Human Growth and

Development
Definition of Growth and Development

• Human development is the process in which a

person grows from an infant into an adult. Explore
the different stages of growth like infancy,
childhood, adolescence and early, middle and late
adulthood.
• The growth in a human body represents the increase
in size and weight.
•Development in a human being refers to
cognitive development.
•Human growth and development can not
be the same in every child as each child
is unique but in many ways similar.
• Have you ever brought home a new puppy and then
watched it grow up? How did your dog change as it
got older? You may have watched your dog grow
and develop from a cute and cuddly puppy, to a bit
of a troublemaker, to a confident companion, and
finally to a lazy old dog who sleeps all day. Each of
these stages has different physical and emotional
characteristics. Just like dogs, humans go through
different developmental stages in their life, as well.
Human development is a branch of psychology with the goal of
understanding people — how they develop, grow, and change throughout
their lives. This discipline, which can help individuals better understand
themselves and their relationships, is broad. As such, it can be used in
various professional settings and career paths.
• If human development is the study of how people
change throughout their lives, how and when does
this development happen? Many scientists and
psychologists have studied various aspects of human
development, including ego psychologist Erik
Erikson.
• He examined the impact of social experiences
throughout an individual’s life and theorized
that psychosocial development happens in eight
sequential parts. What are the eight stages of human
development?
 Four main types of Growth and
Development
• Physical: body growth
• Mental: mind development
• Emotional: feelings
• Social: interactions and relationships
with others

• All four types above occur in each stage

 Difference between Growth and
Development

Growth Development
• It is a narrow term referring only • It is much broader and
to the physical growth comprehensive term referring to all
• Refers to increase in size, height, aspects of human personality-
weight, length etc physical, social, mental, emotional
etc
• It is quantitative in nature and
can be measured in terms of • It is qualitative in nature and
meter, gram etc which are difficult to measure
standard units. • It is a continuous and lifelong
• Growth stops when maturity is process
reached • Development is functional in nature
• It is structural in nature resulting in efficiency and maturity
• Describes changes in particular • Describes changes in the organism
aspects of the body as a whole
Life Stages

• Growth and development begins at birth and ends at

death
• During an entire lifetime, individuals have needs
that must be met
• Health care workers need to be aware of the various
stages and needs of the individual to provide quality
health care
Life Stages
• Infancy: birth to 1 year
• Early childhood: 2-6 years
• Late childhood: 6-12 years
• Adolescence: 12-20 years
• Early adulthood: 20-40 years
• Middle adulthood: 40-65 years
• Late adulthood: 65 years and up
Infancy

• Age: birth to 1 year old

• Conflict – Trust vs. Mistrust
• Dramatic and rapid changes
• Physical development– roll over, crawl, walk,
grasp objects
• Mental development—respond to cold, hunger, and
pain by crying. Begin to recognize surroundings and
become aware of surroundings and people
Infancy

• Emotional development – show anger,

distrust, happiness, excitement, etc.
• Social development – self-centeredness
concept of the newborn to recognition of
others in their environment
• Infants are dependent on others for all needs
Stage 1 — Infancy: Trust vs. Mistrust

• In the first stage of human

development, infants learn to trust
based on how well their caregivers
meet their basic needs and respond
when they cry. If an infant cries out
to be fed, the parent can either meet
this need by feeding and comforting
the infant or not meet this need by
ignoring the infant. When their
needs are met, infants learn that
relying on others is safe; when their
needs go unmet, infants grow up to
be less trusting.
Educational Implication of Infancy Stage

• Children should be given opportunity to develop good habits

through constant practice, repetition and conditioning like
self feeding, toilet training, dressing etc
• They should be able to manipulate objects by allowing them
to touch, play, break and construct to experience and
develop ideas of form, shape, size and color.
• The home and family environment should be conducive for
full development
• Parents love and affection necessary for emotional stability
• The children's questions must be properly attended
• Speech training and simple stories should be told so the child
is given opportunity to listen, imitate to facilitate his power
of expression
• Unhealthy behavior should be avoided and ignored
• Should not impose or pressurize in doing intellectual tasks
Early Childhood

• Age: 3-6 years old

• Conflict:
• Toddler 1 to 3 years - Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
• Preschool 3 to 6 years – Initiative vs. guilt
• Physical development – growth slower than in infancy.
Muscle coordination allows the child to run, climb, move
freely. Can write, draw, use a fork and knife
• Mental development – verbal growth progresses, short
attention span, at end of stage ask questions, recognize
letters, and some words
Early Childhood

