Unit 1- Learning Aim A
Physical development across the life stages
Growth and development
Growth is an increase in a measurable quantity like height or weight.
Development is about the complex changes including an increase in skills, abilities and capabilities.
Principles of growth
Continuous growth but not at a smooth rate
Rapid growth in infancy and puberty
Growth rates between genders and different parts of the body differ
New-borns double their weight by 4 to 5 months old
New-borns triple it by they reach 1
By the age of 2, they will be half their adult height
Growth is measured using height, weight and dimensions of the body
Principles of development
Development happens from the head to the toes, from the inside to the outside, in the same sequence but
at different rates and holistically (areas of development are dependent on and influence each other)
Children will pass through the same development stages, but every child in unique and develops at their own
rate
Development is seen as a journey where a child reaches certain milestones/ developmental norms.
Milestones: an ability achieved by most children by a certain age. It can involve physical, social, emotional,
cognitive and communications skills.
Developmental norms: a description of an average set of expectations with respect to a young child’s
development.
Infancy and early childhood
Development of gross motor skills
Gross motor skills: large movements that involve using large muscles of the body which are required for
mobility.
Essential for physical play and everyday tasks.
Development of fine motor skills
Fine motor skills: involve smaller movements that require more precise direction and use smaller muscles.
They allow infants to pick up things using their thumb, wriggle their toes and hold a crayon or small toy.
Infancy (0-2 years)
Developmental milestones
Age Gross motor skills Fine motor skills
New-born Primitive reflexes such as grasp Hold their thumbs tucked into their hands
1 month Lifts chin, some control of head Opens hand to grasp a finger
3 months Can lift their head and chest when lying Can briefly grasp a rattle
on front
6 months Rolls over, can sit up for a short time Moves objects from hand to hand, can pick up
without support, kicks legs when held up dropped toys if they are in sight
, 9-10 months Crawls, begins to cruise (walking while Uses finger and thumb to hold a small object
holding onto objects)
12-13 Stands alone, can walk without help Manipulates and places toys
months
18 months Climbs onto furniture Builds a short tower with blocks
2 years Propels a sit-on toy with their feet, throw Draws lines and circles. Turns a page
a large ball
2 ½ years Jumps from a low step, kicks a ball Uses a spoon and fork, builds a tower of 7-8 blocks
Early childhood (3-8 years old)
Development of gross motor skills
Age Gross motor skills
3 years Use pedals to ride a tricycle, run and balance on one foot for 1 second
4 years Kick and throw a large ball
5 years Hop using each foot separately
6/7 years Skip and ride a bicycle
8 years Good strength and body coordination so that they can take part in many sports and activities.
Development of fine motor skills
Age Fine motor skills
3 years Control their movements enough to use a pencil to copy letter or build a tower with cubes
5 years Dress and undress on their own, including tying their own shoelaces
8 years Good control of their small muscles and be able to draw detailed pictures.
Adolescence (9-18 years old)
Development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics
Primary sexual characteristics: present at birth and develop during puberty
Secondary sexual characteristics: develop during puberty
Puberty in girls often starts between the ages of 11 and 13. Puberty in boys begin between 13 and 15.
It is triggered by the action of hormones that control sexual development.
Primary sexual characteristics Secondary sexual characteristics
Female Male Female Male
The uterus enlarges Enlargement of penis Breasts develop and Changes in larynx (Adam’s apple)
and the vagina and testes. the areola swells causing voice to deepen.
lengthens. and darkens.
The ovaries begin to Spontaneous erections Hair grows in Hair grows in armpits and pubic area,
release eggs. caused by blood flowing armpits and pubic facial hair.
into chambers in the area.
penis may happen.
The menstrual cycle The testicles begin to Redistribution of Redistribution of muscle tissue and
commences. produce sperm, body fat causing fat.
beginning of
Physical development across the life stages
Growth and development
Growth is an increase in a measurable quantity like height or weight.
Development is about the complex changes including an increase in skills, abilities and capabilities.
Principles of growth
Continuous growth but not at a smooth rate
Rapid growth in infancy and puberty
Growth rates between genders and different parts of the body differ
New-borns double their weight by 4 to 5 months old
New-borns triple it by they reach 1
By the age of 2, they will be half their adult height
Growth is measured using height, weight and dimensions of the body
Principles of development
Development happens from the head to the toes, from the inside to the outside, in the same sequence but
at different rates and holistically (areas of development are dependent on and influence each other)
Children will pass through the same development stages, but every child in unique and develops at their own
rate
Development is seen as a journey where a child reaches certain milestones/ developmental norms.
Milestones: an ability achieved by most children by a certain age. It can involve physical, social, emotional,
cognitive and communications skills.
Developmental norms: a description of an average set of expectations with respect to a young child’s
development.
Infancy and early childhood
Development of gross motor skills
Gross motor skills: large movements that involve using large muscles of the body which are required for
mobility.
Essential for physical play and everyday tasks.
Development of fine motor skills
Fine motor skills: involve smaller movements that require more precise direction and use smaller muscles.
They allow infants to pick up things using their thumb, wriggle their toes and hold a crayon or small toy.
Infancy (0-2 years)
Developmental milestones
Age Gross motor skills Fine motor skills
New-born Primitive reflexes such as grasp Hold their thumbs tucked into their hands
1 month Lifts chin, some control of head Opens hand to grasp a finger
3 months Can lift their head and chest when lying Can briefly grasp a rattle
on front
6 months Rolls over, can sit up for a short time Moves objects from hand to hand, can pick up
without support, kicks legs when held up dropped toys if they are in sight
, 9-10 months Crawls, begins to cruise (walking while Uses finger and thumb to hold a small object
holding onto objects)
12-13 Stands alone, can walk without help Manipulates and places toys
months
18 months Climbs onto furniture Builds a short tower with blocks
2 years Propels a sit-on toy with their feet, throw Draws lines and circles. Turns a page
a large ball
2 ½ years Jumps from a low step, kicks a ball Uses a spoon and fork, builds a tower of 7-8 blocks
Early childhood (3-8 years old)
Development of gross motor skills
Age Gross motor skills
3 years Use pedals to ride a tricycle, run and balance on one foot for 1 second
4 years Kick and throw a large ball
5 years Hop using each foot separately
6/7 years Skip and ride a bicycle
8 years Good strength and body coordination so that they can take part in many sports and activities.
Development of fine motor skills
Age Fine motor skills
3 years Control their movements enough to use a pencil to copy letter or build a tower with cubes
5 years Dress and undress on their own, including tying their own shoelaces
8 years Good control of their small muscles and be able to draw detailed pictures.
Adolescence (9-18 years old)
Development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics
Primary sexual characteristics: present at birth and develop during puberty
Secondary sexual characteristics: develop during puberty
Puberty in girls often starts between the ages of 11 and 13. Puberty in boys begin between 13 and 15.
It is triggered by the action of hormones that control sexual development.
Primary sexual characteristics Secondary sexual characteristics
Female Male Female Male
The uterus enlarges Enlargement of penis Breasts develop and Changes in larynx (Adam’s apple)
and the vagina and testes. the areola swells causing voice to deepen.
lengthens. and darkens.
The ovaries begin to Spontaneous erections Hair grows in Hair grows in armpits and pubic area,
release eggs. caused by blood flowing armpits and pubic facial hair.
into chambers in the area.
penis may happen.
The menstrual cycle The testicles begin to Redistribution of Redistribution of muscle tissue and
commences. produce sperm, body fat causing fat.
beginning of
