Introduction to Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to human growth and development, utilizing definitions to facilitate understanding.

Growth

Objective, quantitative increase in size; examples include weight, height, and organ size.

Development

Subjective, qualitative changes that include predictable developmental milestones and psychomotor skills.

Developmental Milestones

Predictable skills or tasks that signify growth in motor, cognitive, and psychosocial domains.

Cephalocaudal pattern

Developmental pattern where growth progresses from head to toe.

Proximal to Distal

Developmental principle describing growth from the center of the body outward.

Critical periods

Specific times during development when certain skills or abilities are most easily acquired.

Maturation

The process resulting in a new level of maturity as physical and intellectual capabilities evolve.

Lifespan approach to development

The perspective that development is a lifelong process from conception to death.

Plasticity in development

The ability for growth and development to be influenced by experiences and context.

Social Development

The aspect of growth that involves emotional expression and social interactions with others.

Cognitive Development

The area of growth that pertains to learning, thinking, and reasoning skills.

Motor skills

Developmental changes concerning the function and size of the body's capabilities.