Module 3

Development of Learner
at Various Stages

In this Module:
1. Prenatal Development
2. Infancy and Toddlerhood
3. Early Childhood
4. Middle Childhood
5. Late Childhood
6. Adolescence

Introduction

This module presents six lessons where it gives you different stages of individuals

At the completion of this module, you should be able to:

 Explain the prenatal development process that a child went through
 Identify the common hazards to prenatal development
 Compare and contrast the growth patterns of physical development of infants and toddlers
 Illustrate

Are you ready? Then start the lessons now!

53
 Module

Lesson Prenatal Development

1

Objectives:

 Explain the prenatal development process; and

 Identify the common hazards to prenatal development.

Introduction:

When you see a pregnant woman, a newborn baby, a child, and an adult, have you ever
wondered how life starts? Where does human development begin?
You will find out the answers to these questions in this lesson.

Diagram Analysis

Analyze the diagram on

the right side of this box
and answer the analysis
questions below.

Picture 1. Kerpel, K. (2017). Stages of Prenatal Development

Analysis

 What did you understand about the illustration?

 How each stage presents human development?

54
Abstraction

Life starts at conception (Corpuz, Lucas, Borabo, & Lucido, 2015).

Conception is when a genetic material of the sperm and egg successfully unite to
form a single-celled zygote(Sigelman & Rider, 2009) . In fact, the length of the time
since conception, the age if zygote, embryo, or fetus is called gestational age
(Patterson, 2008).
Moreover, the changes that fertilized egg or zygote undergo in an average
of 38 weeks to be born as human refers to prenatal development (Kail &
Cavanaugh, 2014). This development is divided into three stages depending on the
lengths of development, namely: Germinal stage starts from conception to 2
weeks, the embryonic period begins from 2 weeks to 2 months, and fetal stage
lasts from 2 months until birth at about 9 months after conception (Levine &
Munsch, 2016). Table 1 summarizes of the Milestones of Prenatal Development.

Table 1
Milestones of Prenatal Development
MAJOR SPECIFIC DETAILS OF DEVELOPMENT
STAGE DEVELOPMEN PERIOD
DEVELOPMENT
T
Germinal 2. Creatio 24-30 male and female chromosome unite
Period n of hours
(first 2 zygote after
weeks 3. Continu fertilizatio
after ed cell n
concepti division
on) 4. Attach 36 hours fertilized ovum, zygote, divides into two cells
ment of 48 hours two cells become four cells
the four cells become a small compact ball of 16-32
zygote 72 hours
cells
to the 96 hours hollow ball of 64-128 cells
uterine 4-5 days inner cell mass (blastocyst) still free in the uterus
walls blastocyst attaches to *Blastocyst refers to
6-7 days
the wall of uterus the multicellular
blastocyst invades into organism that grows
uterine wall and from a fertilized ovum
11-15 becomes implanted in it during the germinal
days period, before
implantation into the
uterine wall
Embryoni 1. Cell First two endoderm- inner layer of cells develop to
c Period differen months digestive and respiratory systems
(2-8 tiation
ectoderm and mesoderm- outer layer of cells
weeks intensifi *Organog
develop to (ectoderm-outermost layer) nervous
after es enesis-
system, sensory receptors: eyes, ears, nose, and
concepti 2. Life- process
skin parts :nails, hair, and (mesoderm-middle
on) support of organ
layer) circulatory, skeletal, muscular, excretory,
55
 system and reproductive systems.
formation
s for
the Three
embryo Layers of
placenta, umbilical cord, and amnion develop
develop Embryo
3. Organs Formed
Appear
To be continued on the next page…

