HUMAN

GROWTH
LEARNING
DEVELOPMENT
(Kevin Paul A. Cero)

PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT

1. Development is Continuous
2. Development is Gradual
3. Development is Sequential
4. Rate of Development Varies Person to Person
5. Development Proceeds from General to Specific
6. Most Traits are Correlated in Development
7. Growth and Development is a Product of Both Heredity and
Environment
8. Development is Predictable
9. Development
10. There is a Constant Interaction Between All Factors of
Development
PRE-NATAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

GERMINAL STAGE- The germinal stage begins at conception when the sperm and egg cell unite in
one of the two fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg, known as a zygote, then moves toward the uterus, a
journey that can take up to a week to complete. Cell division begins approximately 24 to 36 hours after
conception. Within just a few hours after conception, the single-celled zygote begins making a journey
down the fallopian tube to the uterus where it will begin the process of cell division and growth.

Cell division continues at a rapid rate and the cells then develop into what is known as
a blastocyst. The blastocyst is made up of three layers:
1. The ectoderm (which will become the skin and nervous system)
2. The endoderm (which will become the digestive and respiratory systems)
3. The mesoderm (which will become the muscle and skeletal systems)
Finally, the blastocyst arrives at the uterus and attached to the uterine wall, a process known
as implantation.
EMBRYONIC STAGE
At this point, the mass of cells is now known as an embryo. The beginning of the third week
after conception marks the start of the embryonic period, a time when the mass of cells becomes
distinct as a human. The embryonic stage plays an important role in the development of the
brain. The embryo begins to divide into three layers each of which will become an important
body system. Approximately 22 days after conception, the neural tube forms. This tube will later
develop into the central nervous system including the spinal cord and brain. Around the fourth
week, the head begins to form quickly followed by the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. The
cardiovascular system is where the earliest activity begins as the blood vessel that will become
the heart start to pulse.
During the fifth week, buds that will form the arms and legs appear.
By the time the eighth week of development has been reached, the embryo has all of the basic
organs and parts except those of the sex organs. It even has knees and elbows! At this point, the
embryo weighs just one gram and is about one inch in length.
By the end of the embryonic period, the basic structures of the brain and central nervous system
have been established. At this point in development, the basic structure of the central and
peripheral nervous system are also defined.
FETAL STAGE
Once cell differentiation is mostly complete, the embryo enters the next stage and becomes known as
a fetus. The fetal period of prenatal develop marks more important changes in the brain. This period of
develop begins during the ninth week and lasts until birth. The early body systems and structures
established in the embryonic stage continue to develop. It is at this point in prenatal development that
the neural tube develops into the brain and spinal cord and neurons continue to form. Once these
neurons have formed, they begin to migrate to their correct locations. Synapses, or the connections
between neurons, also begin to develop. It is during the period between the 9th and 12th week at the
earliest reflexes begin to emerge and the fetus begins to make reflexive motions with his arms and legs.
So what's going on inside the brain during this important period of prenatal development? The brain
and central nervous system also become more responsive during the second trimester. Around 28
weeks, the brain starts to mature faster with activity that greatly resembles that of a sleeping newborn.
During the period from seven months until birth, the fetus continues to develop, put on weight, and
prepare for life outside the womb. The lungs begin to expand and contract, preparing the muscles for
breathing.
INFANCY AND TODDLERHOOD HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
What to expect
At first, caring for your baby might feel like an endless cycle of
feeding, diapering and soothing. But soon, signs of your baby's growth
and development will emerge.
 Motor skills. Your newborn's head will be wobbly at first and
movements will be jerky. But soon your baby will be able to lift his or her
head and chest while lying on his or her stomach, as well as stretch and
kick his or her legs in that position. If you offer a toy, your baby might
grasp it and hold on tight for a few moments.
 Hearing. Your infant will be sensitive to noise levels. Expect your baby
to begin responding to the sound of your voice by smiling and gurgling
back at you. He or she will also begin turning toward the direction of
sounds.
 Vision. Your baby will probably focus on your face, particularly your
eyes, during feedings. At age 1 month, your baby will prefer to look at bold
patterns in sharply contrasting colors or black-and-white. By around age 2
months, your baby's eyes will become more coordinated, allowing for
tracking an object. Soon your baby will begin to recognize familiar objects
and people at a distance.
 Communication. By age 2 months, your baby might coo and repeat
vowel sounds when you talk or gently play together.
TODDLERHOOD STAGE
 CHILDHOOD STAGE

