blood stream that control or regulate body cells or body organs.

Question 12

Sex hormones

Answer 12

Responsible for the changes that occur in puberty.

The release of sex hormones controls:

• the onset and rate of puberty
• the physical changes such as pubic and axillary hair growth
• egg and sperm production

Question 13

Oestrogen and progesterone

Answer 13

Main female hormones. The ovaries start to produce oestrogen and progesterone which are responsible for changes including ovulation and menstruation. The first period is a significant change for young females as it indicated the onset of fertility.

Question 14

Testosterone

Answer 14

Main male hormone. 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 e.g. deeper pitch and tone of the voice

Question 15

Development norms

Answer 15

Standards by which the progress of a child’s development can be measured.
e.g. the average age at which a child walks, learns to talk, or reaches puberty

Question 16

Milestone

Answer 16

An ability achieved by most children by a certain age

e.g. walking, talking, expressing emotions

Question 17

Early adulthood (19-45 years)

Answer 17

During this stage the individual will reach physical maturity. Young adults are usually at their peak of their physical performance between the ages of 19 and 28. By this age, young adults have reached their full height and strength, and reaction time and manual dexterity are also at their peak.

Question 18

Pregnancy and lactation

Answer 18

Pregnancy hormones can cause mood swings. Hormonal changes take place, with an increase in progesterone which maintains the pregnancy, while the increase on oestrogen may be responsible for the sickness some women suffer in early pregnancy.

Hormones also affect the shape and appearance of their breasts:

• darkened veins due to increased blood supply
• nipples and areolas darken
• breasts become more sensitive and tender, preparing the breasts to produce milk (lactation)

Question 19

Menopause

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Perimenopause

Answer 20

The perimenopause begins near the end of early adulthood. The ovaries start to make less oestrogen which results in a reduction of egg production. Perimenopause is the transitional stage that ends when the menopause starts. This is when the menstrual cycle completely stops. Perimenopause lasts between 4- 10 years.

The low production of oestrogen leads to several physical and emotional symptoms that can be difficult to manage:

• Mood swings
• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Loss of sex drive (libido)
• Fatigue
• Heavy or irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness
• The urgency to urinate more and urinating when coughing or sneezing
• Weight gain
• Breast tenderness

Question 21

Middle adulthood (46-65 years)

Answer 21

The risk of miscarriage and pregnancy complications rises with age. Between 45-55 years of age fertility reduces and then comes to an end in a process called menopause. It can take several years to complete.

Question 22

The menopause involves:

Answer 22

• gradual ending of menstruation and a large reduction of fertile eggs on the ovaries
• an increase in the production of hormones called gonadotropins that try to stimulate egg production (can cause irritability, hot flushes and night sweats)
• a reduction in the sex hormones, resulting in some shrinkage of sexual organs and sometimes a reduction in sexual interest
• associated problems such as osteoporosis

Question 23

Effects of the ageing process

Answer 23

As people start to age, they experience:

• increased weight and waistline
• loss of skin elasticity
• loss of muscle tone and strength
• hair loss
• greying and thinning of hair

Question 24

Later adulthood (65+ years)

Answer 24

As individuals age, the likelihood of infections and diseases increases. This can be because of changes to organs such as the heart and the musculoskeletal system.

Examples of physical changes:

• stamina, strength and suppleness start to decline
• mobility becomes more of a challenge
• difficulties with fine motor skills that control coordination and dexterity
• skin loses elasticity, resulting in wrinkles
• visual and hearing problems
• greying and thinning of hair
• eyesight deteriorates
• hair loss.
• difficulty with gross motor skills
• Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’ s disease are more common in older people.

Question 25

Life expectancy

Answer 25

An estimate of the number of years, on average, that a person can expect to live. Sometimes called longevity.

Question 26

Cognitive impairment

Answer 26

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