1.1 Identify the life stages of human development.
There are six major life stages of human development, and they are:
Infancy: This is the stage of life from birth to around 24 months old. During this stage, babies are learning to develop their essential motor and cognitive skills.
Childhood: This stage of life generally extends from around 24 months old until the age of 12 years old. During this stage, children are learning and growing rapidly as they gain more independence and discover their own interests and personality traits.
Adolescence: This stage of life generally extends from around 12 years old until the age of 17 years old. Adolescence is a time of significant physical, cognitive and emotional changes as teenagers become more independent and begin to explore their own identities. Adolescents may experiment with different roles and hobbies as they try to create an image of themselves that they’re comfortable with.
Early Adulthood: This stage of life generally extends from around 18 years old until the age of 30 years old. During this stage, young adults are typically finishing their education, establishing their careers and beginning to form adult relationships. The phase of early adulthood is typically characterized by a search for identity and independence. This is a time when individuals are exploring who they are and what they want out of life. They may experiment with different lifestyles, careers, and relationships. It is a time of self-discovery and growth.
Middle Adulthood: This stage of life generally extends from around 30 years old until the age of 65 years old. The middle adulthood phase can be generally described as the period in life between young adulthood and old age. It is a time when people are typically in their prime, when they are at their physical and mental peak, and when they are typically more stable and secure than at any other time in their lives. This is also a time when people can be more focused and successful in their careers and personal relationships.
Late Adulthood: This stage of life generally extends from around 65 to the end of life. The late adulthood phase is typically marked by a decrease in physical activity and an increase in sedentary behaviour. This is often accompanied by a decrease in mental sharpness and an increase in forgetfulness. Individuals in this stage of life are typically more prone to chronic health problems and age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Other answers in the full document:
- 1.2. Describe social, emotional, cognitive and physical developments within each life stage.
- 2.1. Describe theories of human growth and development.
- 3.1. Explain significant life events that can occur within each stage of human development.
- 3.2. Analyse the impact that significant life events have on individuals.