Physical Development Across The Life Stages

Question 1

What is growth?

Answer 1

An increase in size or weight.

Question 2

What is development?

Answer 2

The acquisition of skills and abilities over time.

Question 3

What are the 4 main principles of development?

Answer 3

Development happens:
1) from head to toe
2) from inside to outside
3) in the same sequence but at different rates
4) holistically

Question 4

What are the 4 main areas of skill acquisition ?

Answer 4

1) physical development
2) social development
3) emotional development
4) intellectual development and language skills

Question 5

What are developmental milestones ?

Answer 5

Significant stages in development.

Question 6

What are norms of development ?

Answer 6

The achievement of milestones at approximate and accepted age ranges by the majority of children.

Question 7

What is physical development ?

Answer 7

The ability to use muscles and body parts for a particular skill.

Question 8

What are gross motor skills ?

Answer 8

Skills which require whole body movement and which involve the large muscles of the body.

Question 9

What are fine motor skills ?

Answer 9

Skills which require movements using the small muscles in our hands and wrists.

Question 10

What is infancy ?

Answer 10

The period of 0-2 years old.

Question 11

What are the gross motor skills that develop during infancy ?

Answer 11

Newborn- Primitive reflexes such as grasp
1 Months- Lifts chin, some control of head
3 Months- Can lift their head and chest when lying on front
6 Months- Rolls over, can sit up for a short time without support, kicks legs when held
9-10 Months- Crawls, begins to walk while holding onto objects
12-13 Months- Stand 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 Years- Jumps from a low step, kicks a ball

Question 12

What are the fine motor skills that develop during infancy ?

Answer 12

Newborn- Holds their thumbs tucked into their hands
1 Months- Open hands to grasp a finger
3 Months- Can briefly grasp a rattle
6 Months- Move 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- Manipulate and place toys
18 Months- Build a short tower with blocks
2 Years- Draws lines and circles, able to turn a page
2 And A Half Years- Uses a spoon and fork, builds a tower of 7-8 blocks

Question 13

What is early childhood ?

Answer 13

The period of 3-8 years old.

Question 14

What are the gross motor skills that develop during early childhood ?

Answer 14

3 Years- Able to use pedals to ride a tricycle, run and balance on one foot for one second
4 Years- Kick and throw a large ball
5 Years- Hop using each foot separately
6/7 Years- Skip and ride bicycle
8 Years- Good strength and body coordination so they can take part in many sports and activities

Question 15

What are the fine motor skills that develop during early childhood ?

Answer 15

3 Years- Use a pencil to copy letters or build a tower with cubes
5 Years- Dress and undress on their own (including tying shoelaces)
8 Years- Draw detailed pictures

Question 16

What is adolescence ?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

When does adolescence usually take place ?

Answer 17

9-18 years old.

Question 18

What is puberty ?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What is responsible for the changes that take place during puberty ?

Answer 19

The release of sex hormones such as testosterone and oestrogen.

Question 20

At what age do adults generally reach the peak of their physical performance ?

Answer 20

21-28 years old.

Question 21

What are some of the side effects of hormonal changes during pregnancy ?

Answer 21

1. Moods swings
2. Nausea
3. Changes to the shape and appearance of breasts

Question 22

What is perimenopause ?

Answer 22

The time around menopause when ovaries gradually stop working.

Question 23

What is menopause ?

Answer 23

The ending of female fertility.

Question 24

When is middle adulthood ?

Answer 24

45-65 years old.

Question 25

What does menopause involve ?

Answer 25

1. Gradual ending of menstruation and a large reduction of fertile eggs in the ovaries.
2. An increase in the production of hormones called gonadotropins that try to stimulate egg production, which can cause irritability, hot flushes and night flushes.
3. A reduction of sex hormones produced by a woman’s ovaries, resulting in some shrinkage of sexual organs and sometimes a reduction in sexual interest.
4. Associated problems such as osteoporosis, which can be caused by a reduction in the production of sex hormones

Question 26

What are some of the side effects of hormonal changes during menopause ?

Answer 26

It can lead to mood changes, depression and anxiety.

Question 27

What are some of the physical changes that take place during menopause ?

Answer 27

1. Adults often put weight on
2. Loss of skin elasticity
3. Loss of muscle tone and strength
4. Greying and thinning of hair
5. Hair loss

Question 28

When is later adulthood ?

Answer 28

65 plus years.

Question 29

How does the deterioration of health in later adulthood impact on organs ?

Answer 29

1. The heart becomes more susceptible to to disease
2. Small changes to the brain which includes loos or shrinkage of nerve cells and a general slowing of responses

Question 30

How does the deterioration of health in later adulthood impact on physical size and strength ?

Answer 30

1. Individuals may begin to lose height
2. Loss of strength and muscle loss
3. Reduction in stamina

Question 31

What is cognitive impairment ?

Answer 31

When a person has trouble remembering, earning new skills, concentrating or making decisions.

Question 32

Why are people more vulnerable to cognitive impairment in later adulthood ?

Answer 32

1. Disease such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia are more common
2. Ageing involves a loss of nerve cells in the brain and a reduction in the ability of nerves to transmit electrical signals.