Year 1 · Plants and animals · Section 1.4
Human development
Development
Humans undergo different forms of development throughout life. These changes affect both body and mind.
- Physical development: Changes in the body, including growth and maturation. For example, a girl develops into an adult woman.
- Mental development: Changes in thinking, feelings and personality.
- Motor development: Learning movements and skills, such as walking or cycling.
Life stages
This course divides human life into eight life stages, each with its own typical changes:
- Baby (0–1½ years): Depends on others and grows rapidly, particularly during the first year.
- Toddler (1½–4 years): Develops language and movement skills, including walking.
- Young child (4–6 years): Learns skills such as cycling, drawing, playing games and playing with other children.
- School-age child (6–12 years): Develops reading, writing and arithmetic skills.
- Young teenager (12–16 years): Undergoes rapid physical and mental changes during puberty. The reproductive system matures and emotions may change strongly.
- Late adolescent (16–21 years): Develops greater independence and responsibility.
- Adult (21–65 years): Usually takes responsibility for their own life and work.
- Older adult (65+ years): May experience a decline in some physical abilities and may need more support.
These ages are approximate course categories, not strict biological boundaries. People grow and develop at different rates. Not every older person needs help, and independence varies at every age.
Glossary
- Late adolescent
- In this course, someone aged approximately 16–21, developing independence and responsibility.
- Baby
- A child aged approximately 0–1½, dependent on others and growing rapidly.
- Elderly person
- An older adult; care needs vary between individuals.
- Mental development
- Development of thinking, feelings and personality.
- Growth spurt
- A period of rapid growth, for example during puberty.
- Young child
- In this course, a child aged approximately 4–6, developing skills such as drawing and playing together.
- Life stages
- The eight periods used here to describe typical changes during human life.
- Physical development
- Changes in the body, including growth and maturation.
- Motor development
- Learning movements and physical skills, such as walking or cycling.
- Older adult
- Someone aged 65 or over in this course's classification.
- Toddler
- In this course, a child aged approximately 1½–4, developing language and movement skills.
- Young teenager
- Someone aged approximately 12–16 in this course, often experiencing puberty and rapid development.
- Puberty
- The period in which the body becomes sexually mature, accompanied by physical and emotional changes. Timing varies.
- School-age child
- A child aged approximately 6–12 in this course, developing reading, writing and arithmetic skills.
- Adult
- Someone aged approximately 21–65 in this course's classification.