Life Changes: The Process of Change

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Begins with birth Ends with death

LIFE STAGES

Persons differ greatly Every person passes through certain

stages of growth and development

CLASSIFICATIONSSEVEN STAGES

Infancy - birth to 1 year Early childhood - 1 -6 years Late childhood - 6-12 years Adolescence - 12 -20 years Early adulthood - 20 - 40 years Middle adulthood - 40 - 65 years Late adulthood - 65 and up

TYPES OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT4 TYPES

Physical: Body growth Mental: development of mind Emotional: feelings Social: interactions & relationship

CHARACTERISTICS OF STAGES

Tasks progress from simple to complex foundations for the next stage rate of accomplishment varies

Infancy: Birth to 1 Year

Ages birth - 1 year of age

Physical Development

Dramatic & Rapid changes Tripled weight Teeth Vision Reflex Actions:

Moro (startle), Rooting, Sucking, Grasp

Motor Development 2 months: roll from side to back 4 months: hold head up while sitting

with support 7 months: crawl 12 months: walk without assistance

Mental Development Rapid during first year respond to discomforts

pain, cold, or hunger by crying gradually become more aware of

surroundingsrecognize individuals

learning activities grow speech

Social Development Progresses from the total self-centered

concept of the newborn to a gradual recognition of others in the environment

4 months recognize persons who care for them smile stare at others

6 months watch activities of others show signs of possessiveness shy or withdrawn from strangers

Social Development 12 months

shy with strangers socialize freely with familiar people mimic & imitate gestures like facial

expressions and vocal sounds

Emotional Newborns show

excitement 4-6 months:

distress, delight, anger, fear

12 months: elation and affection

Needs Dependent on others for ALL needs Food, cleanliness, and rest are

essential for physical growth Stimulation is essential for mental

growth Love and security are essential for

emotional and social growth

EARLY CHILDHOODAges 1 – 6 Years

Physical Development Slower than during infancy Skeletal and muscle development helps a

child look more like an adult legs & lower body tend to grow more rapidly

then the head, arms & chest muscle coordination

run, climb, and move freely finger muscles develop learns to write, draw &

use a fork & knife

Physical continued

Age 2-3 years most teeth have erupted digestive system is mature enough to

handle most adult food Age 2-4 years

learn bowel & bladder control

Mental Development Advances rapidly during early childhood Verbal growth

Progresses from several words at age 1 to 1,500 -2,500 words by age 6

Mental Development 2 year olds

short attention span interested in many activities remember details begins understanding concepts

Mental Development 4 year old

ask frequent questions recognize letters and some words begin to make decisions based on logic

rather than trial & error

Mental Development 6 YR OLD

Very Verbal wants to learn how to read Memory has developed

make decisions based on both past and present experiences

Emotional Development Ages 1 to 2

Develops self awareness and the effect they have on others

Limits are usually established for safety Anger, temper tantrums may occur if

desired performance not accomplished Likes routine. Becomes stubborn, angry, or

frustrated when changes occur

Emotional Development Ages 4 - 6

gain more control over emotions know right or wrong more independent less anxiety when faced with new

experiences

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Separation anxiety Playing alongside other children is more

common than playing with other children

4- 6 years: Gradually puts “self” aside. Trust and effort to please others develops Friends of their own age become important

Needs Food, rest shelter, protection, love and

security Routine, order, consistency in daily life Taught to be responsible and must

learn how to conform to rules

LATE CHILDHOOD 6 – 12 Years

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Slow but steady Gain 5-7 pounds per year Ht increase 2-3 inches per year Muscle coordination well developed Physical activities that require complex

motor-sensory skills Loose primary teeth. Permanent teeth

erupt Visual acuity the best 10-12 sexual maturation may begin

MENTAL DEVELOPMENT Increases due to school Speech skills develop more

completely Reading & writing should be learned Information used to solve problems Memory becomes more complex Understands more abstract concepts

Loyalty, honesty, values,and morals

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Age 6 Frightened and uncertain as they

begin school Reassuring parents and success in

school helps gain self-confidence Fears replaced with coping abilities Learn to control emotions

