Age Period Physical Developments Cognitive Developments Psychosocial Developments

 Conception occurs by  Abilities to learn and  Fetus responds to

normal fertilization or remember to respond mother’s voice and
other means. to sensory stimuli are develops a
 The genetic endowment developing. preference for it.
interacts with
environmental
influences from the
Prenatal Period start.
(Conception to  Basic body structures
Birth) and organs form; brain
growth spurt begins.
 Physical growth is the
most rapid in the
lifespan.
 Vulnerability to
environmental
influences is great.
 All senses and body  Abilities to learn and  Attachments to
systems operate at birth remember are parents and others
to varying degrees. present, even in early form.
 The brain grows in weeks.  Self-awareness
Infancy and complexity and is highly  Use of symbols and develops.
Toddlerhood sensitive to ability to solve  Shift from
(Birth to Age 3) environmental problems develop by dependence toward
influence. end of second year. autonomy occurs.
 Physical growth and  Comprehension and  Interest in other
development of motor use of language children increases.
skills are rapid. develop rapidly.
 Growth is steady;  Thinking is somewhat  Self-concept and
appearance becomes egocentric, but understanding of
slenderer and understanding of emotions become
proportions become other people’s more complex; self-
more adultlike. perspective grows. esteem is global.
 Appetite diminishes,  Cognitive immaturity  Independence,
and sleep problems are results in some initiative, and self-
common. illogical ideas about control increase.
 Handedness appears; the world.  Gender identity
fine and gross motor  Memory and language develops.
Early Childhood skills and strength improve.  Play becomes more
(Ages 3 to 6) improve.  Intelligence becomes imaginative, more
more predictable. elaborate, and
 Preschool experience usually more social.
is more common, and  Altruism, aggression,
kindergarten and fearfulness are
experience is more so. common.
 Family is still the
focus of social life,
but other children
become more
important.
Middle  Growth slows.  Egocentrism  Self-concept
  Strength and athletic diminishes. becomes more
skills improve.  Children begin to complex, affecting
 Respiratory illnesses are think logically but self-esteem.
common, but health is concretely.  Coregulation reflects
generally better than at  Memory and language gradual shift in
Childhood (Ages any other time in the life skills increase. control from parents
6 to 11) span.  Cognitive gains permit to child.
children to benefit  Peers assume central
from formal schooling. importance.
 Some children show
special educational
needs and strengths.
 Physical growth and  Ability to think  Search for identity,
other changes are rapid abstractly and use including sexual
and profound. scientific reasoning identity, becomes
 Reproductive maturity develops. central.
Adolescence occurs.  Immature thinking  Relationships with
(Ages 11 to  Major health risks arise persists in some parents are generally
about 20) from behavioral issues, attitudes and good.
such as eating disorders behaviors.  Peer group may exert
and drug abuse.  Education focuses on a positive or negative
preparation for influence.
college or vocation.
 Physical condition peaks  Thought and moral  Personality traits and
then decline slightly. judgements become styles become
 Lifestyle choices more complex. relatively stable, but
influence health.  Educational and changes in
occupational choices personality may be
are made, sometimes influenced by life
Emerging and
after period of stages and events.
Young
exploration.  Intimate
Adulthood (ages
relationships and
20 to 40)
personal lifestyles
are established but
may not be lasting.
 Most people marry,
and most become
parents.
 Slow deterioration of  Mental abilities peak;  Sense of identity
sensory abilities, health, expertise and practical continues to develop;
stamina, and strength problem-solving skills midlife transition
may begin, but are high. may occur.
individual differences  Creative output may  Dual responsibilities
Middle are wide. decline but improve in of caring for children
Adulthood (Age  Women experience quality. and parents may
40 to 65) menopause.  For some, career cause stress.
success and earning  Launching of children
powers peak; for leaves empty nest.
others, burnout or
career change may
occur.
Late Adulthood  Most people are healthy  Most people are  Retirement from
 and active, although mentally alert. workforce may occur
health and physical  Although intelligence and may offer new
abilities generally and memory may options for use of
decline. deteriorate in some time.
 Slowing of reaction time areas, most people  People develop more
affects some aspects of find ways to flexible strategies to
functioning. compensate. cope with personal
(Age 65 and losses and impending
over) death.
 Relationships with
family and close
friends can provide
important support.
 Search for meaning
in life assumes
central importance.