Human Development Stages

Stages of Human Development

Prenatal Development

• Begins with fertilization and lasts approximately 40 weeks
• Divided into three trimesters
  • First trimester: implantation, embryogenesis, and organogenesis
  • Second trimester: rapid growth and sensory development
  • Third trimester: brain and neurological development

Infancy and Toddlerhood (0-3 years)

• Physical development: rapid growth, motor skill development (e.g., rolling, sitting, crawling, walking)
• Cognitive development: sensory exploration, object permanence, and language acquisition
• Social-emotional development: attachment formation, emotional regulation, and social interaction

Early Childhood (4-6 years)

• Physical development: refinement of motor skills, improved coordination
• Cognitive development: pretend play, language expansion, and problem-solving
• Social-emotional development: cooperation, empathy, and friendship formation

Middle Childhood (7-10 years)

• Physical development: continued refinement of motor skills, puberty preparation
• Cognitive development: concrete operational thinking, moral development
• Social-emotional development: peer relationships, self-concept formation, and emotional regulation

Adolescence (11-18 years)

• Physical development: puberty, rapid growth, and physical changes
• Cognitive development: formal operational thinking, abstract reasoning
• Social-emotional development: identity formation, peer influence, and emotional intensity

Young Adulthood (19-39 years)

• Physical development: physical peak, health maintenance
• Cognitive development: continued refinement of problem-solving, decision-making
• Social-emotional development: independence, intimacy, and career establishment

Middle Adulthood (40-64 years)

• Physical development: physical decline, health maintenance
• Cognitive development: expertise development, wisdom
• Social-emotional development: generativity, social responsibility, and emotional maturity

Late Adulthood (65+ years)

• Physical development: physical decline, health management
• Cognitive development: cognitive maintenance, wisdom
• Social-emotional development: reflection, life review, and emotional acceptance

Stages of Human Development

Prenatal Development

• Lasts approximately 40 weeks from fertilization
• Divided into three trimesters:
  • First trimester: implantation, embryogenesis, and organogenesis
  • Second trimester: rapid growth and sensory development
  • Third trimester: brain and neurological development

Infancy and Toddlerhood (0-3 years)

• Physical development: rapid growth, motor skill development, including rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking
• Cognitive development: sensory exploration, object permanence, and language acquisition
• Social-emotional development: attachment formation, emotional regulation, and social interaction

Early Childhood (4-6 years)

• Physical development: refinement of motor skills, improved coordination
• Cognitive development: pretend play, language expansion, and problem-solving skills
• Social-emotional development: cooperation, empathy, and friendship formation

Middle Childhood (7-10 years)

• Physical development: continued refinement of motor skills, preparation for puberty
• Cognitive development: concrete operational thinking, moral development, and understanding of rules and norms
• Social-emotional development: peer relationships, self-concept formation, and emotional regulation

Adolescence (11-18 years)

• Physical development: puberty, rapid growth, and physical changes
• Cognitive development: formal operational thinking, abstract reasoning, and logical thinking
• Social-emotional development: identity formation, peer influence, and emotional intensity

Young Adulthood (19-39 years)

• Physical development: physical peak, health maintenance, and physical strength
• Cognitive development: continued refinement of problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking
• Social-emotional development: independence, intimacy, and career establishment

Middle Adulthood (40-64 years)

• Physical development: physical decline, health maintenance, and chronic disease management
• Cognitive development: expertise development, wisdom, and life experience
• Social-emotional development: generativity, social responsibility, and emotional maturity

Late Adulthood (65+ years)

• Physical development: physical decline, health management, and age-related diseases
• Cognitive development: cognitive maintenance, wisdom, and life reflection
• Social-emotional development: reflection, life review, and emotional acceptance