Child and Adolescent Learners

and Learning Principles

MODULE 1
 Human Development
- -Is described as how people change and
how people stay the same over the
time.
- - the pattern of movement or change that
begins at conception and continues
through life span.
- It includes growth and decline
- It can be positive or negative
 Types of Change
1. Quantitative Change
 Refers to physical growth like progress in
height and weight.
2. Qualitative Change
 Refers to the change of function of an organ,
resulting to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Example:
The way children behave, think and perceive
the world.
Aspects of Human Development
1. Physical Development
 Changes in the body structure and motor
skills.
2. Perceptual Development
Development of sensory capacities such as
the changes in the seeing and hearing
abilities of infants.
3. Cognitive or Intellectual Development
Change in mental abilities, learning capacity,
memory reasoning thought processes and
language.
4. Personality and Social Development
Changes in self-concept, gender identity
and one’s quality of interpersonal
relationship.
8 Stages of Development
1. Prenatal Stage
From conception to birth
2. Infancy
 0 to 2 years old
3. Early Childhood
 3 – 6 years old
4. Middle Childhood
 7 -12 years old
5. Adolescence
 13 – 19 years old
6. Young Adulthood
20 – 35 years old
7. Middle Adulthood
36 – 49 years old
8. Late Adulthood/Old Age
50 years old - death
 Principles of Human Development
Principles
 A fundamental, primary or general law or
truth from which other are derived.
Growth
- Refers to an increase in some quantity over
time.
Development
- A systematic and orderly change, organism
experience as they live as either gain or loss
1. Development is continuous
 The process of growth and development
continues from the conception till the
individual reaches maturity. Development
 of both physical and mental traits continues
gradually until these traits reach their
maximum growth. It goes on continuously
throughout life. Even after maturity has been
attained, development does not end.
2. Development is gradual
 Occurring, developing, moving in small
stages.
 It does not come all on a sudden.
 Not steep or abrupt
3. Development is sequential
Every species, whether animal or human,
follows a pattern of development. This pattern
in general is the same for all individuals. The
child crawls before he creeps, stands before
he walks and babbles
 before he talks.
4. Rate of Development Varies Person to
Person
Rate of development is not uniform.
Individuals differ in the rate of growth and
development. Boys and girls have different
development rates. Each part of the body
has its own particular rate of growth
5. Development Proceeds from General to
Specific
 In all areas of development, general activity
always precedes specific activity. For
example, the fetus moves its whole body
but it is incapable of making specific
response. With respect to emotional
behavior infants approach strange and
 and unusual objects with some sort of
general fear response. Later their fears
become more specific and elicit different
kinds of behavior such as crying, turning
away and hiding.
6. Development proceeds from the center of
the body outward
-The directional sequence of development
during both prenatal and postnatal stages may
either be from head to foot.
- The spinal cord develop before outer parts of
the body
- The child’s arms develops before the hands.
- Fingers and toe muscles are the last to
develop in physical development.
7. Growth and Development is a Product of
Both Heredity and Environment
Development is both influenced by heredity
and environment. Both are responsible for
 Human growth and development
8. Development is Predictable
 The difference between physiological
(body) and psychological (mind)
potentialities can be predicted by
observation and psychological test.
9. Development depends on maturation and
 learning
-Maturation refers to the sequential
characteristic of biological growth and
development.
- Changes in the brain and nervous system
account largely for maturation and help
children to improve in thinking and motor
skills.
10. There is a Constant Interaction Between All
Factors of Development
Development in one area is highly related
to development in other areas. For
example, a child who has a good health
can be active socially and intellectually.
 Educational Implications of the
Principles of Development
1. Understand the child problem
Provides a chance for the teacher to
understand the kind of problems a student
can have which can assist in the academic
as well as in the personality development of
 the child.
2. Understand the Individual Differences
The teacher can consider the individual
differences while assessing the child’s
performance in the class.
3. Choose the Appropriate Teaching Methods
 Help the teacher to choose an appropriate
way of teaching method as well as teaching
aids to be used in the classroom for the
betterment of a child’s development.
4. Assist in classroom environment
Help the teacher provide a free environment
in the classroom which can assist the student
to feel free to ask any doubt and
 have any discussion in the classroom.
5. Useful in the Organization of Various School
Activities
The school can take advantage of these
principles through which various activities
and organizations will be held in accordance
with the student’s requirements.
6. Keep Track on Student’s Academic
Performance
 Help the teacher keep track of the student’s
academic performance and how many
marks have they obtained along with the
areas of improvement.
7. Assess the Overall Development Process
  Assist the teacher as well as the school
authorities to assess a student’s overall
development process in which all kinds of
development are included such as physical,
mental, personality and emotional
development over the period of time.
8. Presume Student’s Behavior
 Help the teacher predict the behavior of
the students in the classroom and the
previous knowledge a student can have
about the topic as per the cognitive abilities.
 Two Approaches to Human
Development
1. Traditional Approach
 Extensive change from birth to
adolescence, little or no change in
adulthood and decline in late old age.
2. Life-Span Approach
 Refers to the full process of human
development from conception to death.
Characteristics of a Life-span Perspective
1. Development is lifelong
 Development occurs in all ages
2. Development is multidimensional
  From different dimensions: biological (nature)
Cognitive (thinking), socioemotional
(relationships).
3. Development is Multidirectional
 Can involve both loss and growth
4. Development is Multidisciplinary
 Can be studied by multiple occupations
5. Development is Contextual
 Occurs within a setting
6. Development is Plastic
 Capacity for change