Life Changes: The Process of Change

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT n Begins with birth n Ends with death

LIFE STAGES n Persons differ greatly n Every person passes through certain stages of growth and development

CLASSIFICATIONS SEVEN STAGES n Infancy- birth to 1 year n Early childhood years n Late childhood years n Adolescence years n Early adulthood years n Middle adulthood years n Late adulthood - 65 and up

TYPES OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 4 TYPES 9 Physical: Body growth 9 Mental:development of mind 9 Emotional:feelings 9 Social:interactions & relationship

CHARACTERISTICS OF STAGES 9 Tasks progress from simple to complex 9 foundations for the next stage 9 rate of accomplishment varies

Infancy: Birth to 1 Year Ages birth - 1 year of age

Physical Development Dramatic & Rapid changes n Tripled weight n Teeth n Vision n Reflex Actions: Moro (startle), Rooting, Sucking, Grasp

Motor Development n 2 months: roll from side to back n 4 months: hold head up while sitting with support n 7 months: crawl n 12 months: walk without assistance

Mental Development Rapid during first year respond to discomforts pain, cold, or hunger by crying gradually become more aware of surroundings recognize individuals learning activities grow speech

Social Development Progresses from the total self-centered concept of the newborn to a gradual recognition of others in the environment 4 months recognize persons who care for them smile stare at others 6 months watch activities of others show signs of possessiveness shy or withdrawn from strangers

Social Development 12 months shy with strangers socialize freely with familiar people mimic & imitate gestures like facial expressions and vocal sounds

Emotional n Newborns show excitement n 4-6 months: distress, delight, anger, fear n 12 months: elation and affection

Needs n Dependent on others for ALL needs n Food, cleanliness, and rest are essential for physical growth n Stimulation is essential for mental growth n Love and security are essential for emotional and social growth

EARLY CHILDHOOD Ages 1 – 6 Years

Physical Development n Slower than during infancy n Skeletal and muscle development helps a child look more like an adult n legs & lower body tend to grow more rapidly then the head, arms & chest n muscle coordination n run, climb, and move freely n finger muscles develop learns to write, draw & use a fork & knife

Physical continued n Age 2-3 years n most teeth have erupted n digestive system is mature enough to handle most adult food n Age 2-4 years n learn bowel & bladder control

Mental Development n Advances rapidly during early childhood n Verbal growth n Progresses from several words at age 1 to 1,500 -2,500 words by age 6

Mental Development n 2 year olds n short attention span n interested in many activities n remember details n begins understanding concepts

Mental Development n 4 year old n ask frequent questions n recognize letters and some words n begin to make decisions based on logic rather than trial & error

Mental Development n 6 YR OLD n Very Verbal n wants to learn how to read n Memory has developed n make decisions based on both past and present experiences

Emotional Development n Ages 1 to 2 n Develops self awareness and the effect they have on others n Limits are usually established for safety n Anger, temper tantrums may occur if desired performance not accomplished n Likes routine. Becomes stubborn, angry, or frustrated when changes occur

Emotional Development n Ages n gain more control over emotions n know right or wrong n more independent n less anxiety when faced with new experiences

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT n Separation anxiety n Playing alongside other children is more common than playing with other children n 4- 6 years: n Gradually puts “self” aside. n Trust and effort to please others develops n Friends of their own age become important

Needs n Food, rest shelter, protection, love and security n Routine, order, consistency in daily life n Taught to be responsible and must learn how to conform to rules

LATE CHILDHOOD 6 – 12 Years

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Slow but steady Gain 5-7 pounds per year Ht increase 2-3 inches per year Muscle coordination well developed Physical activities that require complex motor-sensory skills Loose primary teeth. Permanent teeth erupt Visual acuity the best sexual maturation may begin

MENTAL DEVELOPMENT Increases due to school Speech skills develop more completely Reading & writing should be learned Information used to solve problems Memory becomes more complex Understands more abstract concepts Loyalty, honesty, values,and morals

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Age 6 Frightened and uncertain as they begin school Reassuring parents and success in school helps gain self-confidence Fears replaced with coping abilities Learn to control emotions

