Physical Changes Conception to Late Adulthood

Fetal Stage (Conception-Birth) During the first 8 weeks, the embryo becomes a fetus and develops fingers, toes, eyes, ears, a nose, a mouth, a heart, and a circulatory system. The respiratory system continues to develop By the time the baby is born, they measure about 20 inches in length

Infancy (Birth-2 years)  Dramatic gains continue in height and weight  Infants usually double their birth weight within five months and triple it within a year  In the first year, they grow about 10 inches in height  During the second year, infants gain another 4-6 inches in height and 4-7 pounds in weight Motor Development: o Babies are born with certain reflexes such as: grasping, breathing, blinking, rooting, the Moro reflex, Babinski reflex, etc. o By 4 months, infants start developing attachments to their caregivers o At 8 months, most infants develop stranger anxiety and separation anxiety

Childhood (2 years-Adolescence) Early Childhood (2-6 ) Middle Childhood(7-11) Children begin to loos baby fat around age 3 They begin to grow, getting taller and taller each year By age 6, children reach an average height of 46 inches and weight of 46 pounds Girls tend to hit a growth spurt around age 9 or 10 while boys hit their growth spurt around age 11 or 12 Experience a great deal of growing pains Children gain around 2-3 inches and 4-6 pounds each year

Adolescence (12-19)  Adolescents hit a growth spurt that lasts 2-3 years in which they grow about 8-12 inches in height; marks the end of childhood  Adolescence begins with puberty in which the body dramatically changes  In girls: growth of breast tissue and supportive tissue in hips and buttocks, pelvic region widens and hips become rounder, growth of pubic and underarm hair, beginning of menstruation  In boys: Sexual organs grow, voice deepens, hair grows on face and chest, develop broader shoulders and thicker bodies

Adulthood (19-death) Young Adulthood(20-40 ) Reach physical peak in 20s, they are faster, stronger, more coordinated, and have more endurance than ever before Middle Adulthood(40-65) Begin to loose some of their strength, coordination, and stamina Greatest challenge is generativity Late Adulthood(65&older) Wrinkles and folds occur as skin becomes less elastic Senses become less sharp Reflexes and reaction times get slower Bones become more brittle Immune systems weaken