Emotional Development

10 – 12 Years: Sexual maturation and body

changes can lead to periods of depression followed by periods of joy

Restless and anxious Difficult to understand

SOCIAL CHANGES 7 years:

Activities they can do by self Approval of others especially parents and

friends 8-10 years:

Group oriented with members of their own gender

Accept opinions of others Conform to rules and behavior of the group

Social Development

10 – 12 Years: Tend to make friends more easily Increasing awareness of opposite sex Gradually move away from parents

NEEDS Basic needs Reassurance Parental approval Peer acceptance

ADOLESCENCEAges 12 - 20

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Growth spurts can cause rapid

increases in height and weight awkwardness or clumsiness Puberty

development of the sexual organs and secondary sexual characteristics

secretions of sex hormones

MENTAL DEVELOPMENT Increase knowledge and social

skills Learn to make decisions; accept

responsibility for actions Treated both like child and adult

Emotional Development Often stormy and in conflict Concerned about their appearance Respond more to peer groups May create a conflict with vales

previously established

Emotional Development

Later adolescence: Self-Identity has been established Feel more comfortable with who

they are Concerned about career – who and

what they may become

Social Development Spend less time with family and

more time with peer group Security in groups of people their

own age and similarities Develop a more mature attitude

and patterns of behavior

Needs Reassurance, support and

understanding If needs not met problems that

may develop include: Eating disorders Drug and alcohol abuse Suicide

Eating Disorders Often develops from an excessive

concern with appearance Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia

Chemical Abuse

Development of a physical and /or mental dependence on these chemicals. Trying to relieve anxiety or stress Peer pressure Escape from problems Experimentation

Suicide One of the leading causes of death

in adolescents Reasons

Depression Grief Failure in school Not meeting expectations Lack of self-esteem

Suicide Warning Signs Verbal statements such as “I’d

rather be dead,” or “you’d be better off without me”

Sudden changes in appetite and sleep habits

Withdrawal and moodiness Excessive fatigue or agitation Alcohol or drug abuse

Early AdulthoodAges 20 – 40

PhysicalDevelopment completeMotor coordination is at its peakPrime childbearing time and usually produces the healthiest babies

Mental High decision making time:

Additional education Career Marriage Family Lifestyle

Emotional Subject to emotional stresses of

decision making Find satisfaction in their achievements Take responsibility for their actions Accept criticism and profit from

mistakes

Social Move away from peer group and

instead associate with others who have similar ambitions and interests, regardless of age

Development of personal family

Middle AdulthoodAges 40 - 65

Physical Hair begins to gray and thin Skin begins to wrinkle Muscle tone decreases Hearing loss starts Visual acuity declines Weight gain occurs

Physical Female

Menopause: end of menstruation, decreased hormone production

Male Male climacteric: decreased hormone production

leads to physical and psychological changes Never lose the ability to produce sperm or

reproduce except in cases of injury, disease or surgery

Mental Mental ability continues to increase Learned to cope with different stresses Confident in decision-making and

excellent in analyzing situations

Emotional Can be a period of contentment and

satisfaction or it can be a time of crisis Job stability, financial success, end of child

rearing and good health = Emotional Satisfaction

Job loss, fear of aging, loss of youth and vitality, illness, marital problems = Depression, anxiety, anger

Social Family relationships may see a decline

as children begin lives of their own and parents die

Marriages can become stronger with more time together or dissolve if remained together “for the children’s sake”.

Late AdulthoodAges 65 and up

Physical All body systems are affected by

decline with changes that slowly occur over time

Due to better health and better living conditions, many do not show physical changes of aging until their 70s – 80s

Mental Mental abilities vary Short-term memory is usually the first to

decline Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Emotional Adjustment is necessary!

Retirement, death of a spouse and friends, loss of independence, and knowledge that life must end can all cause emotional distress.

At risk for loneliness and depression

Social Retirement can lead to less contact with

others and a more limited circle of friends usually occurs.

Developments of new social contacts is important

Needs Sense of belonging Self-esteem Financial security Social acceptance Love