HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONS




Course Code: GEP5201




Course Title: HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT




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, TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Lesson 1: Introduction to Human growth and development .................... 2
Lesson 2: Research methods and designs in human development.........12


Lesson 3: Theories and determinants of human development.................17
Lesson 4: Pre-natal development..............................................................34
Lesson 5: Neonate.....................................................................................43
Lesson 6: Physical and motor development..............................................49
Lesson 7: Perceptual development...........................................................53
Lesson 8: Cognitive Development.............................................................59
Lesson 9: Language development.............................................................67
Lesson 10: Social development.................................................................72
Lesson 11: Emotional development...........................................................79
Lesson 12: Moral development .................................................................88
Lesson 13: Adolescent growth and development......................................93
Lesson 14: Adulthood development.........................................................106
References...............................................................................................112
Sample CAT and research paper/take away CAT....................................114
Sample main exam and marking scheme.................................................115



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,LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This part will deal with introductory concepts in regard to human growth and
development, which encompasses human changes from conception to death
covering:-
 Developmental psychology
 Child development.
 Lifespan of Human development.
We will look at definitions of the terms growth and development, followed by
the relationship between growth and development, the principles of growth and
development and the importance of studying human growth and development.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to :-
a. Define the terms growth and development.
b. Discuss the principles of growth and development.
c. Explain the importance of studying human growth and development.
1.1 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Development
It is a progressive series of qualitative changes that occur in a predictable
pattern as a result of the interaction between biological and environmental
factors. It is a unique kind of change that is cumulative and occurs over time in
a social context. For example language use, thought processing, reading skills,
and peer relationships.
Growth


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, This is a progressive series of quantitative changes that occur in a lifespan of a
human being. It runs parallel to human development. Examples of these
quantitative changes include the physical change in weight and height. Thus
these quantitative changes are measurable and observable (physical) during
from infancy through to death.


Human Development
This is a branch of knowledge concerned with the nature and regulation of
significant structural, functional and behavioural changes occurring in human
as they develop in age and maturity. Structural growth refers to changes for
instance in shape and size.
Functional changes relate to the ability of the various organs of the body for
instance in regard to the speed of reaction, breathing, reading etc.
Behavioural changes refers to the function manifestation in behaviour for
instance when we think before acting.
Criteria to determine developmental changes
 Orderliness- Developmental changes are not haphazard For example
walking skills of an infant do not emerge haphazardly Its a progressive
sequences starting with the lifting of the head, sitting, crawling, walking
and finally run.
 Superior functioning- When a child walks, s/he can move around and
discover the environment.
 Development stage- involves long lasting modification of behaviour.
1.2 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
a) Early philosophers
This can be traced to early philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle who are
credited with origin of science for human development. They used two
methods:-
 Philosophical writings on education and child rearing practices. They
philosophised how a good citizen could be reared.
 The philosophers made daily observations of children which were simple
and they wrote about this in regard to the for example speech, emotions
and play.
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