Fetal 1. Rapid AFTER CONCEPTION

Period Growth 3 inches long and weighs 1 ounce
2 in Size fetus becomes active, moves its arms, and legs,
months-7 and opens and closes its mouth, and moves its head;
3 months
months Maturit face, forehead, eyelids, nose, chin, upper arms,
after y lower arms, hands, lower limbs, and genitals can
concepti now be seen.
on 6 inches long and weighs 4 to 7 ounces
growth spurt occurs in the body’s lower parts; pre-
4 months
natal reflexes are stronger, mother feels arm and
leg movements for the first time.
fetus is about 12 inches long and weighs close to a
pound
5 months srtcutures of the skin (fingernails, toenails) have
formed
fetus is more active
fetus is about 14 inches long and weighs one and
half pound
6 months eyes and eyelids are completely formed, fine layer
of head covers the head, grasping reflex is present
and irregular movement occurs.
7 months fetus is about 16 inches long and weighs 3 pounds
8 and 9 fetus grows longer and gains substantial weight,
months about 4 pounds
Source: Corpuz, B. B., Lucas, M. R., Borabo, H. G., & Lucido, P. I. (2015); Sigelman & Rider (2009)

When a mother’s womb is developing a human being, it is considered the baby’s first
environment which affects its development in various ways (Moore & Persaud, 2003). Thus, it is
vital to know the environmental agents which causes birth defects and hampers normal prenatal
development which is called teratogen. This word comes from the Greek word “tera” means
monster that can be investigated through the field called, teratology (Corpuz, B. B., Lucas, M. R.,
Borabo, H. G., & Lucido, P. I. ,2015). Table 2 summarizes the hazards to prenatal development.

Table 2.
Hazards to prenatal development

Hazards Examples
Prescription and Prescription –antibiotic

56
nonprescription drugs Nonprescription- diet pills, aspirin, and coffee,
Psychoactive drugs nicotine, caffeine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin
Environmental hazards Radiation, X-rays, environmental pollutants, toxic wastes,
prolonged exposure to heat in saunas and bath tubs
Other Maternal Factors Syphilis, genital herpes, AIDS, nutrition, high anxiety, and stress
age (too early or too late, beyond 3)
Source: Corpuz, B. B., Lucas, M. R., Borabo, H. G., & Lucido, P. I. (2015)

Application

Imagine that your sister told you that she is

pregnant. What are the things that you can share to
your sister about prenatal development
considerations? List 10 things, ideas,
considerations that you can share to her.

Well done! You have just finished Lesson 1 of this module. Should there be some parts of the
lesson which you need clarification, please ask your teacher during your face-to-face interactions.

Now if you are ready, please proceed to Lesson 2 of this module which will discuss about the
next stage of human development, Infancy and Toddlerhood.

References
 Corpuz, B. B., Lucas, M. R., Borabo, H. G., & Lucido, P. I. (2015). Child and

Adolescent. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing, Inc.

 Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2014). Essentials of Human Development. USA:

Cengage Learning.

57
 Kerpel, K. (2017). stages-of-prenatal-development-2795073. Retrieved July 27,
2020, from https://www.verywellmind.com: https://www.verywellmind.com/stages-
of-prenatal-development-2795073

 Levine, L. E., & Munsch, J. (2018). Child Development. Los Angeles: Sage

Publication.

 Patterson, C. J. (2008). Child Development. New York: McGraw-Hill.

 Sigelman, C. K., & Rider, E. A. (2009). Life-Span Human Development. USA:

Cengage Learning.

58
 Module

Lesson Infancy and Toddler

- Rey Lanit, LPT
2

Objectives:

 Compare and contrast the growth patterns of physical, cognitive, and socio-
emotional development of infants and toddlers; and
 Illustrate through schematic diagram of strategies to support development of
infants and toddlers.

Introduction:

After learning about the prenatal development, you will now learn about the next level of
human development, infancy and toddlerhood.

Fish Tank

Analyze the picture on the

right side of this box and
write down words that can
describe the picture on the
fish in the fish tank below.

Picture 1. Haynes, Shane. (2016). Physical Development and Biological Aging

59
Analysis

 What changes did you see in the picture?

 What is the pattern of human development shown in the picture?

Abstraction

Infancy can be defined as the first year of child’s life after birth. Newborn is
the term used to refer to an infant for
the first month after birth. An infant
(newborn) has very large head but
with short arms and legs with narrow
shoulders and hips ([ CITATION CK1 \l
1033 ].