• Emotional development – develop self-awareness

and recognize the effect they have on other people
and things. Children feel impatience and frustration
as they try to do things beyond their abilities. This
lead to temper tantrums (the terrible two’s)
• Social development – at beginning of stage very
self-centered one year old to sociable six year old.
Strong attachment to parents. Needs are food,
shelter, protection, love and security.
Stage 2 — Toddlerhood: Autonomy vs.
Shame and Doubt
• In addition to autonomy versus shame and doubt,
another way to think of the second stage is
independence versus dependence
• For example, if a toddler wants to walk without
assistance in a safe area, the caregiver should
encourage this autonomy by allowing the
independent behavior. If the caregiver insists on
holding the toddler’s hand even when it’s not
necessary, this attention can lead to doubt later in
life.
Stage 3 — Preschool Years: Initiative vs.
Guilt
• During the preschool years, children learn to assert
themselves and speak up when they need something.
Some children may state that they’re sad because a
friend stole their toy. If this assertiveness is greeted
with a positive reaction, they learn that taking
initiative is helpful behavior. However, if they’re
made to feel guilty or ashamed for their
assertiveness, they may grow up to be timid and less
likely to take the lead.
Late Childhood

• Age: 6-12 years old

• Conflict – Industry vs. inferiority
• Physical development– slow but steady. Muscle
coordination is well developed and children can engage in
physical activity that require complex motor-sensory
coordination
• Mental development – developing quickly and much of the
child’s life centers around school. Reading and writing skills
are learned, understand abstract concepts like honesty,
loyalty, values and morals
Late Childhood

• Emotional development -- the child achieves greater

independence and a more distinct personality. Fears are
replaced by the ability to cope.
• Social development – changes from activities by themselves
to more group oriented. They are more ready to accept the
opinions of others and learn to conform to rules, and
standards of behavior. Needs are the same as infancy and
early childhood along with the need for reassurance, parental
approval, and peer acceptance.
Stage 4 — Early School Years: Industry vs.
Inferiority
• When children begin school, they start to compare
themselves with peers. If children feel they’re
accomplished in relation to peers, they develop
strong self-esteem. If, however, they notice that
other children have met milestones that they
haven’t, they may struggle with self-esteem. For
example, a first grader may notice a consistently
worse performance on spelling tests when compared
with peers. If this becomes a pattern, it can lead to
feelings of inferiority.
Educational implications of childhood stage

• The school, home, community environment should

provide opportunity for physical development like
running, climbing, jumping etc
• Since the child is sensitive and curious their
questions should be addressed correctly with
factual information
• Teachers, parents must help develop good habits,
values, outlook, attitude, interest and guide them in
the right direction
• To motivate the inquisitiveness of children different
child centered methods of teaching like project
method dramatization, learning by doing etc should
be used
• Co-curricular activities such as debates, discussions,
seminars should be organized to encourage group
activities
• Fine arts to satisfy emotions and instinct
• Self discipline should be cultivated
Adolescence

• Age: 12-20 years old

• Conflict – Identity vs. Role Confusion
• Physical development – growth emerge, muscle
coordination slows. Development of sexual organs
and secondary sexual characteristics (puberty).
Secretion of sex hormones leads to the onset of
menstruation in girls and the production of sperm
and semen in boys. Body shape and form changes.
Adolescence
• Mental development – most foundations have been
set. Development primarily involves an increase in
knowledge and sharpening of skills. Learn to make
decisions and accept responsibility for actions.
• Emotional development – emotional development
is often stormy and in conflict. Adolescents try to
establish their identities and independence. They
respond more and more to peer group influences.
Adolescence
• Social development – spending less time with family and
more time with peer groups. They attempt to develop self-
identity and independence and seek security from their
peers. Toward the end of this stage they develop a more
mature attitude and develop patterns of behavior that they
associate with adult behavior.
• Need for reassurance, support and understanding.
Problems that develop in this stage can be traced to
conflict and feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.
Stage 5 — Adolescence: Identity vs. Role
Confusion
• The adolescent stage is where the term “identity crisis”
originated, and for good reason. Adolescence is all about
developing a sense of self. Adolescents who can clearly
identify who they are grow up with stronger goals and self-
knowledge than teenagers who struggle to break free of
their parents’ or friends’ influences. Adolescents who still
deeply depend on their parents for social interaction and
guidance may experience more role confusion than
teenagers who pursue their own interests.
 Educational Implications of Adolescence
Stage

