EDUC100A Human Development Concepts

Study Notes

Teachers play a crucial role similar to that of second parents, guiding students through developmental changes.
As students grow older, they face challenges affecting their learning; understanding human development is vital for effective teaching.

Growth: Refers to quantitative changes, such as increases in body size with age.
Development: Involves qualitative changes leading to maturation, like acquiring motor skills (e.g., walking).

Traditional Approach: Suggests significant changes occur from birth to adolescence, little change in adulthood, and decline in old age.
Life-Span Approach: Indicates that development continues throughout adulthood.

Lifelong Process: Development occurs at all life stages, including adulthood.
Plasticity: Change is always possible; individuals can adapt and grow throughout their lives.
Multidimensional: Development encompasses biological, cognitive, socio-emotional, and moral dimensions, all interrelated.
Orderly Development: Follow specific patterns:
- Proximodistal Pattern: Muscular control develops from the trunk to extremities.
- Cephalocaudal Pattern: Growth primarily occurs in the head during infancy, progressing downward.
Gradual Change: Development is not instantaneous; significant changes occur over weeks, months, or years.
Contextual Influence: Individuals respond and adapt based on their biological makeup, environment, and socio-cultural contexts.
Goals of Development: Encompass growth, maintenance, and regulation, varying by developmental stage.