The Different Life Stages People Pass Through During the Life Course
Prenatal Development (Conception to Birth)
- Starts at conception when the sperm fertilises the egg to form a single cell.
- The single cell divides into multiple cells, grows and eventually forms a baby.
- The process takes approximately nine months and is divided into three trimesters.
- Key stages include cell multiplication, embryonic stage, and foetal stage.
- During the embryonic stage, vital organs and primary body systems begin to form.
- The foetal stage includes significant growth and development of the organism.
Infancy and Early Childhood (Birth to 5 Years)
- This stage involves rapid physical growth and development.
- Milestones include walking, speaking and developing a sense of self, emotions, and social relationships.
- First steps in independent movement happen during this stage with key milestones of crawling, standing and walking.
- Speech development begins, ranging from cooing, babbling, first words to short sentences.
Middle Childhood (6 to 11 Years)
- Physical growth continues at a slower rate compared to early childhood.
- Developing further cognitive, emotional and social skills.
- Social interactions widen outside of the family circle, often centred around school and peers.
- Milestones include improving reading and mathematical skills, understanding more complex ideas, developing friendships, and having a more defined sense of self.
Adolescence (12 to 18 Years)
- This stage is marked by puberty where physical changes occur leading to sexual maturity.
- Higher complex cognitive tasks are possible due to continued brain development.
- Emotional and social development involves forming an identity separate from parents, understanding complex emotions and handling more mature relationships.
- Other significant elements include growing independence and starting to make life-defining choices about future careers or paths.
Early Adulthood (19 to 40 Years)
- Generally, people reach their physical peak in early adulthood.
- This phase often involves choosing a career, selecting a partner, and starting a family.
- Important milestones could include going to university, starting a job, getting married, or having children.
Middle Adulthood (41 to 60 Years)
- Typically a period of stability in relationships, career and family life.
- Some individuals may experience the "midlife crisis", reassessing their achievements and setting new goals.
- As individuals age, they may experience physical changes such as menopause or decreased strength and stamina.
- Nurturing relationships with aging parents, parenting adolescents or young adults may be key aspects of this stage.
Late Adulthood (61 Years and Over)
- Often marked by retirement, this phase may come with immense changes in lifestyle.
- Physical decline generally continues; greater risk of disease or disability.
- Includes reflection on life lived, coming to terms with mortality.
- Important social and emotional aspects include dealing with loss, maintaining social connections, living with decreased independence.