CHILD AND ADOLESCENT LEARNERS AND LEARNING PRINCIPLES

Module 03. Unit 2 - Physical Development of Children and Adolescence

(Weeks 4-5: Sept. 21- October 2, 2020)

I. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrated understanding of the stages of biological development, and factors affecting
growth and development.
2. Organized information and ideas about the physical development of the different
stages of development.

II. LEARNING CONTENTS/SUBJECT MATTER

A. LAWS AND PATTERNS OF PHYSICAL GROWTH AND MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

There are two major patterns of physical and motor development from conception until infancy.
1. Cephalocaudal development refers to growth and development that occurs from the head down.
2.  Proximodistal development occurs from the centre or core of the body in an outward direction.

B. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT FROM PRE-NATAL STAGE TO ADOLESCENT STAGE

B1. Pre-Natal Period is the beginning of life.
Developmental psychologists consider the process of human development as it relates to physical,
cognitive, and psychosocial (social-emotional) development. This lifespan development is organized into
different stages based on age.
Further, Developmental psychologists had asserted and established that pre-natal period is the most
crucial stage of development, specifically on the physical aspect during the first three (3) months of
pregnancy, which later has great effects on the cognitive and psychosocial development of a human
being.
Three Stages of Pre-natal Development
1. Germinal Period (First 2 weeks after conception)
This period is characterized by the following:
●Creation of the zygote
●Continued cell division
●The attachment of the zygote to uterine wall.
2. Embryonic Period ( 2-8 weeks after conception)
The mass cells, zygote becomes an embryo. This period is characterized by the following:
●Cell differentiation intensifies
● Life-support systems for the embryo- the placenta, umbilical cord and amnion develop.
● Internal organs appear

Life-support system for the embryo:

1. Placenta
2. Umbilical cord
3. Amnion
All these embryo’s life-support systems develop from the fertilized egg and not from the
mother’s body.
3. Fetal Period. (2 months to 7 months after conception)
Growth and development continue dramatically and organ systems mature to the point at
which life can be sustained outside the womb.
Threats to Prenatal
1.1. Miscarriage 1.3. Complication associated to pregnancy
1.2. Ectopic pregnancy 1.4. Bleeding or Spotting
Factors Affecting Prenatal Development
1. Maternal conditions in relation to physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
2. Medical-related condition of the mother
3. Environmental Factors
B2. INFANCY AND TODDLER DEVELOPMENT
●In general, an infant’s length increase by about 30 percent in the first 5 months.
●A baby’s weight usually triples during the first year but slows down in the second year of life.
Brain Development
● At birth, the newborn’s brain is about 25 % of its adult wright. By the second year, the brain is
about 75% of its adult weight.

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 ●Shortly after birth, a baby’s brain produces trillions more connections between neurons than it can
possible use. The brain eliminate connections that are seldom or never use.
Motor Development
Motor development begin from reflexes, to gross motor skills and fine motor skills.
1. Reflexes are automatic movements of infants for survival.
Kinds of Reflexes: Sucking, Rooting, Gripping, Curling, Startle/Moro, and Tonic Ne
2. Gross motor skills
3. Fine motor skills
Sensory and Perceptual Development
Infants’ senses are the primary means of learning about their immediate environment.
1. Vision/Seeing
2. Hearing
3. Feeling.
4. Tasting
5. Smelling/Odor
B3. MIDDLE and LATE CHILDHOOD DEVELOMENT (6 TO 12 YEARS OLD)
This is elementary age (Primary 6-8 yrs. old, and intermediate 9-12 yrs. old). At this stage, the
support of the family and friends of the child is very important especially on school related activities.

