2. Unit 4: Development through the Life Stages
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technicals in Health and Social Care
Introduction to
Unit 4: Development through the Life Stages

3. Introduction
During a person’s lifetime, they travel through a number of life stages.
During each life stage, people will experience both predictable and unpredictable major life events.
Within each life stage, lifestyle factors may influence a person’s growth and development.

4. Foetal development Biological life factors, eg:
Foetal alcohol syndrome
Effects of maternal lifestyle, diet or infections during pregnancy
Congenital defects

5. Infancy (0-3 years) Unpredictable life events may include:
Separation from parents
Starting pre-school or nursery
Serious injury
Bereavement
Illness

6. Childhood (4-9 years) Unpredictable life events may include:
Birth of sibling
Being placed in care
Making friends
Starting school
Illness

7. Adolescence (10-18 years) Unpredictable life events may include:
Bereavement
Secondary school/ further education
Criminal activity
Starting work
Leaving home
Convictions

8. Adulthood (19-65 years) Unpredictable life events may include:
Divorce
Bereavement
Employment
Marriage
Unemployment
Redundancy
Parenthood
Menopause
Insolvency

9. Older Adulthood (19-65 years)
Unpredictable life events may include:
Predictable life events may include:
Loss of partner
Retirement
Bereavement
Becoming a main carer

10. Life factors
Throughout each of these stages, people will encounter various environmental and socio-economic factors that could lead to delayed or arrested development, such as:
Employment status
Sport
Occupations
Income
Exercise
Lifestyle choices
Housing
Pollution
Access to social care services
Access to health care
Diet
Hobbies
Access to recreational facilities
Alcohol
Drugs
Education

11. What will you learn? After completing this unit you will:
Know stages of growth and development throughout the human lifespan
Understand potential effects of life factors and events on the development of the individual
Understand physical and psychological changes of ageing

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