Human
Development
Growth:
generally refers to
changes in size
Development:
occurs through
maturation of
physical and
mental
capacities, as
well as learning
Healthcare workers need to be
familiar with each
developmental stage in order
to recognize inappropriate
behavior and provide quality
healthcare.
Life Stages
Infancy
•Initial language of newborn is the cry
•usually eats every 2 to 3 hours
•uncoordinated movements initially that
develop into fine motor coordination
•Toothless initially, develop during first year
•poor vision at birth (focusing range 8 to 12
inches)
•Weight usually doubles by 9 months
•responds to human voice & touch
Early Childhood
One-Year Old
•change from plump baby to a more lean,
muscular toddler
•begins to walk & talk
•ability for passive language (better
understanding of what’s being said)
•tentative sense of independence (not sure of
themselves)
•determined explorer
Two-Year Old
•begins to communicate verbally (name, etc.)
•can usually speak in 3 to 4 word sentences
•famous for negative behavior
say “NO!” to everything!
temper tantrums
•will play side by side other children, but does
not actively play with them
•great imitators
Three-Year
Old
•Loves parents and wants to be just like
them
•vocabulary and pronunciation continue to
expand
•More coordinated, climbs stairs with
alternating feet
•can briefly stand on one foot
Four-Year
Old
•sentences are more complex; speaks well
enough for strangers to understand
•imagination is vivid; line between what is
real and imaginary is often indistinct
•develops fears (common fears: fear of
dark, fear of animals, & fear of death)
Five-Year Old
- can hop on one foot &
skip
- accurately copy figures
such as triangle
- continues to develop
language skills
- may begin to read
- social with other
children their age
Late Childhood: Preadolescence
Age 6-12 years
•both large & small muscles
well-developed
•complex motor skills are
developed
•Vision is at it’s best
•Stage to learn moral values
•from independent activities to
same sex group activities
•acceptance by peers very
important
•parental approval still
important
Adolescence
Age 12-20
•traumatic life stage for child and
any authority figure
•puberty occurs; rapid physical
growth
•Muscle coordination does not occur
as quickly, can seem clumsy
•Learn to be accountable for actions
•extremely concerned with their
appearance (and others)
•trying to establish self-identity; may
feel uncertain, inadequate & insecure
•confrontations with authority
Young Adult
Age 20-45
•physical development complete and at it’s
peak
•emotional maturation continues to develop
•usually learned to accept responsibility for
actions and accept criticism
•usually knows how to profit from errors
•socially progress from age-related peer
groups to people with similar interests
Middle
Adulthood
Age 45-55
•physical changes begin to occur:
•hair begins to thin & gray
•wrinkles appear
•hearing & vision decrease
•muscles lose tone
•main concerns: children, health, job
security, aging parents, & fear of aging
•love & acceptance still take a major role
Late
Adulthood
Age 55+
•fastest growing age bracket of society
•physical deterioration (brittle bones, skin dry &
wrinkled, poor coordination)
•some memory problems
•coping with retirement and forms of
entertainment
•very concerned with health & finances
•significant number become depressed; suicide rate
is high
•Needs are the same – feelings of acceptance, love,
self-esteem and financial security
Individual Differences To Take
Into Consideration
• Cultural & Sub-cultural differences
– value systems, body language, rites of passage,
rituals
• Ethnic differences
– skin tones, facial features, language
• Religious differences
- Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, etc…
• Physical differences
– large/small, thin/fat, anomalies, disabilities
• Personalities
– predisposition to be outgoing, shy, creative, etc…