From birth through age 5, a child's brain undergoes its most dramatic growth.
While human growth is highly individual and dependent upon both nature
and nurture -- or, genes and environment -- there are some general
milestones. According to the National Association for the Education of Young
Children, these milestones fall within four domains of child development:
cognitive, emotional, physical and social, with growth in one domain
influencing growth in others.

Cognitive Growth
Children are constantly expanding and reorganizing their mental structures as they process their
experiences. The structure of their brains actually changes. Activity causes the brain to create
and eliminate neural circuits. This happens throughout life, but it is most common in early
childhood. Children learn from observation, activities and from direct instruction. But, to
improve cognitive functioning, activities and instruction must align with the child’s stage of
development and with his cognitive capacities.
•

Physical Growth
Motor skills refer to the physical abilities young children develop. Gross
motor skills are large movements using the arms, legs and feet. Fine motor
skills are smaller movements, such as those with the fingers and thumbs.
Gross and fine motor skills develop together as many activities rely on their
coordination. While physical growth follows a defined pattern, it is influenced
by genetics, weight at birth, nutrition, child-rearing, temperament, social
class and ethnicity.

Physical Growth
Motor skills refer to the physical abilities young children develop. Gross
motor skills are large movements using the arms, legs and feet. Fine motor
skills are smaller movements, such as those with the fingers and thumbs.
Gross and fine motor skills develop together as many activities rely on their
coordination. While physical growth follows a defined pattern, it is influenced
by genetics, weight at birth, nutrition, child-rearing, temperament, social
class and ethnicity.

Social Growth

Play is an essential part of human growth and development. According to

Doris Bergen, Distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology at Miami
University, pretend play can facilitate perspective taking and abstract
thought as well as social and linguistic competence. It helps children learn to
socialize and solve problems, and it connects children to their imagination,
environment and other people. Play actually changes the brain by forming
connections between nerve cells. David Whitebread, Senior Lecturer in
Psychology and Education at the University of Cambridge, claims that “Play
in all its rich variety is one of the highest achievements of the human
species, alongside language, culture and technology” and that these other
achievements would not be possible without play.

ADOLESCENCE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Most teens ages 13 to 17 will:
•Complete puberty and the physical transition from childhood to adulthood
•Reach nearly their adult height, especially females (males continue to grow taller into their early twenties.)
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Most teens ages 13 to 17 will:
•Attain cognitive maturity—the ability to make decisions based on knowledge of options and their
consequences
•Continue to be influenced by peers (The power of peer pressure lessens after early adolescence.)
•Build skills to become self-sufficient
•Respond to media messages but develop increasing ability to analyze those messages
•Develop increasingly mature relationships with friends and family
•Seek increased power over their own lives
•Learn to drive, increasing their independence
SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT
Most teens ages 13 to 17 will:
•Understand that they are sexual and understand the options and consequences of sexual expression
•Choose to express their sexuality in ways that may or may not include shared sexual behaviors
•Recognize the components of healthy and unhealthy relationships
•Have a clear understanding of pregnancy and of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
•Recognize the impact various media have on cultural views about sex
•Have the capacity to learn about intimate, loving, long-term relationships
•Have an understanding of their own sexua

YOUNG ADULTHOOD HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Physical Development
Most young adults aged 18 and over will:
•Complete the process of physical maturation, usually attaining full adult height [Secondary sexual
characteristics, such as size of penis and breasts, are completed.]
Cognitive Development
Most young adults aged 18 and over will:
•Move into adult roles and responsibilities and may learn a trade, work, and/or pursue higher education
•Fully understand abstract concepts and be aware of consequences and personal limitations
•Identify career goals and prepare to achieve them
•Secure their autonomy and build and test their decision making skills
•Develop new skills, hobbies, and adult interests
Sexual Development
Most young adults aged 18 and over will:
•Enter into intimate sexual and emotional relationships
•Understand their own sexual orientation, although they may still experiment
•Understand sexuality as connected to commitment and planning for the future