Physical development involves:

1. Having good muscle control and coordination
2. Developing eye-hand coordination
3. Having good personal hygiene, and
4. Being aware of goof safety habits
Motor Development
They are gaining control over the major muscles of their bodies. Most children have a good sense of balance.
This is the period of tremendous physical activities such as games and sports. They love to move a lot like
running, skipping, hopping, jumping rolling and the like.
Motor development skills include:

Coordination is a series of movements organized and timed to occur in a particular way

to bring about a specific result (Strickland. 2000).
Balance is the child’s ability to maintain the equilibrium or stability of his/her body in
different positions.
Speed is the ability to cover a great distance in the shortest possible time.
Agility is one’s ability to quickly change or shift the direction of the body. This is very important
skills in most sports.
Power is the ability to perform a maximum effort in the shortest possible time.
B4. ADOLESCENCE DEVELOPMENT (HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS, 12-18 years old)

Adolescence is a period of transition in terms of physical, cognitive and socio-emotional changes.

This is the period of change. The rate of change in attitude and behavior are similar to the rate of physical
change.
Five Universal Changes during Adolescence Stage.
1. Intensified emotionality, the intensity depends on the rate of physical and psychological changes
that are taking place to the young person.
2. Rapid changes that accompanying sexual maturity. They have strong feelings of instability which
are often triggered by the confusing treatment they receive from parents.
3. Changes in their bodies, and their interests. There is strong influence and pressure from peer group
which often may come in conflict with existing family or ethnic customs and traditions.
4. Change in values. Oftentimes they value much their idols and tend to imitate their ways.
5. Uncertain about changes in their life. While they want and demand independence they often fear
the responsibilities that go with independence and question the ability to cope with these
responsibilities.

Puberty or early adolescence occurs at 10-13 years old; middle adolescent at 14 to 16 years old,
and late adolescent at 17-20 years.
Growth Spurts. The period of many physical changes in the body physique, and tone of voice

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 among boys.
Height and Weight. Most of the spurt in height is due to acceleration of truck length rather than of
length of legs. The earliest structures to reach their adult status are the head, hands, and feet.
Muscular and Skeletal dimensions. All skeletal and muscular dimensions take part within the
spurt in puberty . Simultaneously, with the spurt, there is a loss of fat. Boys have a great increase in
muscles size and strength together with a series of physiological changes, making them capable to
do heavier physical works than frills and of running faster and longer.
Sexual Maturity. Developed reproductive organs.
Facial Contour. The whole facial profile becomes more angular, the forehead more prominent, the
chin pointed, the nose longer. The facial changes are due to increase of muscle size and in the
distribution of fatty tissues under the skin.
Adolescent Sleeping Habit
Studies show that teenagers are not getting enough sleep, and would want more sleep. Lack of sleep is
likely caused by changes in their behavioral patterns such as watching TV, videos, use of cellphones,
listening to music and the like. About 90% of teenagers reported going to bed later than midnight.
Attending to parties and socializing with peers add to this problem, causing difficulties in waking up early.

The Ideal Body

At this stage, adolescents are very conscious of their physical appearance.
They wanted to feel and look attractive, beautiful and handsome especially for the opposite sex.
It’s important that they should feel confident about their body image.
C. BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
● The brain is a three-pound organ that serves as headquarters for our bodies. Without it, we
wouldn’t be able to process information, move our limbs, or even breathe. Together with the spinal
cord, brain structure and function helps control the central nervous system.
●Brain development begins shortly after conception and continues throughout a person's life.

●According to Benjamin Bloom, 50% of brain development occurs from 0-4 years, another 30% from
5-8 years old, and the remaining 20% from 9 years old-onwards. Physical brain structure is fully
developed at age 9.

Three Major Parts and Functions of the Brains

1. Cerebrum
2. Cerebellum
3. Midbrain
.
D. FACTORS AFFECTING BIOLOGICAL/ PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Nature (Genetics)
2. Nurture (Environment)

F. CURRENT RESEARCH AND PEDAGOGICAL APPLICATIONS on PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

(Educational Implications and Learning Situations)

III. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Activity 8. Laws and Pattern of Physical Development ( 10 pts)
Submission: September 28,2020

Give 5 specific patterns of Cephalocaudal from Give 5 specific patterns of Proximodistal from
conception to early childhood stages of development conception to early childhood stages of development
1. 1.
2. 2,
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.

