The 40 weeks include the moment of conception when 1 of the 20,000 sperms chemically break down the outer layer of the ovum and gets chemically united with female egg and zygote is formed. The process continues to the point of labor and delivery and finally a human baby with all the vital capabilities is created. This prenatal stage of development is the miracle of creation.
The stages of development are as follows:
- Infancy and Childhood
- Adolescence.
- Adulthood
Infancy and Childhood
The physical development starts from the development of nerve cells with in the brain. They multiply in thousands after birth. As this stage is the growing stage of brain cells we have less memory and consciousness that is why we are unable to remember our early years. The motor development leads to the skills like sitting, standing, walking, etc. and shows us the maturation capacity of infants.
Jean Piaget's propose theory of mind that states that children progress from simplicity of sensory motors stage in the first two years to complicated stages of thinking. He believed that in the preschool stage children are egocentric and at about age of 6-7 they tried to comprehend the principle of conservation and finally at about age 12 they have abstract reasoning.
The social development at this stage highlights attachment and self conception.
Adolescence
This stage starts from the period of puberty which is sexual maturation and about the interaction of genes to the environment. According to Piaget's this stage is the stage of reasoning and moral thinking. Lawrence Kohlberg proposed that moral thinking consist of sequence of stages from a pre conventional morality of self interest to conventional morality concern with others interest. This stage also comprises self interest as well as gaining interest of others by getting approval from them.
The main task in adolescence is developing an identity of his or her which is mentioned by Erik Eriksson. The social interaction is much with the parents which helps in creating the beliefs and attitudes. Most of the teenagers affirm their parent's belief and attitudes. At this stage they perceive things in the light of their beliefs and attitudes. The influence of peers is also very strong on them.
Adulthood
In adulthood a persons life experiences and traits is not dependent on his age. His body mind and relationship undergoes many changes as along as he lives and adapts. In middle adult hood a significant physical change in woman which is called menopause. After the age of sixty five, the stamina declines in men and women and neural processes become slow.
With the passage of time the recognition of memory becomes strong and memory recollection declines for base less past memories. In early adult hood a steady intellectual declines. The adult pass through different life stages as the transition to midlife begins during the early forty's. The people become unpredictable and are influenced by different events of love and work. The adulthood is based upon experiences in life with there family members and friends.
