1.1 Describe physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development for each of the life stages of an individual.
Infancy is the stage of life from birth to 2 years old. Physically, infants develop gross motor skills, such as rolling over and crawling, before developing fine motor skills, like grasping objects with their hands (McLeod, 2019). Intellectually, they start recognising faces and sounds while learning primary language through imitation. Emotionally and socially, bonding occurs between an infant and caregiver, where trust is established.
During childhood (ages 3-11), children’s physical development includes improving hand-eye coordination for tasks such as writing or catching a ball. Intellectual abilities advance rapidly due to exposure to formal education that introduces them to reading comprehension strategies while providing opportunities for creative expression in various subjects (Woolfolk et al., 2021). Socially and emotionally, children begin forming friendships outside of the home environment, resulting in greater independence; they may also experience anxiety about schoolwork or fitting into peer groups.
Adolescence marks a period characterised by significant hormonal changes leading up until young adulthood (~18 years old). Physical development is centred around puberty, where individuals experience significant growth spurts and changes in body composition, leading to improved athleticism (Lerner et al., 2016). Intellectually, adolescents gain more advanced reasoning skills but still require guidance with important life decisions like choosing universities. Emotional and social connections become increasingly important as they strive to establish their identities while struggling with self-esteem.
Early adulthood (ages 18-40) marks a period of stability for most people when physical health usually peaks before it slowly declines from the late twenties onwards. Intellectual abilities continue developing due to continued formal education or vocational training to improve job prospects and career goals (Arnett & Taber, 1994). Socially, this stage is marked by establishing independence through careers or starting families; emotionally, young adults may struggle to balance competing demands on time while trying not to sacrifice personal fulfilment.
Middle adulthood ranges from age 41 until retirement (~65), characterised by potential mid-life crises that encourage introspection. Physically, individuals may begin to experience health problems like chronic conditions that limit mobility and quality of life (Lachman & Agrigoroaei, 2010). Intellectually, this stage is marked by expertise in a given field and wisdom derived from the cumulative experiences of adulthood. Socially, middle-aged adults continue developing relationships with co-workers or peers while balancing commitments at home and work-life demands.
Late adulthood refers to people over 65 years old, where physical changes become more pronounced due partly to age-related degeneration within most organs (Aboderin et al., 2021). Intellectual abilities tend to be relatively stable, but some aspects decline, such as memory recall speed, which can make it difficult for elderly adults when learning new information quickly without help. Emotionally, seniors often deal with loss; retirement or the death of loved ones taking on added importance during this period.
Throughout an individual’s lifespan, they undergo significant physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development across different stages of life. These developments can be observed through physical changes in motor skills, hormonal changes during puberty, intellectual advancements from formal education or vocational training, and emotional stability gained through interpersonal connections. The importance of social bonds is highlighted as they provide people with support throughout their lives; the formation and maintenance processes become especially crucial when navigating tough times such as job loss or illness (Helliwell et al., 2020).
Other answers in the full document:
- 1.2 Identify key changes from birth to old age affecting health and wellbeing.
- 1.3 Explain developmental norms and milestones.
- 2.1 Identify life factors and events which affect growth and development.
- 2.2 Explain potential effects of life factors and events on the growth and development of individuals.
- 3.1 Explain physical and psychological changes linked to ageing.
- 3.2 Explain lifestyle choices associated with ageing.
- 4.1 Identify transitions and significant life events across the life stages.
- 4.2 Describe the impact that transitions and significant life events may have on individuals.
- 4.3 Explain the role of the health and social care practitioner in supporting individuals during transition and significant life events.