Emotional Development 10 – 12 Years: Sexual maturation and body changes can lead to periods of depression followed by periods of joy Restless and anxious Difficult to understand

SOCIAL CHANGES 7 years: Activities they can do by self Approval of others especially parents and friends 8-10 years: Group oriented with members of their own gender Accept opinions of others Conform to rules and behavior of the group

Social Development 10 – 12 Years: n Tend to make friends more easily n Increasing awareness of opposite sex n Gradually move away from parents

NEEDS Basic needs Reassurance Parental approval Peer acceptance

ADOLESCENCE Ages

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT n Growth spurts can cause rapid increases in height and weight n awkwardness or clumsiness n Puberty n development of the sexual organs and secondary sexual characteristics n secretions of sex hormones

MENTAL DEVELOPMENT Increase knowledge and social skills Learn to make decisions; accept responsibility for actions Treated both like child and adult

Emotional Development n Often stormy and in conflict n Concerned about their appearance n Respond more to peer groups n May create a conflict with vales previously established

Emotional Development Later adolescence: n Self-Identity has been established n Feel more comfortable with who they are n Concerned about career – who and what they may become

Social Development n Spend less time with family and more time with peer group n Security in groups of people their own age and similarities n Develop a more mature attitude and patterns of behavior

Needs n Reassurance, support and understanding n If needs not met problems that may develop include: n Eating disorders n Drug and alcohol abuse n Suicide

Eating Disorders n Often develops from an excessive concern with appearance n Anorexia Nervosa n Bulimia

Chemical Abuse n Development of a physical and /or mental dependence on these chemicals. n Trying to relieve anxiety or stress n Peer pressure n Escape from problems n Experimentation

Suicide n One of the leading causes of death in adolescents n Reasons n Depression n Grief n Failure in school n Not meeting expectations n Lack of self-esteem

Suicide Warning Signs n Verbal statements such as “I’d rather be dead,” or “you’d be better off without me” n Sudden changes in appetite and sleep habits n Withdrawal and moodiness n Excessive fatigue or agitation n Alcohol or drug abuse

Early Adulthood Ages 20 – 40

Physical n Development complete n Motor coordination is at its peak n Prime childbearing time and usually produces the healthiest babies

Mental n High decision making time: n Additional education n Career n Marriage n Family n Lifestyle

Emotional n Subject to emotional stresses of decision making n Find satisfaction in their achievements n Take responsibility for their actions n Accept criticism and profit from mistakes

Social n Move away from peer group and instead associate with others who have similar ambitions and interests, regardless of age n Development of personal family

Middle Adulthood Ages

Physical n Hair begins to gray and thin n Skin begins to wrinkle n Muscle tone decreases n Hearing loss starts n Visual acuity declines n Weight gain occurs

Physical n Female n Menopause: end of menstruation, decreased hormone production n Male n Male climacteric: decreased hormone production leads to physical and psychological changes n Never lose the ability to produce sperm or reproduce except in cases of injury, disease or surgery

Mental n Mental ability continues to increase n Learned to cope with different stresses n Confident in decision-making and excellent in analyzing situations

Emotional n Can be a period of contentment and satisfaction or it can be a time of crisis n Job stability, financial success, end of child rearing and good health = Emotional Satisfaction n Job loss, fear of aging, loss of youth and vitality, illness, marital problems = Depression, anxiety, anger

Social n Family relationships may see a decline as children begin lives of their own and parents die n Marriages can become stronger with more time together or dissolve if remained together “for the children’s sake”.

Late Adulthood Ages 65 and up

Physical n All body systems are affected by decline with changes that slowly occur over time n Due to better health and better living conditions, many do not show physical changes of aging until their 70s – 80s

Mental n Mental abilities vary n Short-term memory is usually the first to decline n Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Emotional n Adjustment is necessary! n Retirement, death of a spouse and friends, loss of independence, and knowledge that life must end can all cause emotional distress. n At risk for loneliness and depression

Social n Retirement can lead to less contact with others and a more limited circle of friends usually occurs. n Developments of new social contacts is important

Needs n Sense of belonging n Self-esteem n Financial security n Social acceptance n Love