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Module 1: Introduction to Physical Development
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Use the readings, videos, and the supplemental resources in this guide to complete the
study focus questions below. Note that the notebook includes active links to some
of the resources, i.e. videos, graphic organizers, practice questions.
**TIP – If you plan to print the notebook out and fill it in by hand, you can add spaces in
the charts for your notes beforehand.
After engaging with this module, you should be able to do the following:
Describe Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
Explain the stages of physical development.
Identify physical development expectations.
Milestone 1: Identify and provide examples of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for each
level. (See p. 11 of your course materials)
Level Description and Examples
Physiological Physiological needs are biological requirements for survival,
such as food, water, shelter, and clothing.
Safety Safety needs include protection from the elements, financial
and physical security, law and order, and freedom from fear.
Love/Belonging Love and belonging needs involve interpersonal relationships-
friendships, intimacy, trust, romance and love, and being part
of a group.
Esteem Esteem needs include self-respect, respect from others,
achievement, independence, status, and prestige.
Self-Actualization Self- actualization needs involve personal growth and
fulfillment and the realization of one’s personal potential as a
human being or – as Maslow put it- a desire “to become
everything one is capable of becoming.”
Video Review Maslow's Adapted Hierarchy of Needs
Additional Notes:
Milestone 2: Identify the physical development expectations for the following stages: (See p. 12
in your course)
Stage Ages Physical Developmental Expectations
Infant Children add dozens of motor skills to their repertoire
Birth-two during their first 2 years. Infants hold up their heads, roll
years over, reach for things, sit, crawl, and walk. In their 2nd
year, infants begin to walk with increased coordination
and manipulate small toys with their hands. By the time
they are 2, most infants can feed themselves with their
hands, make a small tower of cubes, jump and run
awkwardly, throw a ball, and use a zipper.
Early Childhood In early childhood, significant improvements occur in
Two to six both gross and fine motor skills. Toddlers love to run,
years hop, tumble, climb, and swing. Fine motor skill
development allows them to string beads and put
together jigsaw puzzles. They also begin to scribble and
later print and draw rudimentary figures. By age 4, many
children can print their names. Young children also
typically begin to dress and undress themselves and eat
with utensils.
Middle 6-10 years Older children continue to gain weight and height-slowly
Childhood but steadily. Permanent teeth also begin to come in
during this time. Children in middle childhood often begin
to participate in organized sports as their speed and
coordination skills advance. Continued refinement of fine
motor skills results in improved handwriting, and their
drawings become increasingly representational. Many
children use their fine motor skills to sew, build models,
or do other crafts.
Adolescence 10-18 years Weight and height begin to increase rapidly in early
adolescence, and puberty typically begins. Girls usually
begin puberty at an earlier age than boys. For both
sexes, the increase in hormones may impact behavior.
They may begin to think of themselves as adults and
reject adult authority, which includes teachers. By late
adolescence, boys have grown taller and more muscular
than most girls of the same age. Older adolescents reach
sexual maturity and girls’ physical growth slows, though
boys may continue to grow into early adulthood.
Video Review Physical Development - Infancy
Physical Development - Early Childhood
Physical Development - Middle Childhood
Physical Development - Adolescence
Graphic Organizer Physical Development
Additional Notes:
Slide Review Physical Development
Module Key Terms
Instructions: Be sure you can define, explain and provide examples for the following terms
Maslow Physical Development Stages
Deficiency Needs Infancy
Physiological Needs Early Childhood
Safety Needs Middle Childhood
Esteem Needs Adolescence
Love and Belonging Needs
Growth Needs
Self-Actualization
Complete the Module 1 Practice Questions