MODULE 1

LESSON 1
Human Development:
Meaning, Concepts and
Approaches
WILLIAM INTRODUCTION
SHAKESPEARE
As you read this module and do the activities, you are undergoing
All the world's a stage the process of development. How does this development take place?
And all the men and women
What do experts say about development? These are the concerns of
merely players;
this module.
They have their exits and
entrances,
And one man in his time
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
plays many parts...
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
define human development in your own words
distinguish between the traditional and life-span approach of
development

ACTIVITY
Here are pictures of seven-year old Kathryn and five-year old
Daniel. Each one is a bundle of possibilities. Describe what they
were before birth (their point of origin) and who they will possibly
be after birth unto adulthood. What will they possibly become?
Expound on your answers.

Page 1 Lesson 1 Human Development: Meaning, Concepts and Approaches

 ANALYSIS
After giving your predictions, answer the following questions:            

When you gave your predictions as to how Daniel and Kathryn will
become, you were referring to human development. What for you is
human development?
Will there be anything common in the pattern of development of
Daniel and Kathryn? How about differences?
Do you believe that Daniel and Kathryn will continue to develop even
in adulthood or will they stop developing in adulthood?

ABSTRACTION LET'S REMEMBER

Two Approaches to Human Development            The traditional approach to
the study of development
If you believe that Daniel and Kathryn will show extensive change emphasizes extensive
from birth to adolescence, little or no change in adulthood and decline change in childhood. But
in the old age, your approach to development is traditional. In today, it is no longer
contrast, if you believe that even in adulthood developmental change fashionable to study
development within this
takes place as it does during childhood, your approach is termed life-
narrow confine of
span approach.
framework without
reference to the theoretical
Characteristics of Human Development from a Life-span Perspective approach that asserts that
(Santrock, 2002) growth and development
begins at conception and
1. Development is lifelong. continues throughout life.
2. Development is plastic. Plasticity refers to the potential for This perspective is known
change. Development is possible throughout the life-span. as the life-span approach,

3. Development is multi-dimensional. Development consists of

biological, cognitive and socio-emotional dimensions.

Development is relatively orderly- The muscular control of the trunk

and the arms comes earlier as compared to the hands and fingers. This
is the proximodistal pattern. During infancy, the greatest growth
always occur at the top gradually working its way down from top to
bottom. This is the cephalo-caudal pattern.

Development takes place gradually-Development doesn’t occur

overnight. It takes years before one develops. In fact, that's the way of
nature. The bud does not blossom suddenly. The seed does not
germinate overnight. While some changes occur in a flash of insight,
more often it takes weeks, months, or years for a person to undergo
changes that result in the display of developmental characteristics.

Page 2 Lesson 1 Human Development: Meaning, Concepts and Approaches


REFERENCES
http://www.cdipage.com/
development.htm
https://www.ajol.info/inde
x.php/lwati/article/view/5
7549
Page 3 Lesson 1 Human Development: Meaning, Concepts and Approaches
The biological, cognitive and socio-emotional processes are inextricably
intertwined. While these processes are studied separately, the effect of
one process or factor on a person's development is not isolated from the
other processes. If Daniel and Kathryn were undernourished and
troubled by the thought of father and mother about to separate, they
could not concentrate on their studies and consequently would fail and
repeat. As a consequence, they may lose face and drop out of school,
revert to illiteracy, become unskilled, unemployed and so on and so
forth. See how a biological process, affects the cognitive process which
in turn, affects the socio-emotional process.
4. Development is contextual. Individuals are changing beings in a
changing world. Individuals respond to and act on contexts. These
contexts include the individual's biological make up, physical
environment, cognitive processes, historical, social and cultural
contexts. (Santrock, 2002) Daniel and Kathryn's biological make up,
social and cultural contexts may vary and therefore make them develop
differently from each other. 
5. Development involves growth, maintenance and regulation-Growth,
maintenance and regulation are three (3) goals of human development.
The goals of individuals vary among developmental stages. For
instance, as individuals reach middle and late adulthood, concern with
growth gets into the back stage while maintenance and regulation take
the center stage.
APPLICATION
1. "Growth is an evidence of life" or "development is an evidence of life." What
does this mean? What does this imply to a person's development?
2. How would you differentiate traditional approach from life-span approach?
3. Knowing that development is a life-long process, how will you apply this
concept to your life as a future educator?
TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING
1. Give the meaning of human development in your own words.
2. How would you differentiate traditional approach from life-span approach?