1. Exploring human development

2. The human lifespan An individual’s lifespan is the length of time that a person lives – from conception to death The human lifespan can be broken into segments: – Prenatal period (conception to birth) – Infancy (birth to 2 years) – Childhood (2 to 12 years) – Youth (12 to 18 years) – Adulthood (18 years+)

3. Dimensions of human development  Human development relates to physical, social emotional and intellectual components or dimensions  These are known as the dimensions of human development

4. Physical development Refers to changes in the complexity, structure and function of the body, including growth For example: – Change in weight and height that usually occur during the first 15 to 20 years after birth – Rapid growth at infancy – Change in body shape over lifespan – Sexual maturation at puberty – Changes in the production of hormones, for example at puberty and menopause

5. Gross and Fine motor skills  Gross motor skills refers to the ability to control the movement of larger muscle groups within the body  Fine motor skills refers to the ability to control the movement of smaller muscle groups within the body  Complete Activity 1.5 on page 12

6. Social development  Refers to changes and improvements in people’s abilities to interact with others, relate to other people and learn to live in social groups  A lifelong process  Includes complex behaviour such as using language

7. Emotional development  Refers to the capacity to recognise, express and control feelings and emotions  Includes development of self-esteem and self-confidence

8. Intellectual development  Refers to changes in mental skills and abilities  Includes the capacity to:  Learn new things and understand concepts  Remember  Think logically  Be creative and imaginative  Solve problems

9. Interrelationship between the dimensions of human development All of the dimensions of human development are interrelated, for example: – Changes that occur at puberty (physical development) can have an effect on self- esteem (emotional development) – Being part of a group (social development) can help a person gain new skills (intellectual development)

10. Interrelationships between health and human development  The interrelationships between health and human development can be described as a complex web  Optimal health requires optimal development  Optimal development requires optimal health

11. Interrelationships between health and human development  Optimal health is achieving the best possible health to which someone can realistically aspire, in some or all three dimensions of health (physical, social and mental)  Optimal health also requires optimal physical, social, emotional and intellectual development