Lifespan Development

Lifespan Development Overview

  • Instructor: Deseri Wooten, MSN, BSN, RN

  • Course: NURS 1200 (Fall 2025)

  • Essential: Read in-class activities in D2L for understanding before class.

Course Content in D2L

  • Components available:

    • Student Learning Objectives

    • Evidence to Support Learning

    • Outline of Learning Concepts & Exemplars

    • Key Terms

    • Resources and Assignments Pertaining to Lifespan Development

Key Concepts in Lifespan Development

Growth and Development

  • Growth:

    • Increase in physical size or number of cells.

    • Can be measured accurately (e.g., weight, height).

  • Development:

    • Series of orderly changes leading to new behaviors and motives.

Parameters of Growth

  • Weight, length, and height help monitor growth.

  • Developmental landmarks include:

    • Head circumference as an indicator of brain growth.

    • Sequential pattern of tooth eruption.

  • Growth spurts typically occur at various developmental stages.

Directional Patterns of Growth and Development

Cephalocaudal Pattern

  • Growth follows a 'head to toe' sequence.

    • Example: Head develops fastest in fetuses, followed by the trunk and legs in infants.

Proximodistal Pattern

  • Development progresses from the center outward.

    • Example: The central nervous system develops first, followed by limbs and fingers.

Physical Growth in Infants

Newborn Weight

  • Average birth weight: 7.5 lbs

  • Weight change:

    • Loses up to 10% first week.

    • Regains weight by 10-14 days; doubles by 4 months; triples by 1 year.

Newborn Height

  • Average height at birth: 20 inches (50 cm)

  • Growth rate:

    • Faster growth in first 6 months than in the latter half of the year.

    • Length increases by 50% in the first year.

Head Circumference

  • Average: 14 inches (35 cm) at birth

  • Rapid growth in the first 6 months, with significant increases in the first year.

Monitoring Growth Using CDC Growth Charts

  • Usage of head circumference, weight-for-length for percentiles tracking in infants.

  • Importance in identifying congenital diseases or developmental disorders.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

  • Calculating BMI:

    • BMI = kg/m² (weight in kilograms/height in meters squared)

    • Results: 25.0 or more indicates overweight. Healthy range is 18.5-24.9.

Safety and Child Development

  • Childhood injuries can be prevented by:

    • Modeling safety practices.

    • Educating parents and children.

    • Supporting legislative safety measures.

  • Children are prone to injuries due to curiosity and lack of fully developed skills.

Developmental Milestones and Assessment

  • Developmental age vs. chronological age is important for assessing if a child meets growth standards.

  • Gross and fine motor skills must be monitored across specified age ranges.

  • Delays require consultation.

Piaget's Cognitive Development Stages

Stages Overview

  1. Sensorimotor (Birth - 2 years)

  2. Preoperational (2 - 7 years)

  3. Concrete Operational (7 - 11 years)

  4. Formal Operational (11 years and up)

  • Key ideas include concepts of object permanence and logical reasoning.

Play Types in Development

  • Onlooker play: Observing others without participation.

  • Solitary play: Playing alone with toys.

  • Games with rules: Enhancing social skills and understanding boundaries.

Erikson's Psychosocial Development Stages

Stages

  1. Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy)

  2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Toddlerhood)

  3. Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool)

  4. Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age)

  5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)

  6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)

  7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)

  8. Integrity vs. Despair (Older Adulthood)

Importance

  • Each stage has its own developmental task and outcomes that impact lifelong development.

Conclusion

  • Students are encouraged to complete clinical group activities and assignments before leaving class.

  • For inquiries and further assistance, contact: dwooten@highlands.edu.