Development Periods from Prenatal Period to Late Adulthood

Prenatal Period

Time from conception to birth, involves growth from single cell to organism with brain with behavioural capabilities

Infancy

Developmental period from birth to 18 or 24 months. Psychological activities are beginning, including: language, symbolic thought, sensorimotor coordination, and social learning

Early Childhood

• Development period from end of infancy to about 5 or 6 years. Often called the “preschool years”

• Children learn to be more self-sufficient, develop school readiness skills, and spend time with peers.

Middle and Late Childhood

• Developmental period from 6 to 11 years.

• Called the “elementary school years”.

• Mastery of the fundamental skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic is accomplished.

• Self-control increases and achievement is the central focus of the child.

Adolescence

• Developmental period starting from around 10-12 years and ending around 18-22 years of age, begins with rapid physical changes due to biological processes such as puberty.

Early Adulthood

• Developmental period starting around late teens to early twenties

• Individuals establish personal and economic independence and many may start selecting mates or learn how to live with someone

Middle Adulthood

• Developmental period starting around 40 years of age and extending it to 60 years of age, time of expanding personal and social involvement and responsibility and assisting the next generation

Late Adulthood

• Developmental period beginning in late sixties and ends in death. Individuals decrease in strength, health, and life and look towards retirement.