Life-span Development
Topics Characteristics of the following life stages: Infancy Toddler Preschooler School-aged Adolescent Early Adult Middle-aged Adult Late-aged Adult
Normal Vital Signs
Infancy
Physiological Development The younger the child, the more rapid the pulse and respirations. Blood pressure is related to age and weight.
Weight Normal birth weight is 3.0 3.5 kg. Weight drops within first week due to excretion of extracellular fluid. First month infants grow approximately 30 grams per day. Infant s head is equal to 25% of the total body weight.
Infants double their weight by 4 to 6 months old and triple it by 9 to 12 months.
Cardiovascular System Several changes occur to transition the infant from fetal to pulmonary circulation: The ductus venosus constricts. The foramen ovale closes. The ductus arteriosus constricts.
Pulmonary System Infant s airway is shorter, narrower, less stable, and more easily obstructed than at any other time. Infants are obligate nose breathers. Lung tissue is fragile. Accessory muscles are immature. Chest wall is less rigid; ribs are horizontal, causing diaphragmatic breathing.
Renal System Kidneys are unable to produce concentrated urine, so infants are much more easily dehydrated.
Immune System The fetus acquires some of the mother s immunity which may remain active for six months to a year after birth.
Nervous System (1 of 2) Infants lack ability to localize pain. Infants have several reflexes that disappear over time: Moro reflex (startle) Palmar grasp Rooting reflex Sucking reflex
Nervous System (2 of 2) Fontanelles allow for compression of head during childbirth and allow for rapid growth of brain. Newborns sleep 16 18 hours daily, evenly distributed over a 24-hour period. Sleep decreases to 14 16 hours, with a 9 10 hour period at night.
Musculoskeletal System Extremities grow from growth plates. Epiphyseal plates are secondary growth centers.
Other Characteristics (1 of 3) Two Months Three Months Four Months Five Months Recognizes familiar faces and objects. Moves objects to mouth, displays primary emotion. Reaches out to people. Sleeps through the night, differentiates between family and strangers.
Other Characteristics (2 of 3) Six Months Seven Months Eight Months Nine Months Sits upright, makes single syllable sounds. Exhibits fear of strangers. Responds to the word "no," sits alone, plays "peek-a-boo." Pulls up to standing position, explores objects by mouthing, sucking, chewing, and biting them.
Other Characteristics (3 of 3) Ten Months Eleven Months Twelve Months Pays attention to name, crawls well. Attempts to walk without assistance, shows frustration about restrictions. Can walk without help, knows name.
Psychosocial Development
Family Processes and Reciprocal Socialization Crying Attachment Trust vs. mistrust
Crying Crying is an infant s only means of communication. Mothers quickly learn to distinguish the differences between cries.
Attachment Secure attachment infant learns that caregivers will be responsive and helpful when needed. Anxious resistant attachment infant learns to be uncertain about whether or not caregivers will be responsive. Anxious avoidant attachment infant learns that caregivers will not be responsive or helpful when needed.
Trust vs. Mistrust Infant wants the world to be an orderly place where causes and effects can be anticipated. Infant develops trust when he or she can count on consistent parental care. Mistrust develops if he or she cannot count on parental care.
Scaffolding is a teaching/learning method whereby the infant builds on what he or she already knows.
Easy child: Temperament Regular body functions. Low or moderate intensity of reactions. Accepts new situations. Difficult child: Irregular body functions. Intense reactions. Withdrawal from new situations. Slow-to-warm-up child: Low intensity of reactions and somewhat negative mood.
Parental Separation Stages Protest Despair Detachment or withdrawal
Toddler and Preschool Age
A toddler beginning to stand and walk on his own.
Body System Changes (1 of 3) Cardiovascular: Capillary beds better developed and assist in thermoregulation. Hemoglobin levels approach normal adult levels. Pulmonary: Alveoli increase in number. Chest muscles still immature.
Body System Changes (2 of 3) Renal: Kidneys well developed. Urine characteristics similar to adult. Immune: Passivity immunity is lost and child is susceptible to minor respiratory and GI infections. Nervous: Brain at 90% of adult weight. Myelination has increased. Fine motor skills developing.
Body System Changes (3 of 3) Musculoskeletal: Muscle mass and bone density increase. Dental: All primary teeth have erupted by the age of 36 months. Senses: Visual acuity is 20/30 during toddler years. Hearing reaches maturity at 3 to 4 years old.
In the preschool-age child, exploratory behavior accelerates.
Psychosocial Development (1 of 2) Cognition: Starts to grasp meaning of words at 1 year. By 3 or 4, has mastered basics of language. Between 18 and 24 months, begins to understand cause and effect. By 24 to 36 months, develops magical thinking and engages in play-acting. Play: Able to play simple games and follow basic rules.
Psychosocial Development (2 of 2) Sibling relationships: Sibling rivalry may occur. Peer group functions: Provide source of information about other families and the outside world.
Parenting Styles Authoritarian parents are demanding and desire instant obedience. Authorative parents believe both they and the children have rights and try to maintain a balance. Permissive parents take a tolerant, accepting view of a child s behavior.
Divorce and Child Development (1 of 2) Express feelings of shock, depression, and fear that their parents no longer love them. May feel abandoned. Cannot see the divorce from the parent s perspective.
Television: Divorce and Child Development (2 of 2) TV violence increases aggression. Increases passive acceptance of use of aggression by others. Modeling: Begins to recognize sexual differences and begins to incorporate gender-specific behaviors of parents, siblings, and peers.
School Age
School-age children are allowed more self-regulation and independence as they grow older.
Physiological Development Average child gains 3 kg per year. Vital signs reach adult levels. Lymph tissues are proportionately larger than those of an adult. Brain function increases in both hemispheres. Primary teeth are being replaced by permanent ones.
Psychosocial Development Development of self-concept. Begins to develop self-esteem. Moral development begins: Pre-conventional reasoning. Conventional reasoning. Post-conventional reasoning.
Adolescence Ages 12 to 18 years old
Children reach reproductive maturity during adolescence.
Physiological Development Usually experience a rapid twoto three-year growth spurt. Both males and females reach reproductive maturity. Muscle mass and bone growth are complete.
Psychosocial Development Family conflict may occur as the adolescent strives for autonomy and parents strive for continued control. Privacy and modesty become important. There is a need to be treated as an adult. There is increased idealism, which leads to disappointment. Depression and suicide are more common at this age than any other.
Ethical Development Development of logical, analytical, and abstract thinking occurs. A personal code of ethics develops.
Early Adulthood Ages 20 to 40 years old
Peak physical conditions occur in early adulthood.
Physiological Development (1 of 2) The body begins its slowing process. Spinal discs settle, leading to decreased height. Fatty tissue increases, leading to weight gain. Childbirth is common in this stage.
Physiological Development (2 of 2) Muscle strength decreases. Accidents are the leading cause of death. The highest levels of job stress occur. Love develops.
Middle Adulthood Ages 41 to 60
People in middle adulthood still function at a high level.
Physiological Development (1 of 2) Hearing and visual changes occur. Cardiac output decreases and cholesterol levels increase. Cancer often strikes this age group. Weight control is more difficult.
Physiological Development (2 of 2) For women in their late 40s and early 50s, menopause commences. Offspring have left home, and empty-nest syndrome may occur. Often there are financial commitments to elderly parents and young adult children.
Late Adulthood Ages 61 and older
The ability to learn and adjust continues throughout life.
Cardiovascular System Vessel walls thicken. Increased peripheral vascular resistance, and reduced blood flow to organs. Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity. Decreased vessel elasticity. Heart starts showing disease. Functional blood volume decreases, as well as red blood cells.
Respiratory System Trachea and large airways increase in diameter. Decreased surface area of lungs as well as decreased elasticity in the lungs. Coughing is less effective due to weakened chest wall and bone structures.
Endocrine System Glucose metabolism and insulin production decrease. The thyroid shows diminished triiodothyronine production. Cortisol is diminished by 25%. The pituitary is 20% less effective. The reproductive organs atrophy in women.
Gastrointestinal System (1 of 2) Tooth loss can lead to dietary changes, increased chance of malnutrition, vitamin and mineral deficiency. The swallowing mechanism changes. Peristalsis is decreased and the gastric sphincter is less effective.
Gastrointestinal System (2 of 2) Stomach secretions decrease. Intestines atrophy. Metabolism and absorption change.
Renal System Reduced kidney function leads to decreased clearance of some drugs and decreased elimination. The kidneys hormonal response to dehydration is reduced. The kidneys are less able to modify vitamin D to a more active form.
The Senses Taste buds diminish. Smell declines, and parts of the brain involved in smell degenerate. Response to pain is diminished. Ability to sense movement diminishes. Visual acuity decreases, reaction times increase. Hearing decreases.
The Nervous System Neurotransmitters are decreased. Loss of coordination and memory. Sleep problems may occur.
Psychosocial Development The terminal drop hypothesis states that death is preceded by a five-year period of decreasing cognitive function.
Challenges Housing becomes a challenge. Maintaining a sense of self-worth becomes a problem as it is harder to care for themselves. Finances become stressful with retirement and the decreased ability to work.
Dying Companions or Death Because of the death or impending death of companions, fear and grief are present. People must go through the stages of the grieving process.
Summary 4 Characteristics of the following life stages: Infancy Toddler Preschooler School-aged Adolescent Early Adult Middle-aged Adult Late-aged Adult