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Growth & Development Across the Lifespan
!"#$"%&'()*+% Growth & Development Across the Lifespan ! "
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Infancy

A foundational understanding of human growth and development allows the nurse to

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create, or assist in creating, a plan of care that addresses the specific needs of the client's
stage of growth and development.

Theories of Growth & Development A1&2+,

Developmental Stages

Regardless of the client's developmental stage, the nurse should:

"$("/.-154;&DQ1&4&<3=4)/1>51*+(#.+?5:;&CP&R%%:+&4("*45Z&[C\B Identify the expected physical, cognitive and psychosocial stages of development
;*%6-*%&R$.0&7("]9%"7%&E(*&.0%&D'KST&%V-8& Provide care and education for the client and their family, modifying approaches to care 5%3F+#+"()+,
K((:$"?&E(*&-&R-=&.(&8-V$8$^%&=()*&D'KST&6*%6-*-.$("&R$.0&.0%&0%#6&(E&")*+$"?&%9)7-.$("&%V6%*.+W&D'FGD_+&D'KSTU,D&,%<$%R&R$##&0%#6&=()&*%<$%R&%++%".$-#&7("7%6.+&-"9&6*-7.$7%&E(*&.0%&%V-8&R$.0&-#8(+.
CHOBB&D'KSTU+.=#%&`)%+.$("+J&& according to the client's developmental stage ,%<$%R&E(*&.0%&D'KSTU,D&SV-8$"-.$("&U&CP
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Evaluate the client's achievement of expected developmental milestones
Identify family structures (such as adoptive, blended and nuclear), note roles of family
'()*+%&'(".%". members, and recognize cultural and religious influences that may impact family * E12,

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The infancy stage Monitor
of growth
theand development
impact of change spans from 1system
in the family month(such
to 1 as
year.
a one-parent family, divorce, !"#$%&'!(/.01.2()*3/4.
death or a seriously ill family member)
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Growth
Additional Information '.01.2(9*/(5:.(!"#$%&'!

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For more information on each developmental stage, please see the additional H+,%'$(+,
pages on:
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Early Childhood
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Preschool '(86#%.%
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School Age Y$%R&1## )

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Adolescence
Early Adulthood

, Middle Adulthood
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Older Adulthood
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Remember It!
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Through a foundational understanding of human growth and development, nurses

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create, or assist in creating, a plan of care that addresses the specific needs of the
client's stage of growth and development.
Infancy is a period of very rapid growth. The growth rate doubles at 6 months and triples at 1 year. By 1 year, the
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birth length has increased by almost 50% (mainly in the trunk) and the head circumference has increased by
almost 33%.
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The posterior fontanel closes at 6 to 8 weeks of age and the anterior fontanel closes at 12 to 18 months of age.
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The first tooth appears at 5 to 6 months and the infant usually has 6 to 8 teeth by age 1 year.

+ Motor Development
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Play in infancy is solitary. Suggested toys include mobiles, unbreakable mirrors, rattles and music boxes. By age 6
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to 8 months the infant can sit without support and around the same time can roll over.
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Most infants begin crawling around 6 to 7 months, can stand alone at about 10 to 12 months and start cruising
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(walking by holding onto something) around 12 to 15 months.

The pincer grasp develops at 9 to 11 months, which is needed for infants to feed themselves.
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Suggested toys for age 6 to 12 months include blocks, nesting boxes or cups, simple take apart toys, large balls,
' large puzzles, jack in the box, floating toys, teething toys, activity boxes and push-pull toys. By 10 months
*+,,%"-@-A1,)(-51$+-9-5%34%$# the infant
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can play peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.

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Cognitive Development
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Language Development

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Threats to Health & Safety

Nursing Care

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