Overview of the Human Lifespan

1. Overview of the Human Lifespan Unit 1 Health and Human Development Chapter 1

3. The Human Lifespan • The human lifespan starts at conception and ends at death. • It can be broken up into different stages • Prenatal • Infancy • Childhood • Youth • Early adulthood • Middle adulthood • Late adulthood

4. Prenatal Stage • The prenatal stage begins when a sperm penetrates an egg in a process known as fertilisation, to form one complete cell, called a zygote. • continues until birth and is characterised by the development of the body’s organs and structures, and substantial growth. • The unborn baby goes from being a single cell (smaller than a quarter of a millimetre across) to consisting of more than 200 billion cells at birth and weighing around 3.5 kilograms on average. • takes 40 weeks to complete. • the fastest growth period of all the human lifespan stages.

5. Infancy • Starts at birth and continues to the end of two years • Period of rapid growth and many changes • Development of gross motor skills • Development of speech- can speak a few basic words • Identify familiar people • Throw tantrums • Play social games

6. Childhood • Starts at 2 years and ends with the onset of puberty or 12 years Early childhood • Early childhood starts at the end of infancy and continues until the sixth birthday. • This stage is characterised by slow and steady growth, and the accomplishment of many new skills. • The child learns social skills that will allow them to interact with other people. • They will make friends, be able to eat with adults at the table and become toilet trained.

7. Childhood Late childhood • Late childhood starts at the sixth birthday and ends at age 12. • Late childhood is characterised by slow and steady growth. • There are many physical, social, emotional and intellectual • These include refining reading and writing skills, developing long-term memory, understanding gender stereotypes and refining motor skills.

8. Youth • Youth starts at 12 years of age and continues until 18 years • The youth stage is characterised by rapid growth, increased independence and sexual maturity. • Major physical changes- rapid growth spurt, development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics and the ability to reproduce • significant social, emotional and intellectual changes • greater independence, more complex relationships and the development of life goals

9. Early adulthood • Early adulthood begins at 19 and ends at 40. • the body reaches its physical peak around 25–30 followed by a steady decline in body systems thereafter. • A period of maintenance and repair as opposed to the periods of growth experienced in the earlier lifespan stages. • Focus on career and finding a steady job • Young adults may also choose their life partner, get married and/or have children. • These events lead to many physical, social, emotional and intellectual changes.

10. Middle adulthood • Middle adulthood begins at 40 and continues until the age of 65. • The events that occur during this period vary from culture to culture and from individual to individual. • Key characteristics include - stability in work and relationships - development of identity including the maturation of values and beliefs - financial security - physical signs of ageing - menopause in women - “empty nest syndrome” due to children leaving home - becoming grandparents

11. Late adulthood • occurs from the age of 65 until death • This period is characterised by a change in lifestyle arising from retirement and financial security • It can include greater participation in voluntary work and in leisure activities such as golf and bowls • Many older people may also have to endure the grief associated with the death of friends or a spouse. • As health begins to decline significantly, older people tend to reflect on their lives and achievements. • This may provide a sense of satisfaction or regret, depending on how they assess the choices they have made in their lives.