Stages of development: Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence Development

Introduction:

Change is the law of nature. Animate or inanimate objects are all subject to change. Animate objects are distinguished from inanimate objects chiefly by their potentiality to maintain the flow and cycle of life. Seeds, after germinating in the soil grow as saplings and then as specific plants or trees which in turn flower and produce seeds or fruits for further germination. Similar is the case with birds, animals and human beings who can reproduce their own kind by the transmission of specific characteristics of the species through sexual union between the male and the female. As far as the human being is concerned, life starts with the conception in the mother’s womb as a result of the process of fertilization of the ovum(egg cell) of the mother by the sperm cell of the father. The mother’s womb then becomes the site and the meaning for the growth and development of the new life and it is only after nine months that the baby is able to come into the world as a new born. The period spent in the mother’s womb is termed as pre-natal period and is usually not included in the computation of one’s chronological age.

The term growth may be limited to the changes in the quantitative aspect i.e increase in size, length, height and weight and expansion of vocabulary etc., The term development implies the overall changes occurring in both the quantitative as well as qualitative aspects. Therefore, development as a term carries a wider and more comprehensive meaning than the term growth. The term “growth” carries a limited and narrower meaning. It is a sub-system of the development as it is concerned merely with the quantitative changes in comparison to the overall changes described and explained by the process of development. This does not continue throughout one’s life. It stops when maturity has been attained, while development is a continuous process. Starting right from conception it does not end with the attainment of maturity but continuous throughout the entire life span of an individual. Development is said to be a complex process in comparison to the process of growth. The results of growth in terms of quantitative changes are very specific, fairly easy to observe and measure. The results of development, in comparison are quite complex and difficult as far as their actual assessment & measurement is concerned. 

1. Infancy:

Every child grows and develops in different environment. According to the environment and experience they differ. The Interaction of students has with teachers and friends provide experiences .These experiences bring, about a change in thinking and feelings. The changes that take place indicate learning has occurred the adolescents with physical growth and development are given training they become good sportsmen. So learning is very necessary for the development to take place.

2. Childhood

Cognition means knowing through which activity knowledge is received. Cognitive development means changes in mental activities like attention, learning, thinking and recognizing. Cognitive development takes place with the help of experiences through sensory organs, observation and memory, arranging thoughts and by finding solutions to problems. Some educationalists feel that cognitive development takes place in different stages from the time of birth. According to them the development of one stage is based on the development of the previous stages. These stages of growth may occur at different age for different children. But the order of the stages will be the same. We can identify the stage of a person’s cognitive development by observing the persons activities and the infer from that the stage of the cognitive development.

3. Adolescence

1. Introduction:

The word ‘adolescence’ comes from the Latin Verb “adolescere” which means ‘to grow’. So the essence of the word adolescence is growth and it is in the sense that adolescence represents a period of intensive growth and change, in nearly all aspects of child’s physical, mental, social and emotional life. Adolescence begins with the onset of puberty and lasts till the beginning of adulthood. Several Physiological and psychological changes occur during this period. According to Cole, adolescence is a period of growth in all systems of the body. In the course of a few years the individual undergoes both in size and in his internal body chemistry. The rapidity, variety and force of these developments are amazing. The changes are so extensive that some people call this as second birth. Stanelly Hall called this period as “Period of storm and stress” a time when the individual is erratic , unstable and unpredictable.

1. It is most crucial period of life.
2. Rapid changes in physical, mental, moral, spiritual and sex, social outlook.
3. It is period of learn new things.
4. It is a period of anxieties and worries.
5. It is the period of ambitions.
6. It is the period of conflicts and complexity.
7. Jersild said "Girls move from childhood to adulthood by mentally, emotionally socially and physically"
8. It is an attitude for effective participation of society (Rogers).
9. This period is more complex like Admiration, Awe, Reverence, Gratitude, Scorn, Contempt, Hatred and Joy.
10. Stanley Hall, said, "A period of great Stress, Strain, Storm and Strife". 

2. Educating the adolescent: