Human Development Stages

    Throughout their lives, people change physically and psychologically. Physical changes occur in the body. Psychological changes occur in the mind and also in the person’s behavior. These changes are called human growth development.

    Everyone will go through the same stage of development during their lives. However, no 2 people will follow the exact same pattern or rate of development. The age ranges given are a general idea, not an exact description.    

Infancy (Birth-12 months)

• grow and develop very quickly

• relative independence of moving around, communicating basic needs, & feeding itself.

• physical development moves from the head down

—> Infants gain control over the muscles of their neck before shoulders

Toddler (1-3 years)

• Children gain independence

• learn to speak

• gain coordination of limbs

• controls bladder/bowels.

• often assert new independence by exploring

Preschool (3-5 years)

• develop social relationships

• develop vocabulary & language

School Age (5-10 years)

• development is centered on cognitive & social development

• exploration of the world

• learn morals & right vs. wrong

Preadolescence (10-12 years)

• Children enjoy a growing sense of self-identity and a strong sense of identity with peers.

• ability to handle more responsibilities

• childhood fears tend to disapear.

• begin puberty (girls start ~1year before boys)

• secondary sex characteristics develop (growth of body hair, odor, etc.)

Adolescence (12-18 years)

• become sexually mature

• if puberty is not reached in prior stage, it should start here.

• changes can be difficult to adapt to