Development of

the Learners at
Various Stages
Mr. Renato B. Fugen/ Ms. Chela Quibedo
Lesson outline
3.1 Pre-natal Period
3.2Infancy and Toddler
3.2Physical Development of Infants and
Toddlers
3.3Cognitive Development of Infants and
Toddlers
 Pre-Natal
Period
While you might think of child
development as something that begins
during infancy, the prenatal period is
also considered an important part of
the developmental process. Prenatal
development is a time of remarkable
change that helps set the stage for
future psychological development.
 Germinal Stage
The first two weeks after conception

3 Stages of
embryonic period

pre-natal the third through the eighth week

development
fetal period
the time from the ninth week until birth
 germinal period
The germinal stage begins at conception when the sperm and egg
cell unite in one of the two fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg is
called a zygote. Just a few hours after conception, the single-
celled zygote begins making a journey down the fallopian tube to
the uterus.

Cell division begins approximately 24 to 36 hours after

conception. Through the process of mitosis, the zygote first
divides into two cells, then into four, eight, sixteen, and so on. A
significant number of zygotes never progress past this early part
of cell division, with as many as half of all zygotes surviving less
than two weeks.
 Embryonic period
At this point, the mass of cells is now known as an embryo. The
beginning of the third week after conception marks the start of the
embryonic period, a time when the mass of cells becomes distinct
as a human. The embryonic stage plays an important role in the
development of the brain.

Approximately four weeks after conception, the neural tube

forms. This tube will later develop into the central nervous system
including the spinal cord and brain. The neural tube begins to form
along with an area known as the neural plate. The earliest signs of
development of the neural tube are the emergence of two ridges
that form along each side of the neural plate.
 fetal period
Once cell differentiation is mostly complete, the embryo enters
the next stage and becomes known as a fetus. The fetal period of
prenatal develop marks more important changes in the brain. This
period of development begins during the ninth week and lasts
until birth. This stage is marked by amazing change and growth.

The early body systems and structures established in the

embryonic stage continue to develop. The neural tube develops
into the brain and spinal cord and neurons continue to form. Once
these neurons have formed, they begin to migrate to their correct
locations. Synapses, or the connections between neurons, also
begin to develop.
 Infancy and
toodler
Between birth and age three, children
rapidly achieve many important
milestones that create the foundation
for later growth and development.
Early in life, babies depend on others to
meet their needs for safety and
security.
 Overall Physical
Growth
By the time an infant is 4 months old,
it usually doubles in weight, and by
one year has tripled its birth weight.
By age 2, the weight has quadrupled.
The average length at 12 months
(one-year-old) typically ranges
from 28.5-30.5 inches. The average
length at 24 months (two years old)
is around 33.2-35.4 inches (CDC,
2010).
The Brain in the First
Two Years
Some of the most dramatic physical
change that occurs during this period
is in the brain. At birth, the brain is
about 25 percent of its adult weight,
and this is not true for any other part
of the body. By age 2, it is at 75
percent of its adult weight, at 95
percent by age 6, and at 100 percent
by age 7 years.
Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills are voluntary

movements that involve the use of
large muscle groups and are
typically large movements of the
arms, legs, head, and torso. These
skills begin to develop first.
 Physical
Developmental of
Infants and Toddlers
Young children rapidly grow, develop, and
achieve important milestones between birth
and age 3, creating the foundation for later
growth. Physical development is one
domain of infant and toddler development.
It relates to changes, growth, and skill
development of the body, including
development of muscles and senses. This
lesson will introduce developmental
milestones in addition to influences on early
physical growth and development.
Physical Development
From the Start

When healthy babies are born, some of their internal

systems, such as their ability to suck, swallow, and
breathe, are developed and functional. To support
the best possible physical development, all infants
require responsive care from loving adults, proper
nutrition, and appropriately stimulating
environments. Infant and toddler physical
development can occur quickly; so it is essential to
understand the various stages of physical
development.
Influences on Early Physical
Growth and Development
There is no exact age at which all infants should be
able to grasp objects or hold up their heads without
support. Physical development occurs at different
times for all children depending on many factors,
such as the child’s unique characteristics, the
family’s values and culture, and available resources.
However, many infants and toddlers experience
developmental milestones at similar times. The chart
below outlines information about what infants and
toddlers are likely experiencing and learning during
different periods:
 2 Months 4 Months 6 Months 9 Months 12 Months 18 Months 2 Years

Rolls from
Holds head tummy to
Holds head Takes a few
steady back & may Sits without
up when on steps Walks alone Kicks a ball
without begin rolling support
tummy independently
support from back to
tummy

Makes Moves into Walks up and

Brings hands Pushes arms Crawls over Strings small
smoother sitting down stairs
to midline straight obstacles; items onto
movements position while holding
when laying when on including string or
with arms without on for
on back tummy stairs shoelace
and legs support support

Relaxes
Holds and
hands from Transfers Tries to kick
shakes toys; Feeds Jumps with
fists for Begins to sit items from a ball after
swings at themself feet
short with support one hand to observing an
dangling finger foods together
periods another adult
toys

 Cognitive Development:
Infants and Toddlers

Infants and toddlers usually follow

predictable patterns in how they grow and
learn. This lesson will help you understand
typical cognitive development, or how
infants and toddlers develop thinking skills.
You will learn about developmental
milestones and what to do if you are
concerned about a child’s development.
 Milestones
Infants’ and toddlers’ thinking skills grow as they interact
with the world and people around them. The key to healthy
brain development is through nurturing and responsive
care for a child’s body and mind. As you learned in the first
lesson, how the brain grows is strongly influenced by a
child’s early experiences. Therefore, supporting a child’s
cognitive development with consistent, nurturing
experiences and interactions is critical for brain growth. As
infants and toddlers develop, they begin to understand and
predict how things work: they open and close a cabinet
door over and over, they fill and dump a cup of water in the
water table, they bang a spoon on a high chair to hear the
sound.
 2 Months 6 Months 12 Months 24 Months 36 months

Explores things in Finds things even

Can work toys with
Pays attention to Looks around at different ways, like when hidden under
buttons, levers,
faces things nearby shaking, banging, two or three
and moving parts
throwing covers

Begins to follow
things with eyes Plays make-believe
Brings things to Finds hidden things Begins to sort
and recognize with dolls,
mouth easily shapes and colors
people at a animals, and people
distance

Shows curiosity
Begins to act bored Completes
about things and Looks at the right Does puzzles with
(cries, fussy) if sentences and
tries to get things picture or thing three or four
activity does not rhymes in familiar
that are out of when it is named pieces
change books
reach