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BS Human Growth Development
CHAPTER SIX
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Human growth and Development are the life stages and changes that help people deal with various physical, intellectual and socio- emotional issues.
Basic concepts in Human Growth and Development
Growth
This is the increase in mass and size of a body or organ. It occurs through the multiplication of cells and an increase in intracellular substances.
Zygote-Neonate-Infancy-toddlerhood-Childhood-Adolescent-Adulthood-Oldage.
Development
This is the scientific study of how and why organisms change and adapt overtime starting from the womb to the tomb. The period between these stages are remarkable.
They are also the qualitative changes that occur in an individual.
Domains of Development:
There are three domains of development, namely
Physical Development
External physical changes: these are height, length, size, weight and the secondary sexual characteristics.
Internal physical changes: changes that occur in the body, eg. Menstruation, breaking of the voice and development of the breast.
Cognitive development:
These are mental processes relating to ones thinking, memory, perception, problem solving and reasoning
Psychosocial development:
These are changes in one's personality, emotions, interpersonal and social skills, moral judgment or morality.
Maturation
This is the process of reaching a stage of full or advanced development. It is the stage of complete growth and strengthening of acquired mental, social and emotional development. It is also the acquisition of new abilities, skills and characteristics that are appropriate for the individual's age.
Importance of Human Growth and Development
Understanding oneself: The study of human growth and development provides insights into the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that individuals undergo throughout their lives. It helps individuals understand themselves, their capabilities, and their potential for growth. This self-awareness can lead to personal fulfillment, goal-setting, and the pursuit of a meaningful life and also to study changes in human development is interesting in its own right. It satisfies our curiosity to know how we change with age.
Informing education and parenting: Knowledge of human growth and development is crucial for educators and parents. It helps them tailor educational strategies and parenting approaches to meet the specific needs of children at diferent developmental stages. Understanding how children leam, think, and interact allows for the creation of supportive environment that foster optimal development.
Health and well being: Human growth and development have a profound impact on physical and mentl health. By understanding the typical patters of growth and development, healthcare professionals can identify deviations or delays that may indicate underlying health issues. Early detection and intervention can promote healthy development and prevent or mitigate potential problems.
Informing policies and programs: Knowledge of human growth and development is essential for policymakers and program developers. It helps them design effective interventions and initiatives that address the needs of individuals at different stages of life. For example, understanding the specific challenges faced by adolescents can inform the development of targeted programs to support their social and emotional well-being.
Enhancing relationships and social interactions: Human growth and development shape our ability to form and maintain relationships with others.
Understanding how individuals develop socially and emotionally can facilitate effective communication, empathy, and conflict resolution. It also helps foster a more inclusive and supportive society by promoting understanding and acceptance of diversity. The better understanding of children and adolescent leads to greater appreciation of the problems and their potentials.
• Career and vocational choices: Human growth and development influence career choices and vocational development. As individuals progress through different stages of life, their interests, skills, and values evolve. Understanding these changes can guide individuals in making informed decisions about education, training, and career paths that align with their abilities and aspirations. Through an understanding of the development process, we can cope or learn how abnormal development or a typical development such as disability, delinquencies, and mental retardation occur and create treatment programs that will remedy deficiencies or prevent the occurrence of difficulties for other children and adults.
• Lifelong learning: Human growth and development is a lifelong process. It highlights the importance of continuous learning and personal growth across all stages of life. By recognizing that development continues beyond childhood, individuals can embrace opportunities for learning and skill development, leading to personal and professional growth and also Knowledge of human growth and development can be applied in helping others to live better life out of their life span.
Principles underlying Growth and Development
Growth is a continuous process: this means growth start from conception through infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood till death.
Growth is orderly/ in sequence: everyone develops from birth to death.
Cephalo-caudal: growth occurs from top to bottom or from head(cephalic) to tail (caudal)
Proximo- distal: growth starts at the middle( proximo) and moves away farther apart (distal).
Movement: all living organisms follow specific sequence of movement
Growth and Development are cumulative: development of skills is achieved through series of practices the child engages in.
All aspects of an individuals development are inter related: growth and development happens socially, physically, emotionally etc and all these come together to make the individual.
Growth and Development is different in every individual: the growth of every individual differs from the other.
Factors that influence growth and development
There are numerous factors that can influence growth and development in individuals. These factors can be broadly categorized into genetic, environmental, and socio-cultural factors.
Genetic Factors
Inherited Traits: Genetic factors play a significant role in determining an individual's growth and development. Traits such as height, body type, and certain health conditions can be influenced by genetics.
Genetic Disorders: Certain genetic disorders or abnormalities can impact growth and development. Examples include Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Marfan syndrome.
Environmental Factors:
Nutrition: Adequate nutrition is crucial for proper growth and development.
Malnutrition or deficiencies in essential nutrients can lead to stunted growth and developmental delays.
Prenatal Care: The health and well-being of the mother during pregnancy can affect the growth and development of the fetus. Factors such as maternal nutrition, exposure to toxins, and prenatal healthcare play a role.
Exposure to Toxins: Environmental factors such as exposure to pollutants, chemicals, or toxins can have adverse effects on growth and development.
Socioeconomic Conditions: Socioeconomic factors, including access to healthcare, quality of housing, and educational opportunities, can impact growth and development outcomes.
Socio-cultural Factors:
Parenting Style: The parenting style adopted by caregivers can influence a child's emotional, social and cognitive development.
Cultural Beliefs and Practices: Cultural norms and practices can shape a child's upbringing and influence their development. This includes beliefs about child-rearing, education, and gender roles.
