Human Growth & Development

• chronological age is measured in years, months and days
• skeletal age is indicated by physical maturity of skeleton
• developmental age includes interaction between physical, cognitive, social and emotional development
• physical growth and development refers to growth of body’s muscles, bones and systems
• peak height velocity is the measure of the max rate of growth in height during growth spurt
• cephalocaudal sequence explains growth starting in head then trunk then extremities
• proximodistal sequence explains how body movements develop closer to centre of body earlier than those farther away
• cognitive development refers to gradual changes in a persons ability to process info, language learning, perceptual skill and conceptual ability
• infancy is when head and chest grow rapidly to allow organs to develop, bones harden and basic motor skills are developed
• childhood is when the body goes through stabilizing period to begin development of motor skills
• unstructured, imaginative play is important during childhood stage
• during adolescence a range of changes occur to develop sexual maturity and sex organs
• during adolescence social and behavioural changes take place that influence sense of self, values and choice of activities
• during adulthood changes such as weight gain, increase in blood pressure and heart rate and weakening of joints can occur
• social development refers to development of relationships with others
• emotional development refers to our ability to manage and regulate emotions
• during sensorimotor stage person may demonstrate intelligence by motor activity without use of symbols
• during the pre-operational stage person can demonstrate intelligence through symbols and increase in memory, imagination and language skills
• during the concrete operational stage logical thinking develops as well as concept of addition and subtraction
• during formal operational stage person can demonstrate intelligence through solving abstract problems and also return to egocentric thinking patterns