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 Activity 9. YouTube Viewing of Pre-natal Development ( 15pts)
1. Watch a YouTube that best illustrates the three stages of pre-natal development.
2. Describe the stages of Pre-natal Development based from the video clip that you have watched,
and according to the following:
Germinal Period Embryonic Period Fetal Period
Creation of the zygote 1. Cell differentiation intensifies Major Characteristics of the fetus
Continued cell division 2.Briefly describe the life-support
The attachment of the zygote to system for the embryo:
uterine wall Placenta
Umbilical cord
Amnion
3. Internal organs appear

3. Indicate the website you have watched.

4. Submission: September 28,2020

Activity 10. Essay on Threats to Prenatal (10 pts)

1. Read from the internet about threats to prenatal development and briefly describe them in
your own words.
1.1. Miscarriage (reasons)
1.2. Ectopic pregnancy
1.3. Bleeding or Spotting
1.4. Complication associated to pregnancy
2. Indicate the internet cite
3. Submission: September 28,2020

Activity 11. Factors Affecting Prenatal Development (10 pts)

1. Give at least three specific examples of the following factors affecting prenatal development.
You may search from the internet, and give only the main idea of the information.
2. Submission: September 28,2020

Maternal conditions in relation to Medical-related condition of the Environmental Factors

physical, mental, and emotional mother
well-being.

Activity 12. Watching YouTube Videos ( 15 pts)

1. Watch YouTube videos about the kinds of infant’s reflexes.
2. Briefly describe the following reflexes based on the videos you have watched.
2.1.Sucking
2.2. Rooting
2.3. Gripping
2.4. Curling
2.5. Startle/Moro
2.6. Tonic Neck

Activity 13. Concept Mapping on Infancy & Early Childhood Physical Development (20 pts)
1. Accomplish the tasks asked for
2. Submission: October 5, 2020

Terms Definition/Descriptions/Characteristics Give two specific learning

situations for development
Two Motor Skills
Gross motor skills
Fine motor skills
Sensory and Perceptual
Development
Vision/Seeing
Hearing
Feeling
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 Tasting

Activity 14. Power Point Presentation ( 25 pts)

1. Make an original Power Point Presentation about the physical development of Middle and
Late Childhood and Adolescent for classroom lecture.
2. Contents of Power Point is based on the concepts presented, and from internet search.
3. Make at least 7 slides for each, but not more than 20 slides.
Criteria
1. Visual Presentation/Creativity 10pts
2. Contents 10pts
3. Technical Format 5pst
4. Submission: October 5, 2020

Activity 15. Illustration of the Major parts and functions of the Brain (20 pts)
1. Define and describe the important functions of the following in the central nervous system of the body.
1.1. Cerebrum
1.2. Cerebellum
1.3. Midbrain
2. Illustrate through the computer or drawing the image of the brain with labels of the major parts
and their basic functions. (No explanation nor sentences).
3. Submission: October 5, 2020

Activity 16. Give Examples of Factors Affecting Biological/ Physical Development. (10 pts)
1. Cite at least 5 specific examples of factors affecting biological/ physical development.
You may search from the internet, but just give the gist of the information.
2. Submission: October 5, 2020
Nature (Genetics) Nurture (Environment)
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.

Learning Activity 17. Research Activity ( 15 pts)

1. Read one research of any topic about physical development from the internet. Copy the abstract of the
study and state the following:
2. Indicate your source and writer of the study.
3. Submission: October 5, 2020

Title of the study Methodology

Problem or content focus of the study

Conclusions

Formulate in your own words Formulate in your own words three (3)
two (2) Educational Implications. Specific Learning Situations in the
Classroom or School.

Prepared:

LAINE T. TUMAMANG, PH.D.

Professor, Professional Education Courses