Growth & Development: Physical and Psychosocial Milestones

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms, developmental stages, physical milestones, and Erikson’s psychosocial tasks across the lifespan.

Growth & Development

The study of how people change and stay the same over time, beginning at conception and continuing throughout life.

Physical Development

Changes in body size, proportions, appearance, and functioning throughout the lifespan.

Cognitive Development

Changes in thinking, learning, memory, and problem-solving abilities across the lifespan.

Psychosocial Development

Changes in emotions, personality, social relationships, and roles over time.

Cephalocaudal Pattern

Motor development that progresses from head to toe; infants gain head control before trunk and limb control.

Prenatal Period

Conception to birth.

Infancy

Birth to 18 months.

Early Childhood

18 months to 6 years; sometimes subdivided into toddlers and preschoolers.

Middle Childhood

7–11 years.

Adolescence

12–18 years.

Young Adulthood

19–45 years.

Middle Adulthood

46–64 years.

Older Adulthood

65–75 years.

Advanced Age

76 years to death.

Average Newborn Weight

About 7–7.5 lb; 5.5–11 lb considered healthy.

Weight Doubling

Infant’s birth weight should double by 5–6 months.

Weight Tripling

Infant’s birth weight should triple by 1 year.

First Teeth Eruption

Usually appears at 5–11 months of age.

Dietary Fats for Infants

Necessary for brain growth; infants and children need adequate healthy fats.

Growth Rate in Young Children

Typically 2–3 inches in height and 4–6 lb in weight each year after age 2.

Visual Acuity at Age 2

Approximately 20/40.

Full Set of Deciduous Teeth

All 24 baby teeth usually present by age 3.

First Dental Visit

Recommended at 2–3 years of age.

Growth Chart

Graph plotting height and weight compared with norms to monitor a child’s growth.

95th Percentile

Growth-chart line above which a child may need further evaluation for excessive size.

5th Percentile

Growth-chart line below which a child may need evaluation for growth delay.

Toilet Training Milestone

Daytime bowel control precedes bladder control; nighttime control comes later.

Signs of Puberty

May appear as early as age 11 in middle childhood.

Permanent Teeth Eruption

Health concern in middle childhood; requires regular dental care.

Puberty

Period when sexual maturation begins, triggered mainly by genetics and nutrition.

Growth Spurt Fatigue

Tiredness in adolescents due to rapid growth during puberty.

Sex Hormone Influence

Increased hormones in adolescence heighten thoughts, desires, and interest in sexual activity.

Peak Physical Condition

Young adults (19–26 years) display highest strength, endurance, and energy.

Skeletal Maturity (Women)

Usually achieved at 18–19 years.

Skeletal Maturity (Men)

May not be complete until the late 20s.

Wisdom Teeth Eruption

Marks dental maturity in young adulthood.

Leading Cause of Death—Young White Males

Motor-vehicle accidents.

Leading Cause of Death—Young African-American Males

Homicide.

Presbyopia

Age-related loss of lens flexibility causing difficulty with near vision; common in middle adulthood.

Presbycusis

Gradual loss of hearing, especially high-pitched sounds; begins in early adulthood and becomes noticeable later.

Menopause

Cessation of menstruation in women as hormone production decreases.

Spinal Compression

Gradual shortening of the spinal column leading to a height loss of up to 1 inch by age 60.

Erikson: Trust vs Mistrust

Infant stage (birth–18 mo); success leads to trust through consistent, warm caregiving.

Erikson: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt

Toddler stage (18 mo–3 yr); success gained by allowing self-feeding and choice-making.

Erikson: Initiative vs Guilt

Early childhood (3–6 yr); success comes from freedom to explore within safe limits.

Erikson: Industry vs Inferiority

Middle childhood (6–12 yr); success involves mastering skills and enjoying accomplishments.

Erikson: Identity vs Role Confusion

Adolescence (12–20 yr); success achieved by forming a clear sense of self.

Erikson: Intimacy vs Isolation

Young adulthood (20–35 yr); success involves forming meaningful relationships.

Erikson: Generativity vs Stagnation

Middle adulthood (35–65 yr); success is caring for others and contributing to society.

Bonding

Early emotional attachment between infant and caregiver, fostering security and trust.

Morals

Values of right and wrong developed during early childhood.

Self-Concept

The perception one has of oneself; continues to develop in middle childhood.

Peer Importance

Influence of individuals of similar age, increasing from early childhood into adolescence.

Ideology

Belief or value system that should be well established by the end of adolescence.