Lesson 2-

The Development
of the Learner
2D. The Stages of Human
Development
 Train up a child in the way he
should go: and when he is old, he
will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6
 Stages of Human Life and Their
Characteristics
1. Prenatal period is the period
that occurs from conception
to birth. This period is
composed of three sub-
stages namely:

a. Period of the ovum or

germinal stage is the first two
weeks of life after conception.
The ovum is approximately
pinhead in size and practically
unchanged in size.
b. Period of the embryo or embryonic stage is the
period from the second week to the second month. All
the essential features of the
body, external and internal, are
established in this period.

c. Period of the fetus or fetal stage occurs from the

end of the second month to birth approximately 270
days after conception. Changes in actual size of the
body are already established during
the preceding period.
preceding period.
2. Infancy is the first two weeks after birth.
 plateau stage.
 major adjustment to
temperature, breathing,
nourishment (sucking & swallowing)
and elimination.
 helpless and immature.
3. Babyhood - End of infancy to 2 years old
rapid growth, decrease in
helplessness and increase in
independence.
4. Early childhood - 2 to 6 years old
 “pre-school age.”
 language is well established
 major development is the control of the
environment
 characterized by curiosity,
questioning, negativism and aggression.
5. Late childhood -6 to 11 or 12 years old
 “smart age” - child thinks he knows
everything and does not hesitate to inform
others
 “gang age” concern of the child is his gang
and the desire to be accepted dominates his
behavior.
6. Puberty overlaps the end of childhood and
the early part of adolescence.
 Rapid bodily changes lead to confusion
 Feeling of insecurity
 Changes are physical growth in height, the
development of secondary sexual characteristics
in both sexes and menstruation in girls.
7. Early adolescence -13-14 to 17 years old
 becomes sexually mature
changes occur in duties,
responsibilities, privileges
and relationship with others
 characterized by instability,
unhappiness, awkwardness of
movement, strong emotions
and curiosity about sex.
8. Late adolescence -17 to 21 years old

 one must individualize, build up

about his future, and begin to
free himself from his parents.
 one reaches legal maturity &
assumes status as adult.
 greater stability
 impulsiveness and emotionality
gradually tone down
 body becomes proportional
 curiosity about sex is replaced
by congenial heterosexual
companionship.
9. Early adulthood -21 to 40 years old
 ready to assume duties and
responsibilities of adults
 behaviors conform to the
approved pattern of adult
in their culture
 career and family development
starts during this stage
 characterized by adults’ three
adjustments to: work, marriage,
and parenthood.
10. Middle age - 40 to 60 years old
 marked by physical
and mental changes such
as cessation of reproductive
capacities.
 peak period in life - financial,
social success, authority
and prestige
 career reaches its highest level
 change in interest although
inflexibility dominates.
 period of self-assessment of
past experiences
 retirement begins
 “Empty nest” crisis may be experienced
11. Old age or senescence - 60 years to death
 time when individuals look back on life,
lives on present accomplishments,
and begins to finish off his life course
 characterized by dependency
and widowhood.
 there is a decline, regression,
or a return to an earlier pattern
of behavior and simple level of function.
 there is gradual decline in physical
and mental activity which one
compensates for by using past knowledge.
Activity 2C:
Submit a reflection on the
milestones/past experiences of your
own development (from pre-natal -
present age). You may include
pictures.