Growth and Developmental Stages in Human

Growth and development in human beings

Human beings, like other animals, show growth and development. Growth in humans is diffuse, meaning it occurs all over the body. Development is an increase in the complexity of an organism, which includes growth, differentiation, wound healing, tissue regeneration, aging, and death. Growth and development in humans can be divided into two main stages:

i. Pre-natal growth and development: This occurs in the womb before the body is born.

ii. Post-natal growth and development: This takes place after birth.

Human post-natal growth and development

Human post-natal growth and development comprises five main stages:

i. Childhood

ii. Adolescence

iii. Adulthood

iv. Old Age (Senescence)

v. Death

Childhood (infancy stage)

Childhood is the period from birth to sexual maturity (about 11 years old). Childhood has several stages:

1. Neonatal
2. Older baby
3. Toddler
4. Early childhood
5. Late childhood
6. Pre-adolescence

Neonatal stage

This stage lasts from birth to 5 months. Babies are referred to as neonates during this time.

Changes:

1. Babies can lie on their backs and attempt to roll over. They exhibit crying, movement of arms, legs, and heads, as well as sucking and swallowing.
2. Babies suck anything they can find and put it in their mouths.
3. Neonates can see a distance of about 20 cm, and they can hear, smell, and feel. They spend most of their time sleeping.
4. Crying is the primary way babies express feelings, including hunger, thirst, discomfort, and pain.
5. The baby's immune system is still immature and depends on immunity from the mother through breastfeeding.

Advantages of breastfeeding:

1. Creates a special bond between the mother and child.
2. Breast milk is at the right temperature for the baby.
3. Contains nearly all nutrients needed for growth and development.
4. It is safe and free from contamination.
5. Colostrum, the first milk, is rich in antibodies that protect the baby from infections.

Reasons for substituting mother's milk:

1. The mother's death.
2. Inability to produce enough milk.
3. Multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.).
4. If the mother has easily transmitted diseases like tuberculosis.

Older baby stage

This stage is from 6 to 12 months.

Changes:

1. By 6 months, the baby can control their head and sit without support.
2. At 7 months, the baby learns to crawl.
3. By 9 to 12 months, the baby starts to walk.
4. Teething begins during this period.
5. The baby starts responding to their name and familiar words.

Toddler stage

This stage occurs between 1 and 3 years.

Changes:

1. The brain develops by 90%.
2. The child learns to control urination and defecation.
3. By 2.5 to 3 years, all 20 milk teeth emerge.
4. The immune system matures.
5. The child can express emotions through gestures (e.g., raising arms to be picked up).
6. By 12 to 14 months, the child imitates adults, such as pretending to cook.
7. Socialization and independent feeding begin by 19 to 24 months.
8. At 25 to 36 months, children may express emotions like jealousy and fear.

Early childhood

Early childhood spans ages 4 to 6 years.

Changes:

1. The child experiences rapid growth due to a good appetite.
2. Motor coordination develops, allowing the child to walk, jump, and skip.
3. The child becomes curious and imaginative.
4. They begin to understand concepts of right and wrong.

Late childhood

Late childhood occurs from 7 to 9 years, and children are usually in primary school.

Changes:

1. Children become very active and take on simple responsibilities.
2. They enjoy socializing and belong to peer groups.
3. They start to help with household chores and assist in daily activities.
4. By this stage, children prefer friends of the same sex.
5. They are receptive to their peers' opinions but still value their parents' guidance.

Pre-adolescence

This stage occurs between 10 and 11 years.

Changes:

1. Growth begins to accelerate.
2. Appetite increases.
3. Secondary sexual characteristics begin to emerge (e.g., breast growth in girls and pubic hair in both sexes).
4. Children still prefer same-sex friends.
5. Peer influence increases, and social life becomes more important.

Common problems in infancy (childhood)

1. Constipation: Difficulty passing faeces, treated by increasing water, fruit juice, and vegetable intake.
2. Excessive Crying: Can be caused by hunger, thirst, pain, or discomfort.
3. Heat Rash: Itching and painful skin caused by excessive heat; can be relieved by moving to a cooler place.
4. Nappy Rash: Caused by wet nappies; prevent it by frequent changes and keeping the area clean and dry.
5. Diarrhoea: Can result from overfeeding or infection; treated by hydration and medical attention if excessive.
6. Colic: Pain in the abdomen caused by swallowed air; the baby should be gently held to release the air.

Services required to meet the needs of children

Services can be categorized into:

1. Essential (Basic) Services: Necessary for survival, including:
   1. Health care
   2. Warmth
   3. Shelter
   4. Clothing
   5. Protection from illness and injury
   6. Rest and sleep
2. Supportive Services: Help children grow socially, emotionally, and mentally. These include:
   1. Love and care
   2. Security
   3. Skill and habit training
   4. Discipline and independence training

Adolescence

Adolescence is the period of development between childhood and adulthood, generally from ages 12 to 18. It marks the time when sexual maturity is reached.

Puberty: During puberty, boys and girls experience the development of secondary sexual characteristics due to hormones (androgens in boys and oestrogen in girls).

Changes in boys:

1. Broader shoulders and chest.
2. Muscle growth.
3. Beard growth.
4. Deepening voice.
5. Development of sex organs and occasional nocturnal emissions (wet dreams).
6. Sperm production begins.

Changes in girls:

1. Enlargement of breasts.
2. Widening of the pelvic girdle (hips).
3. Ovulation and menstruation begin.
4. Enlargement of uterus and vulva.

Changes in both boys and girls:

1. Growth of hair in the pubic region and underarms.
2. Increased secretion of sex hormones.
3. Increased skin sweating.
4. Attraction to the opposite sex.
5. Pimples may appear.

Personal hygiene during adolescence

Adolescents should maintain cleanliness to avoid odors and infections, as the body produces more waste products during this period.

Hygiene tips:

1. Bathe daily and change into clean clothes.
2. Pay special attention to genitals, armpits, and feet.
3. Use deodorants to reduce body odor.
4. Treat acne by keeping the face clean and avoiding oily creams.
5. Girls should change sanitary pads regularly during menstruation to avoid odors.

Services required to meet the needs of adolescents

Adolescents require:

1. Healthy food for growth.
2. Emotional support and counseling.
3. Physical exercise.
4. Social skill development.
5. Security and a peaceful home environment.

Adulthood

Adulthood begins at ages 20-55 years. Individuals are physiologically, psychologically, and physically mature during this period.

Changes:

1. Growth stops, with only maintenance and repair of body cells occurring.
2. Adults are in their best physical condition, with high energy, sharp senses, and good memory.
3. People become ambitious and strive to meet life goals (e.g., career, family).
4. By the late forties, physical abilities decline.
5. Memory loss, decrease in energy, and visible signs of aging (e.g., grey hair, wrinkles) appear.

Old age

Old age begins at 56 years and older, marking the period after menopause in women.

Changes:

1. Decreased sensory abilities (sight, smell, hearing).
2. Grey hair and potential baldness.
3. Memory loss due to brain cell death.
4. Slower kidney function and increased urination frequency.
5. Skin loses elasticity, leading to wrinkles.
6. Reduced bone strength and vulnerability to fractures.

Healthy living throughout life can delay these effects and help individuals live a normal life in old age.

Death

Death marks the end of life, when all body processes cease to function.