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#5. Development in Children
and Adolescent
Elaine G. Rosalita, Ed.D
Instructor
Philippine International Institute of Advance Studies
“An Ecclesiastical Educational Institution”
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Development Motor Skills Development
Brain Development Puberty
Physical Growth
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Development
Physical development refers to the advancements and refinements of motor skills, or,
in other words, children’s abilities to use and control their bodies
Physical development is one of the many domains of infant and toddler
development
It relates to the growth and skill development of the body, including the brain,
muscles, and senses.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Development
Gross-motor skills and fine-motor skills are developed during infancy and toddlerhood.
Gross-motor skills involve the mastery of large muscle movements, as well as the
building of strength in muscle groups like the arms, legs, and core.
Examples of such skills for infants and toddlers include reaching, rolling, crawling,
and climbing.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Development
Fine-motor skills involve smaller, more precise movements, particularly movements of the
hands and fingers, such as grasping. As their bodies grow, infants and toddlers progressively
strengthen their muscles and become better able to control their bodies. Each new motor
skill that is developed is the result of an earlier skill and a contributor to new skills.
Newborn infants do not have the strength to hold up their heads, however as they learn
and develop control of muscles, they will be able to support their heads and move them
from side to side to explore.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Development
Skill mastery and development are also the result of brain growth and
development
Consider an infant who is starting to walk while
holding on to couches and round-edged tables. This
child must have acquired strength in the large muscles
and a certain level of control over body movement. At
the same time, the child also relies on vision to
determine where to walk and what to cling onto. As
infants and toddlers grow, their bodies and minds
become capable of simple and mildly-complex
movement and experiences.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Development
Implications: Parents, teachers, and caregivers must stimulate toddlers and infants
and encourage the development of gross- and fine-motor skills.
For example, you may stimulate physical development by holding a toddler upright while
moving each leg to imitate walking.
This sense of being loved and
Infants and toddlers depend on their caregivers feeling safe is essential to stimulate
to meet their needs for safety and security. areas of development, including
physical development. When they
When infants and toddlers receive consistent, feel safe and secure, infants and
toddlers use their brains, muscles,
responsive care and attention from nurturing
and senses to explore the world
adults, they are able to establish a sense of around them.
trust in the world.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Brain Development
Human brain continues to undergo changes.
Stage 1: 0 to 10 months
- Neurons and connections growing.
- Pregnant woman should stay as stress-free as possible, take folic acid, B6 & B12, stimulate this young
developing brain with sounds and sensations. Mother should avoid toxins, cigarettes, heavy metals,
alcohol, drugs.
Stage 2: birth to 6 years
- Development of voluntary movement, reasoning, perception, frontal lobes active in development of
emotions, attachments, planning, working memory, and perception. A sense of self is developing and life
experiences shape the emotional well-being.
- By age six, the brain is 95% its adult weight and peak of energy consumption.
- Caregivers need to provide nurturing environment and daily individualized communication. Negative or
harsh treatment may come with emotional consequences in the future.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Brain Development
Stage 3: 7 to 22 years Stage 4: 23 to 65 years
- The neural connections or ‘grey’ matter is still - Finally, the brain reaches its peak power around age
pruning, wiring of brain still in progress, the fatty 22 and lasts for 5 more years. Afterwards, it’s a
tissues surrounding neurons or ‘white’ matter downhill pattern. Last to mature and the first to go
increase and assist with speeding up electrical are the brain functionality of executive control
impulses and stabilize connections. The prefrontal occurring in the prefrontal and temporal cortices.
cortex is the last to mature and it involves the Memory for recalling episodes start to decline,
control of impulses and decision-making. processing speed slows and working memory is
- Therefore, teenagers need to learn to control storing less information.
reckless, irrational and irritable behavior. Avoiding - Best approach is to stay mentally active, learn new
drugs, alcohol, smoking, unprotected sex and things, stay physically active and eat a very healthy
substance abuse. diet. Avoid toxins, cigarettes, alcohol and mind-
altering drugs.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Brain Development
Stage 5: older than 65 years
- Brain cells are lost in the critical areas such as the hippocampus responsible for
processing memories.
- Learn new skills, practice meditation to promote neutral emotions, exercise to
improve abstract reasoning and concentration.
- Avoid stress or incorporate stress reducing meditation and exercises.