On the other hand, toddler

refers to children between 1-3 years
old. This second stage is called
toddler because the child is learning
to “toddle” or walk [ CITATION CK1 \l
1033 ] .

Furthermore, human growth follows a pattern. One of the general principles which characterize all
human growth is directionality. This principle defines growth as having intrinsic direction and can
be classified into two: cephalocaudal and proximodistal. Specifically, cephalocaudal means top
to bottom growth pattern or head to tail while proximodistal refers to center to outside or inner
body to the extremities growth pattern (Patterson, 2008).

[ CITATION Jog15 \l 1033 ]

60
 The height, weight, brain size, cognition, and motor skills changes as an infant gets older.
Look at the table below as it shows a summary of the changes an infant and toddler experience.

Table 1.
Development of Infant and Toddler
Aspects of
Developmen INFANTS TODDLER
t
Newborn increases height by 30 percent 1-2 years old children’s average height is
in the first five months. about 3-5 inches.
Height 2-5 years old children’s average height is
about 3 inches.
Newborn babies normally drop 5 to 10 1-2 years old children gain an average of
percent of bodyweight for a couple of 1.4-2.3 kg.
weeks because of baby’s neonatal 2-5 years old children gain an average of
Weight feeding adjustment. But they rapidly 1.5 -2.5 kg.
grow once they get the grip of sucking,
swallowing, and digesting.
Newborn’s brain is about a quarter size By the age of 3, the brain keeps growing
Brain of an adult brain’s weight. to 80% of adult size.
From birth to six weeks, simple From 1 year to 18 months, tertiary
reflexes (coordination of sensation and circular reactions, novelty, and
action through reflexive actions) are curiosity develop like experimenting
shown by the infant. behavior
From six weeks to four months, first From 18 months to 24 months,
habits (reflex) and primary circular Internalization of schemes (invention
reactions (repetition of action) are of new means through mental
executed. combination) develops like using
Cognitive primitive symbols and mental
From four months to eight months, presentations.
secondary circular reactions like
being object oriented and coordination
between vision and prehension.
From eight to twelve months,
coordination of reactions stage
secondary circular like coordination of
vision and touch.
Reflexes
Moro Reflex (Responding Disappears 1-2 years old
to sudden sounds after 2 1. Moves into sitting position without
months support
Rooting (turning head in a Disappears
direction and opening of 2. Pulls up to stand and walks alone
mouth) after 4 while holding onto furniture
months
3. Takes few steps without support
Tonic Neck Reflex Disappears of adult or furniture
Motor (fencing position, after 5-7
extending the arm and leg 4. Stands alone
on the side ) months 5. Begins to run
Palmar grasp ( grabbing Disappears 6. Climbs onto and down from
or holding) after 5-6 furniture without support
months
7. Walks up and down steps while
Plantar grasp Disappears holding on for support
(prehension using the after 9-12
toes) months 8. Throws ball overhand
Language 6 months-12 months 18 months to 36 months
1. Responds to sounds by making 1. Says several single words
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 sounds
2. Says and shakes head “no”
2. Strings vowels together when
3. Points to show someone what he
babbling (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”) and
wants
takes turns while making sounds
4. Points to things or pictures when
3. Responds to own name
they are named
To be continued on the next page…
4. Says “mama” and “dada” and 5. Knows names of familiar people
exclamations like “uh-oh!” and body parts
5. Tries to say words you say 6. Says sentences with 2 to 4 words
7. Follows instructions with 2 or 3
steps
8. Can name most familiar things
9. Understands words like “in,” “on,”
and “under”

6 months-12 months 18 months-36 months

1. Knows familiar faces and begins 1. Likes to hand things to others as

to know if someone is a stranger play
2. Likes to play with others, 2. May have temper tantrums
especially parents
3. Puts out arm or leg to help with 3. Copies others, especially adults
Socio-
Emotional dressing and older children
4. Plays games such as “peek-a- 4. Gets excited when with other
boo” and “pat-a-cake” children
5. Shows more and more
independence
6. May get upset with major
changes in routine
7. Dresses and undresses self

Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics (2009); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013);
Corpuz, Lucas, Borabo, & Lucido (2015); First Things First (2020); HealthyFamilies BC (2013)

Application

Supply the table below with your strategies on how to support and improve the
different aspects of development for both the infant and toddler

Strategies
Aspects of Development
Infants Toddler
Cognitive

Language

Motor

Socio-Emotional

Well done! You have just finished Lesson 2 of this module. Should there be some parts of the
lesson which you need clarification, please ask your teacher during your face-to-face interactions.

62
 Now if you are ready, please proceed to Lesson 3 of this module which will discuss about the
next stage of human development.

References:

Module

63
 Lesson
3 Early Childhood
-Rey Lanit, LPT

Objectives:

 Explain the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional growth and development of

early childhood learners; and
 Create connections between the previously learned theories and development of
early childhood learners.

Introduction:

After learning about the prenatal development, and infancy and toddlerhood, you will now
learn about the next level of human development, early childhood.

How old am I?
Guess the Age
Ryan can now
Read and analyze the play rhyming
milestone on the right side games and
of this box and guess the sing out words
age of the child.
that rhyme like
ban, can, fan,
man, pan, and,
ran.

Analysis

 What do you think is the age of Ryan?

 What domain or aspect of development is emphasized in the milestone?

Abstraction

64
 Early childhood refers to the age range from birth to eight years old which considered as a
period of rapid changes of different aspects (physical, cognitive, socio-emotional,
and language development)of human development[ CITATION Bro14 \l 1033 ].

Since we already discussed in the previous part of this module about

infancy and toddler which is from 1 – 3 years old, we will now discuss about the development of 4-
8 years old children in different aspects of human development. Please refer to the summarized
table to see the big picture of the milestones of development.

Table 1
Early Childhood Development (specifically 4-8 years old)

Aspects of
Development Boys Girls
4 yr 5 yr 6yr 7yr 8yr 4yr 5yr 6yr 7yr 8yr
Height 3 ft 4 3ft 7 3ft 4 ft 4ft 2 3 ft 4 3ft 7 3 ft 9 4 ft 22.9
in in 10in in in in in kg
Weight 16.3 18.5 20.8k 23.2 25.8 15.9 18 kg 20.3 4 ft 2 25.8
kg kg g kg kg kg kg in kg
Brain The brain size is at 90% which means It is nearly full grown at the age of five.

1. Ego-centric, illogical, magical thinking

2. Explosion of vocabulary; learning syntax, grammar; understood by 75% of
people by age 3
3. Poor understanding of time, value, sequence of events Vivid imaginations;
some difficulty separating fantasy from reality
4. Accurate memory, but more suggestible than older children Primitive
Cognitive drawing, can’t represent themselves in drawing till age 4
5. Don’t realize others have different perspective
6. Leave out important facts
7. May misinterpret visual cues of emotions
8. Receptive language better than expressive till age 4
9. Perspective taking: 5-8 yr: can recognize others’ perspectives, can’t
assume the role of the other

1. Physically active
2. can’t sit still for long
3. Clumsy throwing balls
4. Refines complex skills: hopping, jumping, climbing, running, ride “big
Physical
wheels” and tricycles
5. Improving fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination: cut with scissors,
draw shapes 3–
6. 3 ½ yr: most toilet trained
To be continued on the next page…
Language

1. 5 years, children know that sounds make up words. They can identify
65
 words beginning with the same sound – for example, ‘Mummy made magic
marshmallows’. They can also spot words that rhyme. They might play
rhyming games and sing out words that rhyme, like ‘bat’, ‘cat’, ‘fat’, ‘hat’
and ‘mat’.

2. 5-6 years, child might know some or all of the sounds that go with the
different letters of the alphabet. This is important for the development of
reading skills. At this age, children also learn that single sounds combine
into words. For example, when you put the ‘t’, ‘o’ and ‘p’ sounds together,
they make the word ‘top’.

