Stages of Development and Developmental Tasks
Stages of Development and Developmental Tasks
Stages of Development and Developmental 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
1.) GERMINAL STAGE – first 2 weeks conception, implantation, formation of placenta
2.) EMBRYONIC STAGE – 2 weeks – 2 months formation of vital organs and systems
3.) FETAL STAGE – 2 months – birth bodily growth continues, movement capability begins, brain
cells multiply age of viability
PRENATAL – Overview of fetal development It involves tremendous growth – from a single cell
to an organism complete with brain and behavioral capabilities
1 YEAR OLD
• 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
2 YEARS OLD
• 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
3 YEARS OLD
• wants to be just like parents
• vocabulary and pronunciation continue to expand
• climbs stairs with alternating feet
• can briefly stand on one foot
4 YEARS OLD
• 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)
5 YEARS OLD
• can hop on one foot & skip
• can accurately copy figures
• may begin to read
• socialize with other children their age
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
Learning to walk
Learning to take solid food
Learning to talk
Learning to control the elimination of body waste
Learning sex differences and sexual
Acquiring concepts and language to describe social and physical reality
Readiness for reading
Learning to distinguish right from wrong and developing
ADOLESCENCE (13-18)
Selecting a mate
Learning to live with a partner
Starting a family
Rearing children
Managing a home
Starting an occupation
Assuming civic responsibility
MIDDLE ADULTHOOD (30-60)