MIDDLE AGE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

This time period in the life of a person can be referred to as middle age. This time
span has been defined as the time between ages 45 to 65 years old Many changes may
occur between young adulthood and this stage.The body may slow down and the middle
aged might become more sensitive to diet, substance abuse, stress, and rest. Chronic
health problems can become an issue along with disability or disease. Approximately
one centimeter of height may be lost per decade.[Emotional responses and
retrospection vary from person to person. Experiencing a sense of mortality, sadness, or
loss is common at this age.
Those in middle adulthood or middle age continue to develop relationships and adapt to
the changes in relationships. Changes can be the interacting with growing and grown
children and aging parents. Community involvement is fairly typical of this stage of
adulthood,as well as continued career development.

Physical characteristics
Middle-aged adults may begin to show visible signs ofThis process can be more rapid in
women who have osteoporosis. Changes might occur in the nervous system. The ability
to perform complex tasks remains intact. Women between 48 and 55 experience
menopause, which ends natural fertility.Menopause can have many side effects, some
welcome and some not so welcome. Men may also experience physical changes.
Changes can occur to skin and other changes may include decline in physical
fitness including a reduction in aerobic performance and a decrease in maximal heart
rate. These measurements are generalities and people may exhibit these changes at
different rates and times.
The mortality rate can begin to increase from 45 and onwards, mainly due to health
problems like heart problems, cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.Still, the majority of
middle-aged people in industrialized nations can expect to live into old age.

Cognitive characteristics
Erik Erikson refers to this period of adulthood as the generatitivity-versus-stagnation
stage. Persons in middle adulthood or middle age may have some cognitive loss. This
loss usually remains unnoticeable because life experiences and strategies are
developed to compensate for any decrease in mental abilities.

Social and personality characteristics

Marital satisfaction remains but other family relationships can be more difficult. Career
satisfaction focuses more on inner satisfaction and contentedness and less on ambition
and the desire to "advance".Even so, career changes often can occur. Middle adulthood
or middle age can be a time when a person re-examines their life by taking stock, and
evaluating their accomplishments. Morality may change and become more conscious.
The perception that those in this stage of development or life undergo a "mid-life" crisis
is largely false. This period in life is usually satisfying, tranquil. Personality
characteristics remain stable throughout this period.The relationships in middle
adulthood may continue to evolve into connections that are stable.

LATE ADULTHOOD HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Late adulthood(old age) is generally considered to begin at about age 65.
Erik Erikson suggests that at this time it is important to find meaning and
satisfaction in life rather than to become bitter and disillusioned, that is, to
resolve the conflict of integrity vs. despair.
Physical changes.People typically reach the peak of their physical
strength and endurance during their twenties and then gradually decline. In
later adulthood, a variety of physiological changes may occur, including
some degree of atrophy of the brain and a decrease in the rate of neural
processes.
Cognitive changes.The study of cognitive changes in the older
population is complex. Response speeds (neural and motor) have been
reported to decline; some researchers believe that age‐related decrease in
working memory is the crucial factor underlying poorer performance by the
elderly on cognitive tasks.

THE FIVE ASPECTS OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

1.COGNITIVE- Cognitive development is the construction of thought processes,
including remembering, problem solving, and decision-making, from childhood through
adolescence to adulthood.
2.PHYSICAL- Physical development is the process that starts in human infancy and
continues into late adolescent concentrating on gross and fine motor skills as well as
puberty. Physical development involves developing control over the body, particularly
muscles and physical coordination.
3.SOCIAL- Social development is about putting people at the centre of
development. This means a commitment that development processes need to benefit
people, particularly but not only the poor, but also a recognition that people, and the
way they interact in groups and society, and the norms that facilitates such interaction,
shape development processes.
4.MORAL - Moral development is the process throught which children develop
proper attitudes and behaviors toward other people in society, based on social and
cultural norms, rules, and laws.
5.PERSONALITY - Personality development is the development of the organized
pattern of behaviors and attitudes that makes a person distinctive. Personality
development occurs by the ongoing interaction of , character, and environment.