Exam prep

  • A. Human growth and development through the life stages:

    • The concepts of growth (measurable physical changes) and development (acquisition of skills and capabilities).

    • The principles of growth and development (e.g., rates are not constant, different body parts grow at different rates, orderly sequence of development).

    • The physical, intellectual, emotional, and social changes that occur in each of the life stages:

      • Infancy (0-2 years): Focus on gross and fine motor skills development, early language development, attachment.

      • Early Childhood (3-8 years): Further development of motor skills, language, social interaction, and the beginnings of emotional understanding.

      • Adolescence (9-18 years): Puberty and its physical, emotional, and social impact; development of identity and independence; cognitive development including abstract thinking.

      • Early Adulthood (19-45 years): Reaching physical maturity, career development, forming relationships, starting a family.

      • Middle Adulthood (46-65 years): Physical changes associated with aging (e.g., menopause), career changes, family dynamics.

      • Later Adulthood (65+ years): Physical decline, changes in cognitive function, social changes (e.g., retirement, loss of loved ones).

  • B. Factors affecting human growth and development:

    • The nature vs. nurture debate and how genetic and environmental factors interact.

    • Genetic factors: Inherited conditions, predispositions to certain illnesses.

    • Environmental factors: Housing, pollution, access to healthcare, nutrition.

    • Social factors: Family relationships, education, social class, culture, peer influence.

    • Economic factors: Income, employment, access to resources.

    • Major life events: Marriage, divorce, bereavement, illness, accidents, career changes and their potential impact on development.

  • C. The physical changes of ageing:

    • The physical changes associated with aging in different body systems (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal, nervous, sensory).

    • The psychological changes that can occur in older adults (e.g., memory changes, impact of loss and isolation, changes in self-esteem).

    • The societal effects of an aging population (e.g., increased demand on health and social care services, changing workforce demographics, ageism).