Stages of Human Development and Healthy Growth

Learning Goals and Curriculum Standards

  • Global Learning Goal: Students are focused on understanding how people grow and change throughout their lives.

  • Specific Success Criteria:

    • Identify and name the different stages of life.

    • Provide specific examples of developmental changes.

    • Identify and describe various ways to maintain health.

  • Curriculum Standard (D1.4): This involves describing how people change and grow, outlining the basic stages of human development and associated changes, and identifying physical, mental, social, and environmental factors crucial for healthy growth and living across the lifespan.

The Big Ideas of Human Development

  • We Grow:

    • Physical expansion: We get bigger.

    • Physical capability: We get stronger.

  • We Change:

    • Intellectual/Skill acquisition: We learn new things.

    • Functional capacity: We can do more than we could previously.

  • We Stay Healthy: This is achieved through four pillars:

    • Body: Focused on physical maintenance (Eat, Move, Sleep).

    • Thinking: Focused on cognitive engagement.

    • Feelings: Focused on emotional awareness and care.

    • Friends: Focused on social connections and community.

The Five Stages of Development

1. Infant

  • Age Range: From birth to approximately 11 year old.

  • Definition: A stage characterized by a high requirement for care and supervision.

  • Growth and Milestones:

    • Learning to roll over.

    • Learning to crawl.

    • Beginning the processes of standing and walking.

  • Essential Needs:

    • Physical: Food and sleep.

    • Emotional: Love, comfort, and consistent care.

    • Environmental: A safe and secure environment.

2. Child

  • Age Range: Approximately 11 to 1212 years old.

  • Definition: A stage involving formal education and learning.

  • Growth and Milestones:

    • Physical growth: Increasing in height and physical strength.

    • Skill development: Improving coordination and specialized skills.

  • Essential Needs:

    • Physical: Healthy food, adequate sleep, and regular physical activity.

    • Social/Emotional: Support from family members and teachers.

    • Interpersonal: Friends and dedicated time for play.

3. Adolescent

  • Age Range: Approximately 1212 to 1818 years old.

  • Definition: The transitional period during which an individual is growing into a young adult.

  • Growth and Milestones:

    • Physiological: The body begins to undergo significant changes.

    • Social/Mental: Developing a greater sense of independence.

  • Essential Needs:

    • Physical: Healthy food, sleep, and physical activity.

    • Social: Support from family and trusted adults.

    • Emotional: A sense of belonging and connections with friends.

4. Adult

  • Age Range: Approximately 1818 years and older.

  • Definition: This is the stage where the individual is considered fully grown.

  • Growth and Milestones:

    • Physical: The body reaches full development.

    • Intellectual: Continuous learning and the acquisition of new life skills.

  • Essential Needs:

    • Physical: Healthy food, sleep, and activity.

    • Balance: Maintaining a healthy work and life balance.

    • Social: Meaningful relationships and systems of support.

5. Older Adult

  • Age Range: The later stage of life, usually beginning at 6565 years and older.

  • Growth and Characteristics:

    • Physiological: The body may begin to slow down.

    • Rest: A possible increase in the need for rest and recovery.

  • Essential Needs:

    • Physical: Healthy food, rest, and appropriate physical activity.

    • Support: Care, support, and intentional time spent with family and the broader community.

Dimensions of Growth and Change

  • Body:

    • Individuals grow taller and physically stronger.

    • Individuals learn entirely new ways to move their bodies.

  • Thinking:

    • Individuals learn and integrate new ideas.

    • Individuals develop the ability to solve complex problems.

  • Feelings:

    • Individuals learn to understand their own emotions.

    • Individuals learn strategies to manage their feelings effectively.

  • Relationships:

    • Individuals learn how to make and maintain friends.

    • Individuals learn the social skills required to work effectively with others.

Strategies for Healthy Living

  • Physical Health (Body):

    • Consume healthy foods.

    • Engage in physical movement.

  • Mental Health (Thinking):

    • Commit to learning new things.

    • Apply effort and "try your best."

  • Emotional Health (Feelings):

    • Communicate by talking about your feelings.

    • Utilize calm-down breaks when needed.

  • Social Health (Relationships):

    • Practice kindness toward others.

    • Develop the ability to ask for help when it is required.

Reflection: Comparative Development

  • Then vs. Now: A self-reflection exercise comparing past limitations to current capabilities (e.g., "What can you do now that you couldn't do before?").

  • Now vs. Future: A consideration of future potential and the abilities one expects to gain as they move into older stages of development.