- Eat a healthy diet with foods to nourish one’s level of dopamine.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
Three broad stages of development
1. early childhood
2. middle childhood
3. adolescence
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
1. Early Childhood (Birth to Eight Years)
Early childhood is a time of tremendous growth across all areas of development. The
dependent newborn grows into a young person who can take care of his or her own body
and interact effectively with others. For these reasons, the primary developmental task of
this stage is skill development.
Physically, between birth and age three a child typically doubles in height and quadruples
in weight. Bodily proportions also shift, so that the infant, whose head accounts for almost
one-fourth of total body length, becomes a toddler with a more balanced, adult-like
appearance. Despite these rapid physical changes, the typical three-year-old has mastered
many skills, including sitting, walking, toilet training, using a spoon, scribbling, and sufficient
hand-eye coordination to catch and throw a ball.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
1. Early Childhood (Birth to Eight Years)
Physical changes in early childhood are accompanied by rapid changes in the child's
cognitive and language development. From the moment they are born, children use all
their senses to attend to their environment, and they begin to develop a sense of
cause and effect from their actions and the responses of caregivers.
Language is a powerful tool to enhance cognitive development. Using language
allows the child to communicate with others and solve problems. By age eight,
children are able to demonstrate some basic understanding of less concrete
concepts, including time and money. However, the eight-year old still reasons in
concrete ways and has difficulty understanding abstract ideas
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
1. Early Childhood (Birth to Eight Years)
Implications for in-school learning.
The time from birth to eight years is a critical period in the development of many foundational skills in
all areas of development. Increased awareness of, and ability to detect, developmental delays in very
young children has led to the creation of early intervention services that can reduce the need for special
education placements when children reach school age. For example, earlier detection of hearing deficits
sometimes leads to correction of problems before serious language impairments occur. Also,
developmental delays caused by premature birth can be addressed through appropriate therapies to help
children function at the level of their typically developing peers before they begin school.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
2. Middle Childhood (Eight to Twelve Years)
Historically, middle childhood has not been considered an important stage in human development.
Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory labeled this period of life the latency stage, a time when sexual
and aggressive urges are repressed. Freud suggested that no significant contributions to personality
development were made during this period. However, more recent theorists have recognized the
importance of middle childhood for the development of cognitive skills, personality, motivation, and
inter-personal relationships. During middle childhood children learn the values of their societies. Thus,
the primary developmental task of middle childhood could be called integration, both in terms of
development within the individual and of the individual within the social context.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
2. Middle Childhood (Eight to Twelve Years)
As with physical development, the cognitive development of middle childhood is slow and steady.
Children in this stage are building upon skills gained in early childhood and preparing for the next phase
of their cognitive development. Children's reasoning is very rule based. Children are learning skills such
as classification and forming hypotheses. While they are cognitively more mature now than a few years
ago, children in this stage still require concrete, hands-on learning activities. Middle childhood is a time
when children can gain enthusiasm for learning and work, for achievement can become a motivating
factor as children work toward building competence and self-esteem.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
2. Middle Childhood (Eight to Twelve Years)
Middle childhood is also a time when children develop competence in interpersonal and
social relationships. Children have a growing peer orientation, yet they are strongly
influenced by their family. The social skills learned through peer and family
relationships, and children's increasing ability to participate in meaningful interpersonal
communication, provide a necessary foundation for the challenges of adolescence. Best
friends are important at this age, and the skills gained in these relationships may
provide the building blocks for healthy adult relationships.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
2. Middle Childhood (Eight to Twelve Years)
Implications for in-school learning.
For many children, middle childhood is a joyful time of increased independence,
broader friendships, and developing interests, such as sports, art, or music. However, a
widely recognized shift in school performance begins for many children in third or
fourth grade (age eight or nine). The skills required for academic success become more
complex. Those students who successfully meet the academic challenges during this
period go on to do well, while those who fail to build the necessary skills may fall
further behind in later grades.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
3. Adolescence (Twelve to Eighteen Years)
Adolescence is defined as a culturally constructed period that generally begins as
individuals reach sexual maturity and ends when the individual has established an
identity as an adult within his or her social context. In many cultures adolescence may
not exist, or may be very short, because the attainment of sexual maturity coincides
with entry into the adult world.
