Development during Adulthood

Learning Intention: To develop and understanding of the three stages of adulthood & the developmental milestones associated with these

Lesson 1+2

Key Knowledge The different classifications of the stages of adulthood Characteristics of physical development during adulthood, including the physiological changes associated with ageing The social, emotional and intellectual development associated with the stages of adulthood and ageing Learning Tasks:

Key Skills Describe the stages of adulthood and ageing and Describe the characteristics of development during adulthood

1. In your workbooks brainstorm ten changes you expect to happen to you during adulthood. Think about physical, intellectual, emotional or social changes such as gaining fulltime employment or retiring. Next to each you are to justify why you think each is associated with adulthood. For example I will get a job when Im an adult, as I will have been to university for three years and finished my degree, which allow me to work as a graphic artist. I need to work to pay my bills and support my family. Once you have finished we will discuss your responses as a class.

2. Work with a partner to complete the Development Across Adulthood handout (you both need a copy of this). I will stop you at regular intervals to check how you are progressing with this. Once you have finished the table, use chapter ten of your textbooks to check you have completed the table correctly. If you find you have made a mistake you can either draw arrows or colour code your work to correct this, rather than re-writing it.

3. Complete the handout What stage of the adult lifespan do these adults fit into? You can work independently or with a partner to complete this, however if you do work with someone else, you will both need a copy of the work. When you have finished we will discuss your responses as a class.

DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADULTHOOD by Zoe Cuskelly

Age Range: Ranges from ages 19-39. Age range starts at approximately age of 40 years. Starts at approximately 65 years of age and represents the final stage of the lifespan. Physical Development: During this period, physical maturity has been generally reached although there are some variations. Sensory organs begin to decline around 45-50 and there is some loss of sensation to touch. Sexual maturity is reached and it is usually the time of reproduction which brings significant changes to a womans body. There is continual but gradual weakening and decline of the body systems. Physical appearance continues to change. The sensory organs are at their sharpest, reaching their peak at around 20 years old. Time of peak physical status as most body systems reach their optimum functioning. Hair may begin to turn grey, thing and lose strength, Wrinkles will start to appear and women will go through menopause. The efficiency of most body functions begins to decline in the 20s at approx. 1% per year. Changes in body height, weight and shape also occur. The spine compacts causing many old adults to become shorter. There is continued greying and thinning of the hair and a further loss of elasticity of the skin. The proportion of body fat increases, while muscle tone decreases. Social Development: Significant changes and decisions relating to sexuality, moving out of home, selecting a partner, children, parenting, studying and your career will influence social development. Adjustments such as children leaving the family home, and starting their own family will effect social development in this stage of adulthood. The role of a grandparent may become more of a focus. Adjustments such as retirement from the workforce, changes in relationships, loss of loved ones and adjusting to the physical effects of ageing will affect social development in this stage of adulthood. Continue to be independent and priorities social contact with family, friends and social groups. Emotional Development: Young adults often continue to search for an identity, especially in their working role. Possible loneliness brought by a lack of companionship may occur after the death of a spouse during middle adulthood. The transition from work to retirement is a significant social change and can have huge impacts on emotional development. Employment status, job satisfaction and financial security can all impact on self-esteem during early adulthood. Older adults who feel secure, have the support of friends and family and feel valued are likely to remain positive and optimistic. Coping with changes in routine, feelings of boredom, loneliness and loss requires a difficult adjustment and will effect emotional development. Coping with the changes associated with ageing. Intellectual Development: Gains can still be made in intellectual ability through life experiences, but there is a decline in information processing abilities. Knowledge is still being gained and the capacity to store knowledge and further build permanent memories is limitless. The ability to process information and solve problems will generally improve during this stage.

DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADULTHOOD

Complete the following table, inserting the developmental milestones into the appropriate stages of adulthood. Use chapter ten of your textbooks to double check your answers once you have finished.
STAGE OF ADULTHOOD Early Adulthood Age Range: PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT SOCIAL DEVELPMENT EMOTIONAL INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT Emotional Young adults
development will depend upon the experience of lifes changes and the level of adjustment that was needed. retain their cognitive abilities and many would argue that the ability to problem solve and to predict in an abstract way continues to develop in young adults who are challenged to use these skills. Intellectual development can be further developed during every day activities such as jobs such as cooking

Hormones that regulate growth during early adulthood are thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroxin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone.

DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADULTHOOD

STAGE OF ADULTHOOD Middle Adulthood Age Range: The ageing process continues at the same steady rate, but the levels of physical change become more noticeable.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT There is a

continued gradual slowing down of the bodies reflexes and motor skills. There are small but gradual losses in muscle strength and after 50 years of age, the muscles begin to reduce in size.

SOCIAL DEVELPMENT

EMOTIONAL INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT The rate of

decline in our ability to think and reason is fairly gentle. The onset of mental deterioration can be delayed if adults keep their minds active as long as possible.

DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ADULTHOOD

STAGE OF PHYSICAL SOCIAL EMOTIONAL INTELLECTUAL

ADULTHOOD Late/older Adulthood Age Range: Represents the final stage of the lifespan.

DEVELOPMENT DEVELPMENT There is a Many older

decrease in muscular strength, agility and endurance which impacts on motor development and reflexes. adults create or develop new interests which brings new roles and responsibilities

DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT Adults who plan Most intellectual

and prepare for retirement and the changes involved find it easier to make the transition and therefore it has less effect on their emotional development. abilities start to decline slowly from about 70 years of age.

What stage of the adult lifespan do these adults fit Task: into???
1. 2. Draw a time line from early- late adult hood Paste 2 of the above pictures into their appropriate stage of the lifespan Below each picture justify why you selected this particular person for each stage of the lifespan referring to Physical development characteristics discussed last lesson Guess the exact age of each person on your timeline

3.

4.