3. 6 years, children can usually read simple stories and write or copy letters
of the alphabet.

4. 8 years, child understands what he’s reading. He might be reading on his

own, and reading might even be one of his favorite activities. By this age
children can also write a simple story

1. Play: Cooperative, imaginative, may involve fantasy and imaginary friends,

takes turns in games
2. Develops social skills; experiment with social roles; reduces fears
3. Wants to please adults
4. Development of conscience: incorporates parental prohibitions; feels guilty
when disobedient; simplistic idea of “good and bad” behavior
5. Curious about his and other’s bodies, may masturbate
Socio- 6. No sense of privacy
Emotional 7. Primitive, stereotypic understanding of gender roles
8. Self-esteem based on what others tell him or her
9. Increasing ability to control emotions; less emotional outbursts
10. Rules relied upon to guide behavior and play, and provide child with
structure and security 5-6 yr: believe rules can be changed 7-8 yrs: strict
adherence to rules
11. 6-9 yr: have questions about pregnancy, intercourse, sexual swearing,
look for nude pictures in books, magazines

Source:

Barret & Young (2020); First Things First (2020); Gavin (2019); Raisingchildren.net.au
(2017); The Institute for Human Services for the Ohio Child Welfare training Program,
(2007)

66
Application

Supply the table below with theories that can support the milestones of
development for each aspect or domain for early childhood learners.

Aspects of Development Theories

Cognitive

Language

Physical

Socio-Emotional

Well done! You have just finished Lesson 3 of this module. Should there be some parts of the
lesson which you need clarification, please ask your teacher during your face-to-face interactions.

Now if you are ready, please proceed to Lesson 4 of this module which will discuss about the
next stage of human development.

References:

 American Academy of Pediatrics. (2009, August 1). English/ages-

stages/baby/Pages/Newborn-Reflexes.aspx. Retrieved July 27, 2020, from
https://www.healthychildren.org: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-
stages/baby/Pages/Newborn-Reflexes.aspx

 Barret, C. B., & Young, P. (2020, April 8). average-weight-and-growth-chart-for-babies-

toddlers-and-beyo_10357633.bc. Retrieved July 27, 2020, from
https://www.babycenter.com: https://www.babycenter.com/0_average-weight-and-growth-
chart-for-babies-toddlers-and-beyo_10357633.bc

 Browne, K. W., & Gordon, A. M. (2014). Beginnings and Beyond. Wadsworth: Cengage.

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Developmental Milestones.

 CK-12. (2020). ck-12-biology-advanced-concepts/section/17.88/. Retrieved July 28, 2020,

from https://www.ck12.org: https://www.ck12.org/book/ck-12-biology-advanced-
concepts/section/17.88/

 First Things First. (2020). /early-childhood-matters/brain-development/. Retrieved July 27,

2020, from https://www.firstthingsfirst.org: https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/early-childhood-
matters/brain-development/

 Gavin, M. L. (2019, June). /parents/growth-4-to-5. Retrieved July 27, 2020, from

https://kidshealth.org/en: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/growth-4-to-5.html#:~:text=An
%20average%204%2Dyear%2Dold,is%20about%2040%20inches%20tall.
 HealthyFamilies BC. (2013, August 12). home/articles/healthy-growth-weight-toddlers.

Retrieved July 29, 2020, from https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/healthy-

67
 growth-weight-toddlers: https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/healthy-growth-

weight-toddlers

 Jogindra, V. (2015). Nursing Foundation: Concepts and Perspectives.

 Raisingchildren.net.au. (2017, November 27). school-age/development/language-

development/language-5-8-years. Retrieved July 27, 2020, from

https://raisingchildren.net.au: https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-

age/development/language-development/language-5-8-years#:~:text=Storytelling%20and

%20language%20development,things%20that%20have%20actually%20happened.

The Institute for Human Services for the Ohio Child Welfare training Program. (2007, October).
Retrieved July 27, 2020

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