The primary developmental task of adolescence is identity formation.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
3. Adolescence (Twelve to Eighteen Years)
The adolescent years are another period of accelerated growth. Individuals can grow up to four inches
and gain eight to ten pounds per year. This growth spurt is most often characterized by two years of fast
growth, followed by three or more years of slow, steady growth. By the end of adolescence, individuals
may gain a total of seven to nine inches in height and as much as forty or fifty pounds in weight. The
timing of this growth spurt is not highly predictable; it varies across both individuals and gender. In
general, females begin to develop earlier than do males.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
3. Adolescence (Twelve to Eighteen Years)
Females tend to mature at about age thirteen, and males at about fifteen. Development
during this period is governed by the pituitary gland through the release of the
hormones testosterone (males) and estrogen (females).
The impact of the media and societal expectations on adolescent development has been far reaching.
Young people are bombarded by images of violence, sex, and unattainable standards of beauty. This
exposure, combined with the social, emotional, and physical changes facing adolescents, has contributed
to an increase in school violence, teen sexuality, and eating disorders. The onset of many psychological
disorders, such as depression, other mood disorders, and schizophrenia, is also common at this time of life.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Physical Growth
3. Adolescence (Twelve to Eighteen Years)
Implications for in-school learning.
The implications of development during this period for education are numerous.
Teachers must be aware of the shifts in cognitive development that are occurring and
provide appropriate learning opportunities to support individual students and facilitate
growth. Teachers must also be aware of the challenges facing their students in order to
identify and help to correct problems if they arise. Teachers often play an important role
in identifying behaviors that could become problematic, and they can be mentors to
students in need.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Motor Skills Development
Motor development means the physical growth and strengthening of a child’s bones,
muscles and ability to move and touch his/her surroundings.
A child’s motor development falls into two categories:
Gross motor and Fine motor.
Gross motor skills involve motor
development of muscles that enable Fine motor skills refer to small
babies to hold up their heads, sit and movements in the hands, wrists,
crawl, and eventually walk, run, jump fingers, feet, toes, lips and tongue.
and skip.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Motor Skills Development
Typical motor skill development follows a predictable sequence. It starts from the
inner body, including the head, neck, arms and legs, and then moves to the outer
body such as hands, feet, fingers and toes.
Motor development is important throughout a child’s early life,
because physical development is tied to other development areas. For
example, if a child is able to crawl or walk (gross motor skills), he/she
can more easily explore their physical environment, which affects
cognitive development. Social and emotional development progresses
when a child can speak, eat and drink (fine motor skills).
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Motor Skills Development
Parents and caregivers can help develop a child’s motor skills at all ages. Some activities
include:
- Placing your baby on his/her tummy, and helping him/her reach for a toy.
-Putting a toy on the couch for your child to stretch toward when a he/she starts to stand.
- Encouraging walking with a stroller your little one can push.
Visiting playgrounds, where your child can climb, swing and slide.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Puberty
What changes will happen during
puberty?
Sexual and other physical maturation that happens during
puberty is a result of hormonal changes. In boys, it is difficult to
know exactly when puberty is coming. There are changes that
happen, but they happen gradually and over a period of time,
rather than as a single event.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Puberty
The following are average ages when puberty changes may happen for
male adolescent:
Beginning of puberty: 9.5 to 14 years old
First pubertal change: enlargement of the testicles
Penis enlargement: begins approximately 1 year after the testicles begin enlarging
Appearance of pubic hair: 13.5 years old
Nocturnal emissions (or "wet dreams"): 14 years old
Hair under the arms and on the face, voice change, and acne: 15 years old
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Puberty
Girls also experience puberty as a sequence of events, but their pubertal changes
usually begin before boys of the same age. Each girl is different and may progress through
these changes differently. The following are average ages when puberty changes may
happen:
Beginning of puberty: 8 to 13 years
First pubertal change: breast development
Pubic hair development: shortly after breast development
Hair under the arms: 12 years old
Menstrual periods: 10 to 16.5 years old
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Puberty
There are specific stages of development that both boys and girls go through when developing secondary sexual
characteristics. These are the physical characteristics of males and females that are not involved in reproduction, such as
voice changes, body shape, pubic hair distribution, and facial hair. The following is a brief overview of the changes that
happen:
In boys, the initial puberty change is the enlargement of the scrotum and testes. At this point, the penis does not
enlarge. Then, as the testes and scrotum continue to enlarge, the penis gets longer. Next, the penis will continue to
grow in both size and length.
