CONTEXT
This lesson is the second of a two-part series aimed at introducing students to the different stages of growth and development in human beings from birth to 18 years of age. In these lessons, students become familiar with the four key periods of growth and human development: infancy (birth to 2 years old), early childhood (3 to 8 years old), middle childhood (9 to 11 years old), and adolescence (12 to 18 years old). For each stage of development, they learn about key physical stages or milestones, which are research and science-supported indicators that help to track the progress of a child's physical development at different stages of life. Conversely, they also learn that it is very natural and normal for children to reach these markers at different times.
Growth Stages 1: Infancy and Early Childhood helps students to become better aware of all of the natural physical stages of growth children experience in the first five years of life. In Growth Stages 2: Middle Childhood and Early Adolescence, students focus on the kinds of physical changes that children in their age range begin to undergo during puberty.
Research shows that children are fascinated by films and stories about early stages of human development and they are particularly intrigued by comparisons of themselves now and earlier. It may be helpful at this level to inform students about changes that will take place in them during adolescence, since when they reach puberty, they may be too embarrassed to talk to adults about it. The importance for growth of adequate rest, proper food, regular checkups, and shots to prevent disease should be supported by some science behind the advice. (Benchmarks for Science Literacy, p.132.)
For more background information and research, see the Growth 2: Human Development teacher sheet.
Ideas in this lesson are also related to concepts found in the following benchmark: