STAGES OF HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT
AND
DEVELOPMENT
TASKS
1. Pre-natal Period
2. Infancy (birth – 2 years)
3. Early Childhood (3 – 5 years)
4. Middle and Late Childhood (6 to 12 years)
5. Adolescence (13 – 18 years)
6. Early Adulthood (19 – 29 years)
7. Middle Adulthood (30 – 60 years)
8. Late Adulthood (61 years and above)
3 phases
germinal stage = first 2 weeks
conception, implantation, formation of placenta
embryonic stage = 2 weeks – 2 months
formation of vital organs and systems
fetal stage = 2 months – birth
bodily growth continues, movement capability
begins, brain cells multiply age of viability
Overview of fetal development
It involves tremendous growth – from a single cell to an
organism complete with brain and behavioral capabilities
• extreme dependence on adults
• beginning psychological activities:
• language, symbolic thought, sensorimotor
coordination and social learning
•language of newborn is the cry
• usually eats every 2 to 3 hours
• uncoordinated movements
• toothless
• poor vision (focusing range 8 to 12 inches)
• usually doubles weight by 9 months
• responds to human voice & touch
•change from plump baby to leaner
more muscular toddler
• begins to walk & talk
•ability for passive language
(better understanding of what’s
being said)
• tentative sense of independence
• determined explorer
• begins to communicate verbally (name, etc.)
• can usually speak in 3 to 4 word sentences
• famous for negative behavior
“NO!” to everything! temper
tantrums
•will play side by side other children, but does not
actively play with them
• great imitators
•wants to be just like parents
•vocabulary and pronunciation continue to
expand
• climbs stairs with alternating feet
• can briefly stand on one foot
•sentences are more complex; speaks well
enough for strangers to understand
•imagination is vivid; line between what is
real & imaginary is often indistinct
•develops fears (common fears: fear of dark,
fear of animals, & fear of death)
• can hop on one foot & skip
• can accurately copy figures
• may begin to read
• socialize with other children their age
•both large & small muscles well-developed
•developed complex motor skills
•from independent activities to same sex
group activities
• acceptance by peers very important
• parental approval still important
• traumatic life stage for child & parent
• puberty occurs
• extremely concerned with
appearance
• trying to establish self-identity
• confrontations with authority
• physical development complete
•emotional maturation continues to develop
•usually learned to accept responsibility for
actions & accept criticism
• usually knows how to profit from errors
•socially progress from age-related peer
groups to people with similar interests
• physical changes begin to occur:
• hair begins to thin & gray
• wrinkles appear
• hearing & vision decrease
• muscles lose tone
•main concerns: children, health, job security, aging
parents, & fear of aging
• love & acceptance still take a major role
• fastest growing age bracket of society
•physical deterioration (brittle bones, poor coordination)
•some memory problems
•coping with retirement & forms of entertainment
•very concerned with health & finances
•significant number become depressed; suicide rate is
high
Developmental Tasks
› One that “arises at a certain period
in our life, the successful
achievement of which leads to
happiness and success with later
tasks while failure leads to
unhappiness, social disapproval, and
difficulty with later tasks.” by Robert
Havighurst , 1972
Developmental Tasks
› What is an outstanding trait or
behavior of each stage?
› What task/s is/are expected
of each development stage?
› Does a developmental task in a
higher level require
accomplishment of the lower level
of developmental tasks?
Developmental Tasks
Infancy and Early Childhood (0-5 ) Middle Childhood (6-12)
Learning to w k Learning physical sk ls necessary for
ordinary games
Learning to take solid f d Building a wholesome att de toward
oneself
Learning to t k Learning to get along with age
Learning to control the elimination of Learning an appropriate s_x role
body w te
Learning s_x differences and sexual Developing fundamental skills in reading,
modesty writing, and cal ing
Acquiring concepts and language to Developing concepts necessary for
describe so l and physical reality everyday living
Readiness for r ding Developing conscience, mo lity, and a
scale or val s
Learning to distinguish right from Achieving personal in dence
and developing conscience Developing acceptable attitudes toward
society
Developmental Tasks
Adolescence (13-18 ) Early Adulthood (19-29)
Achieving mature relations with both Selecting a mate
sexes
Achieving a masculine or feminine social Learning to live with a partner
role
Accepting one’s physique Starting a family
Achieving emotional independence of Rearing children
adults
Preparing for marriage and family life Managing a home
Preparing for an economic career Starting an occupation
Acquiring values and an ethical system to Assuming civic responsibility
guide behavior
Desiring and achieving socially responsible
behavior
Developmental Tasks
Middle Adulthood (30-60 ) Later Maturity (61 and over)
Helping teenage children to become Adjusting to decreasing strength and
happy and responsible adults health
Achieving adult social and civic Adjusting to retirement and reduced
responsibility income
Satisfactory career achievement Adjusting to death of spouse
Developing adult leisure time activities Establishing relations with one’s own age
group
Relating to one’s spouse as a person Meeting social and civic obligaiton
Accepting the physiological changes of Establishing satisfactory living quarters
middle age
Adjusting to aging parent