Social Interactions: Interactions with peers, family members, and the broader social environment can have a significant impact on a person's social skills, language
development, and overall growth.
Stages of Human Growth and Development
The developmental stages of every human organism are divided into two major phases, namely;
The Pre-Natal Phase and the Post-Natal Phase.
The Pre-natal development refers to the period of growth and developme of a fertilized egg in the uterus of the mother until it is born. This period takes betwen 36 to 40weeks. There are three stages in the Pre natal stage.
The Germinal stage: (first (wo weeks); this stage starts the fusion of the gametes and it ends after fourteen days. This is when the fertilized ovum travels from the fallopian tubes and attaches itself to the uterus (implantation).
The Embrvonic stage (vo to eight weeks); this stage is characterized by cephalocaudal and proximodistal development. By the end of this stage many body organs and systems have developed except the sex organs.
The feral stage eight weeks to birth): the final stage of development begins at eight weeks where body organs and systems are perfected. at this stage the fetus is fully a human being
The Post natal stage: this phase begins just after birth and last till the individual dies. This phase is sub divided into
0-1month
Neo-Nate.
Infancy
Imth-1 year
Toddlerhood..
.1-3 years
Early childhood
.3-6years
Late childhood
6-12 years
Adolescence.
12-19 years
Adulthood
19 - 60years
Old age.
60years and above
Characteristics of a Neonate
1. Pinkish
2. They are hairy (lanugo)
3. They have scaly cheesy body(vernix caseosa)
4. Very fragile
5. Boys are heavier than girls
6. The respiratory and circulatory systems start working just after birth
7. Child gains a lot of reflexes after birth.
8. The first passage of fecal matter which is greenish black called the meconium
Reflexes in the New Born
Stepping Reflex: Legs move as though child wants to walk when feet touches a flat surface.
Swimming reflex: Arms and legs stretch out when baby is held horizontally stomach facing downwards
Babinski reflex: Toes run upwards when the feet are stroked.
Grasping reflex: hands grip tightly when anything touches the palm.
Moro reflex: Arms are flung outside and brought over the chest when someone bangs on the table on which baby is lying.
Rooting reflex: when the baby's cheeks are stroked baby turns its head to that direction.
Sucking reflex: Baby sucks on anything placed in their hands
Characteristics of an Infant
1. They don't have control over their bladder and bowe though hey are a developed
2. They use scent to differentiate until they are able to use their eyes.
3. Al four months babies gain control and can ba lance their head, neckand mut
4. At six to eight months, there is full control of the neck and an ol and st independently
5. Babies at this stage can play with your hands and grasp your fingers on purpose rather than as a reflex.
6. Babies communicate using sounds and gestures
7. First words might start at around 12 months. Example dada, mama.
8. Socialization starts from this stage.
Characteristics of a Toddler
1. They have the ability to recall what have learnt.
2. Children are able to use simple words
3. Children can imitate the behaviors of others.
4. Children can walk.
5. Children become attached to people they are familiar with.
6. They are interested in other children
7. There is bowel and bladder training at this stage.
8. They show greater independence.
9. They recognize themselves in mirrors and pictures.
10. They have deviant behaviors like Electra and Oedipus complex.
11. They throw tantrums and are very aggressive.
Characteristics of Early Childhood
1. There is decrease in appetite.
2. There is slow in growth.
3. They are very active and aggressive.
4. They are very selfish but very understandable and never forget promises.
5. They are very independent, sociable, playful and imaginative.
6. They believe their parents have everything.
7. They still exhibit some level of deviant behaviors.
Characteristics of Middle Childhood
1. There is slow in growth
2. They are egocentric/selfish
3. There are a lot of respiratory sicknesses.
4. They are very active, inquisitive and fun to be with.
5. Their cognitive development is very high.
6. They understand easily but very vulnerable.
Characteristics of the Adolescent
There are two types of growth in the adolescent namely the adolescent growth spurt (overall growth) and the reproductive growth (sexual characteristics)
Growth spurt
1. There is rapid increase in body size, proportions and composition
2. Girls grow faster than boys
3. Girls gain a lot of weight whiles boys increase in height and muscles
4. They eat a lot
5. They are very active
Reproductive growth
Boys
Development of the primary sex organs (gonads).
Enlargement of the sex organs.
Development of pubic and facial hair.
Deepening of the voice.
First ejaculation (spermache).
They are likely to masturbate.
They like sharing ideas.
Girls
Enlargement of the sex organs such as uterus, vagina, clitoris etc.
Enlargement of the breast.
Growth of pubic hair
Menstruation starts (menarche).
Ovulation begins
They become intimate or isolated.
Characteristics of Adulthood
Very vibrant, active and healthy
More focused on friend ship, romance and childbearing.
They are career oriented, self-focused and try to establish themselves as independent people.
They reach physical maturity and develop emotional stability.
From year 40, physical strength is reduced
6. Development of gray hair, wrinkles and age spot
7. They start to loose hair, vision and hearing.
8. There is excessive weight gain
9. Physical and biological changes occur.
10. The individual becomes calmer and more capable of managing emotions.
11. They are better able to negotiate social situations.
12. There is the empty nest stage and occasionally the overcrowded next stage.
Characteristics of Old Age
1. They feel more guilt about not having the ability to do what they use to do.
2. They become mistrustful and forgetful.
3. They feel less competent compared with others
4. They lose a sense of identity, easily get confused.
5. Excessive loss of physical, psychological and biological strength and problems.
6. They fear death.
NoteStudied by 1 personNoteStudied by 14 peopleNoteStudied by 18 peopleNoteStudied by 32 peopleNoteStudied by 27 peopleNoteStudied by 5 people