In girls, the initial puberty change is the development of breast buds. This is when the breast and nipple elevate.
The areola (dark area of skin that surrounds the nipple of the breast) increases in size at this time. The breasts then
continue to enlarge. Eventually, the nipples and the areolas will elevate again. They then form another projection
on the breasts. At the adult state, only the nipple remains elevated above the rest of the breast tissue.
Pubic hair development is similar for both girls and boys. The initial growth of hair produces long, soft hair that is
only in a small area around the genitals. This hair then becomes darker and coarser as it continues to spread. The
pubic hair eventually looks like adult hair, but in a smaller area. It may spread to the thighs and, sometimes, up the
stomach.
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Puberty
What does my adolescent
understand?
The teenage years bring many changes, not only physically, but also mentally and
socially. During these years, adolescents increase their ability to think abstractly and
eventually make plans and set long-term goals. Each child may progress at a different rate
and may have a different view of the world. In general, the following are some of the
abilities that may be evident in your adolescent:
Develops the ability to think abstractly Thinks long-term
Is concerned with philosophy, politics, and Sets goals
social issues Compares one's self to one's peers
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Puberty
As your adolescent begins to struggle for independence and control, many
changes may happen. The following are some of the issues that may be involved
with your adolescent during these years:
Wants independence from parents
Peer influence and acceptance becomes very important
Romantic and sexual relationships become important
May be in love
Has long-term commitment in relationship
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Puberty
How to assist your adolescent in developing
socially?
Consider the following as ways to foster your adolescent's social abilities:
- Encourage your adolescent to take on new challenges.
- Talk with your adolescent about not losing sight of one's self in group
relations.
- Encourage your adolescent to talk to a trusted adult about problems or
concerns, even if it is not you he or she chooses to talk with.
- Discuss ways to manage and handle stress.
- Provide consistent, loving discipline with limits, restrictions, and rewards.
- Find ways to spend time together.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Health Concerns
Nutrition and Exercise. Sometimes the onset of puberty can lead to problems with
eating and changes in exercise levels. Teens who frequently diet, suddenly become
vegan or engage in extreme exercise, may signal problems with unhealthy eating
patterns or a skewed body image. They could be at risk for nutritional problems such as
inadequate iron or calcium intake. On the other hand, teens may consume too much
high-sugar and fat foods and cut back on regular physical activity. This can lead to excess
weight gain and obesity. All of these are signs not to be taken lightly and deserve a
discussion with your child’s healthcare professional.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Health Concerns
Sleep. Sleep cycles go through a period of change during adolescence. It’s common for some teens to stay
up later and sleep in longer. But when teens don’t get enough high-quality sleep, it impacts their ability to
focus. It can hurt their academic performance. It can lead to changes in mood, weight fluctuations, and a
decreased ability to fight off colds and infections. If you are concerned your teen isn’t getting enough
sleep or is sleeping too much, consult a health professional. Some parents worry that screen time might be
interfering with their teens’ sleep habits. Using computers, phones, or tablets right before bed can make it
challenging to fall asleep. Make sure to turn off phones and computers at least an hour before bed and to
set night settings on the phone to automatically go on at least 2 hours before bed. Encourage them to stick
to a regular bedtime and help them find ways to relax before bed, like taking a shower or listening to quiet
music. Remind them that getting high quality and enough sleep will help them be alert and focused the
next day.
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Health Concerns
Skin, Hair and Body Odor Issues. Parents may notice that teens (and all their friends!) suddenly have pimples or a
very strong body odor. This happens because glands are activated by hormones and produce more oil during the teen
years — resulting in greasier hair, sweaty armpits, oily skin, and increased body odor. Teens can be encouraged to
manage body odor. You may want to suggest they maintain good hygiene, bathe regularly, and use deodorant.
Acne is a major cause of anxiety for teens. Some acne is a normal part of physical development and can be easily
treated by topical over-the-counter creams. Sometimes acne should be treated with stronger medicine, which can only
be prescribed by a health professional. It is important to treat moderate to severe cases of acne in order to prevent
scarring. It’s virtually impossible to have never had a skin breakout — everyone gets them! Just because your teen has
acne and appears self-conscious about it doesn’t mean they’ll bring it to your attention or ask to see a doctor about it.