• Proper understanding by parents and teachers on the

nature of growth and development
• Healthy home, school and community environment
for full personality development
• Imparting sex education to adolescence by school
stage
• Treat adolescent in a friendly manner as they could
show some typical shocking behavior
• Proper social groups, friends should be encouraged
• Provision for scouts and guides, educational tours
games and sports to satisfy their sociable instinct
• Organize artistic and literary programs
• Encouraged to study biographies and auto
biographies of great men
• Proper educational and vocational guidance should
be provided
Stage 6 — Young Adulthood: Intimacy vs.
Isolation
• In young adulthood, which begins roughly at age 20,
people begin to solidify their lifelong bonds; many
people enter committed relationships or marriages,
while others form lifelong friendships.
• People who can create and maintain these
relationships reap the emotional benefits, while
those who struggle to maintain relationships may
suffer from isolation. A young adult who develops
strong friendships in college may feel more intimacy
than one who struggles to form and maintain close
friendships.
Stage 7 — Middle Adulthood:
Generativity vs. Stagnation
• In middle adulthood, people tend to struggle with
their contributions to society. They may be busy
raising children or pursuing careers. Those who feel
that they’re contributing experience generativity,
which is the sense of leaving a legacy. On the other
hand, those who don’t feel that their work or lives
matter may experience feelings of stagnation. For
example, a middle-aged adult who’s raising a family
and working in a career that presumably helps
people may feel more fulfilled than an adult who’s
working at a day job that feels meaningless.
Stage 8 — Late Adulthood: Integrity vs.
Despair
• As adults reach the end of life, they look back on their lives and
reflect. Adults who feel fulfilled by their lives, either through a
successful family or a meaningful career, reach ego integrity, in
which they can face aging and dying with peace. If older adults don’t
feel that they’ve lived a good life, they risk falling into despair.
What Are the Genetic Factors That Affect
Human Growth and Development?
• One more key element of human growth and
development left to explore is genetics. Genetics
influences the speed and way in which people
develop, though other factors, such as parenting,
education, experiences, and socioeconomic factors,
are also at play.
• The multiple genetic factors that affect human
growth and development include genetic
interactions and sex chromosome abnormalities.
Genetic Interactions

• Genes can act in an additive way or sometimes

conflict with one another.
• For example, a child with one tall parent and one
short parent may end up between the two of them, at
average height.
• Phenotypes
• Dominant and Recessive Gene
Gene-Environment Interactions

• Humans’ genetic information is always interacting

with the environment, and sometimes this can
impact development and growth.
• For example, if a child in utero is exposed to drugs,
the child’s cognitive abilities may be impacted, thus
changing the developmental process. In addition,
even if a child’s genes would indicate a tall height, if
that child experiences poor nutrition as children, it
may impact their height.
• Developmental psychology is defined as a scientific
approach to explaining growth, change, and consistency
throughout a lifetime. It uses various frameworks to
understand how people develop and transform throughout
their lives.
• In the real world, developmental psychology is used in the
study of physical, psychological, emotional, social,
personality, and perceptual development.
Why Do We Study Human Growth and
Development?
• The study of human growth and development offers a wealth
of value for personal and professional growth and
understanding. Many reasons exist for why we study human
growth and development.
• Common benefits include the following:
• To gain a better understanding of one’s own life
experiences. This can help people personally reach an
understanding of what childhood events shaped their
adulthood.
• To gain knowledge of how social context impacts
development. This knowledge can be invaluable for
professionals like teachers as they gain a deeper
understanding of their students.
• To help others understand and contextualize the ups and
downs of life. This helps therapists and psychologists better
aid their clients in self-discovery.
• To understand how societal change can support
growth and development. This understanding helps
decision-makers in schools change the educational culture
for the better.
• To become a more effective research, teacher, or leader in
many different industries. Understanding human
development deeply and in context has many professional
benefits that can lead to greater insight.
• To support the physical and mental health of
individuals throughout their life span. Professionals like
doctors, nurses, and therapists must understand human
growth and development to better support their clients.
• Human development is a wide-reaching and
ever-changing discipline. A knowledge of
human development can be invaluable to
people personally as they continue to learn
and grow throughout their lives and
professionally as they learn to apply what
they’ve learned to their careers.