| Developmental Period | Inherited/Genetic or Acquired/Learned Characteristics | Implications of In-School Learning | APA Reference Citation | |
| Prenatal (gestational period pre-birth) | There are three main milestones in which include the germinal stage, embryonic and fetal (Crawford et al., 2020). The germinal stage start after the sperm fertilizes the egg. The zygote develops the outer during the process of differentiation at the eight-cell point. This stage takes two weeks. During this period, the cell travels from the fallopian tube to the uterine wall (Crawford et al., 2020). The embryonic and fetal stages involve rapid development in terms of weight and shape formation. The period lasts nine months. |
The characteristics at this level are genetic. For instance, chromosomes determine the gender of the fetus. The zygote is completed by the two sets of 23 chromosomes which determine conditions such as down syndrome caused by defaults in number of chromosomes of either parent (Crawford et al., 2020). There are no learned characteristics but acquired ones include color. |
During this period, learning has not begun to take place. Cognition is not developed. | Crawford, D., Noakes, A., & Davies, K. (2020). Biological basis of child health 2: introduction to fertilisation, prenatal development and birth. Nursing Children and Young People , 32 (3). |
| Infancy (0-1 year) | This is the sensory development stage. Between 0 to 2 months, the infant develops primitive reflexes and can move muscles when touched. The infant can move the head and limbs. At 3 to 4 months, the infant has eye muscle movement, and there is the diminishing of primitive reflexes (Keenan et al., 2016). In the 5th month, the infant can sit without support. Crawling begins between 6 to 9 months. The infant walks and imitates simple words between 10 and 12 months. |
Characteristics at this stage include speech, walking and imitation. Acquired behavior includes imitation of simple words such as mama and imitation of simple muscle movement such as smiling (Keenan et al., 2016). Traits such as dimples and earlobe attachment are inherent characteristics that can be seen. |
Complex learning has not begun as the child has not developed cognitive ability for in school learning. | Keenan, T., Evans, S., & Crowley, K. (2016). An introduction to child development . Sage. |
| Toddlerhood (1-2 years) | Milestones in the first year include skills like smiling, waving, taking simple steps. In the second year, movement is more stable and with minimal help. The toddler is aware of the environment (Erskine, 2019). Additionally, there is the formation of complete sentences and can follow simple instructions such as being direct to sit down. | The effects of inherited traits such as anxiety and disorders start to become evident. For instance, there may be excessive defiance and crying (Erskine, 2019). Children show independence. Inherited features such as color of hair and shape of nose are more evident. Acquired characteristics include injuries on knees and calluses. | In school learning has not started. Nonetheless, the child develops behaviors imitated from those around them such as other children (Erskine, 2019). There is a rapid cognitive development due to social learning. | Erskine, R. G. (2019). Child Development in Integrative Psychotherapy: Erik Erikson’s First Three Stages. International Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy , 10 , 11-34. |
| Early Childhood (3-8 years) | Includes the preoperational stage. Able to perform complex motor skills such as running and skipping, More balance ability which enables them to ride bicycle. | Inherited abilities such as singing and playing football start to manifest at this stage. Inherent behavioral disorders such as ADHD are more pronounced, and the child indicates more excitement issues (Erskine, 2019). | Implications of learning include more developed cognitive ability that enables child to develop skills such as drawing and painting. The child can understand complex concepts such as colors, time, size and can read and write. | Erskine, R. G. (2019). Child Development in Integrative Psychotherapy: Erik Erikson’s First Three Stages. International Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy , 10 , 11-34. |
| Middle Childhood (8-11 years) | Milestones in this stage achievement of skills that require high level of cognition and ability to work and play in groups (Moore, 2017). There is development of significant daily routine and following more than one instruction at a go. | Inherited traits that are noticeable at this stage include the green/red colorblindness. Acquired characteristics include physical injuries due to team sports such as basketball. | Implications of in-school learning are forming relationships with peers and the development of complex language due to understanding of the use of unique codes. Ability to perform logical equations. | Moore, R. C. (2017). Childhood's domain: Play and place in child development (Vol. 6). Routledge. |
| Adolescence (12-18 years) | In this stage there is the growth of pubic hairs and other features such as broad shoulders and increase in size of features like the breasts and the penis (Keenan et al., 2016). The most significant milestone is the beginning of the menstrual cycle. | Development of inherited features such as muscle structure, height and weight (Keenan et al., 2016). Voice is are inherited from mother or father and becomes more prominent at this stage | There is the development of formal reasoning which is learned through interaction with peers and environment in school. Higher understanding of language, symbols and materials due to exercising of cerebrum | Keenan, T., Evans, S., & Crowley, K. (2016). An introduction to child development . Sage. |
References
Crawford, D., Noakes, A., & Davies, K. (2020). Biological basis of child health 2: introduction to fertilisation, prenatal development and birth. Nursing Children and Young People , 32 (3).
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Erskine, R. G. (2019). Child Development in Integrative Psychotherapy: Erik Erikson’s First Three Stages. International Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy , 10 , 11-34.
Keenan, T., Evans, S., & Crowley, K. (2016). An introduction to child development . Sage.
Moore, R. C. (2017). Childhood's domain: Play and place in child development (Vol. 6). Routledge.