Don’t make it a big deal, but consider offering solutions available to help reduce or rid them of it.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Health Concerns
Asymmetry and Clumsiness. There’s a reason why it may seem like teens are a bit awkward and less
coordinated. You might even notice them tripping or being more clumsy. It has to do with biology. Teens
experience growth first in their extremities such as the hands and feet, followed by the arms and legs, and
later the torso and shoulders. This unique growth can make teen bodies appear out of proportion.
Teens may also notice that body parts may grow at different times (i.e. one breast or one testicle may be
bigger than another). They may feel self-conscious about this. Reassure them that they’ll experience
growth in spurts and not uniformly, but that it is likely to even out by the end of their adolescence.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Health Concerns
Height Issues. One of the most obvious areas for concern is height. It’s impossible to miss if a young person is
smaller or taller than their peers. There is a wide range of heights for all people. There are many things taken into
account when assessing how tall a teen will be as an adult. Some factors include how tall their parents are, how
quickly or slowly they are growing, nutrition, and a delayed onset of puberty.
Tweens and teens who have a height well below average for their age and gender are referred to as having “short
stature”. Most children who have short stature are healthy, but occasionally growth that’s slower than normal can be a
sign of a health problem.
On the other hand, some teens may appear to be growing faster than their peers. Again, height depends
on many factors. In many cases, tweens and teens who grow taller earlier end up finishing growing before
others and become average height in adulthood. If you think your child is growing too fast or that rapid
growth is causing any pain or discomfort, talk to your child’s pediatrician or another healthcare professional.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Health Concerns
Menstrual Issues. Girls may be concerned about when they will get their first period and what to do if
their period is irregular. It’s normal for menstrual cycles to be irregular for up to 1-2 years after first
getting one’s period. But ongoing irregularity could be cause for concern. Consider an evaluation if your
teen has not received her period by 16 years of age or if menstruation causes severe pain or extreme mood
changes. While cramps are common and most can be treated with over-the-counter medicine,
seek further care from a health provider for more significant symptoms.
Both weight gain or weight loss can impact the menstrual cycle. Be on the lookout for low body weight,
extreme exercising, or gaining significant weight, as any of these can delay or alter period cycles.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Health Concerns
Breast Development in Boys (Gynecomastia). Boys may experience some breast tissue growth (or
gynecomastia) during the early stages of puberty. In many cases, this will cause a small, swollen area
under the nipple, and often on one side alone. Sometimes, this growth may be much more extensive. Boys
with overweight/obesity issues may have the appearance of “pseudo” gynecomastia due to excessive fatty
tissue — that is not breast tissue.
Both weight gain or weight loss can impact the menstrual cycle. Be on the lookout for low
body weight, extreme exercising, or gaining significant weight, as any of these can delay or
alter period cycles.
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Health Concerns
Parents Vital Role. Parents can reassure their teens that many of their concerns related to their bodies are normal. We
must validate their feelings and normalize what they are going through. At the same time, we mustn’t be afraid to seek
professional help. Any concerns related to delayed puberty, slow development, body image issues, acne, painful or
irregular periods and more, are common topics healthcare providers are trained to assess and resolve.
The sad truth is that sometimes young people whose bodies are different than others are particularly self-conscious, or
might even get teased. In many cases, our children have a similar pattern of development as we had. If that is the case,
share your experience and earned wisdom with your teen, especially about how it all evened out. If they remain
concerned, help them get factual information from their health professional.
Above all, in this time of rapid and uneven physical and emotional changes, our most
important role is to remain steady – unconditionally present and accepting of them, just as they
are.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Paper Activity: Assignment #5
Summaries what you understand about the topic
Development in Children and Adolescent. Include your
major takeaways.
Write it in a paragraph type.
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Development in Children and Adolescent
Remember the
PATTERN IN WRITING ASSIGNMENT
5
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Development in Children and Adolescent
PATTERN IN WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Where to write the Assignment:
It can be:
1. Hand written in a short bond paper provided that your
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2. It can be encoded and printed in a short bond paper.
Where to submit the assignment:
You may submit it through:
1. Submit it to Green Vale Academy. Look for Oct Chill
B. Rosalita.
2. Submit it during our F2F classes:
December 19, 2021
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Development in Children and Adolescent
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