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30 Nov 2025

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Physical Growth and Development in Humans

user profile picture

Courtney Fowler @courtneyfowler

Ever wondered how your body develops from birth to old age? Physical development is all about how we... Show more

Physical

We all grow & develop in different ways as we pass.
through ure stages

development- About the way Children learn to use their
bod

Understanding Physical Growth vs Development

Your body is constantly changing, but there's actually two different processes happening. Growth is the simple stuff - getting taller, heavier, and physically bigger. Development is way more interesting - it's how you learn to control your body and master new skills.

Physical development follows some pretty clever patterns that work the same for everyone. You develop from top to toe (head control before walking) and from inner to outer (arm control before finger precision). This is why babies can wave their arms around ages before they can pick up tiny objects.

Everyone develops at their own pace though. Some infants zoom through milestones whilst others take their time - and both are completely normal. The important thing is that the skills eventually develop, not exactly when they happen.

Quick Tip Remember PIES - Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social development all happen together and affect each other.

Physical

We all grow & develop in different ways as we pass.
through ure stages

development- About the way Children learn to use their
bod

Infancy Milestones (0-24 months)

This is when the most dramatic changes happen - babies go from helpless newborns to walking, climbing toddlers in just two years! Gross motor skills (big movements) and fine motor skills (precise movements) develop alongside each other.

In the first six months, babies learn to hold their heads up and roll over. They can grip a rattle but can't really control it properly yet. By their first birthday, most babies are sitting independently and starting to walk whilst holding furniture.

The 12-24 month period is when things get exciting. Toddlers master walking, start climbing stairs, and can kick balls around. Their hand control improves dramatically - they can build towers with blocks, scribble with crayons, and feed themselves with a spoon.

Remember These are average ages - some babies walk at 10 months, others at 15 months, and both are perfectly normal!

Physical

We all grow & develop in different ways as we pass.
through ure stages

development- About the way Children learn to use their
bod

Childhood Development (2-8 years)

By age 8, most children have mastered the basic physical skills they'll use for life. This stage is all about refining movements and becoming more coordinated and confident with their bodies.

Early childhood sees major improvements in balance and coordination. Two-year-olds can walk upstairs properly, and by three they're jumping off low steps. Their hand skills become much more precise - they can draw recognisable shapes and turn book pages without tearing them.

The detailed chart shows exactly what to expect at each age, but the key point is that children become increasingly independent. They're building the foundation skills needed for sports, writing, and all the physical activities they'll enjoy later.

Study Smart Focus on the general progression rather than memorising exact ages - exams often test your understanding of the patterns, not specific months.

Physical

We all grow & develop in different ways as we pass.
through ure stages

development- About the way Children learn to use their
bod

How Illness Affects Development

Illness doesn't just make you feel rubbish - it can seriously impact development across all four PIES areas. Understanding these connections is crucial for supporting people through health challenges.

Physical and intellectual impacts are often linked. Missing school due to illness affects learning, whilst problems with memory and concentration make decision-making harder. Tiredness and mobility issues can completely prevent physical activity.

The emotional and social consequences can be just as serious. Illness often causes worry and stress, leading to low self-esteem and loss of independence. This particularly affects older adults who may become isolated from friends and family.

Relationships can suffer when illness prevents socialising or building new connections. Sometimes the stress of managing health problems can even cause existing relationships to break down.

Exam Focus Questions often ask about the knock-on effects of illness - remember that problems in one PIES area usually affect the others too.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

1

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Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

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Xander S

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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

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Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

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Anna

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Thomas R

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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

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Health & Social Care

228

30 Nov 2025

4 pages

Physical Growth and Development in Humans

user profile picture

Courtney Fowler

@courtneyfowler

Ever wondered how your body develops from birth to old age? Physical development is all about how we grow bigger and stronger, while also learning to control our movements - from a baby's first steps to playing sports as a... Show more

Physical

We all grow & develop in different ways as we pass.
through ure stages

development- About the way Children learn to use their
bod

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Understanding Physical Growth vs Development

Your body is constantly changing, but there's actually two different processes happening. Growth is the simple stuff - getting taller, heavier, and physically bigger. Development is way more interesting - it's how you learn to control your body and master new skills.

Physical development follows some pretty clever patterns that work the same for everyone. You develop from top to toe (head control before walking) and from inner to outer (arm control before finger precision). This is why babies can wave their arms around ages before they can pick up tiny objects.

Everyone develops at their own pace though. Some infants zoom through milestones whilst others take their time - and both are completely normal. The important thing is that the skills eventually develop, not exactly when they happen.

Quick Tip: Remember PIES - Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social development all happen together and affect each other.

Physical

We all grow & develop in different ways as we pass.
through ure stages

development- About the way Children learn to use their
bod

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Infancy Milestones (0-24 months)

This is when the most dramatic changes happen - babies go from helpless newborns to walking, climbing toddlers in just two years! Gross motor skills (big movements) and fine motor skills (precise movements) develop alongside each other.

In the first six months, babies learn to hold their heads up and roll over. They can grip a rattle but can't really control it properly yet. By their first birthday, most babies are sitting independently and starting to walk whilst holding furniture.

The 12-24 month period is when things get exciting. Toddlers master walking, start climbing stairs, and can kick balls around. Their hand control improves dramatically - they can build towers with blocks, scribble with crayons, and feed themselves with a spoon.

Remember: These are average ages - some babies walk at 10 months, others at 15 months, and both are perfectly normal!

Physical

We all grow & develop in different ways as we pass.
through ure stages

development- About the way Children learn to use their
bod

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Childhood Development (2-8 years)

By age 8, most children have mastered the basic physical skills they'll use for life. This stage is all about refining movements and becoming more coordinated and confident with their bodies.

Early childhood sees major improvements in balance and coordination. Two-year-olds can walk upstairs properly, and by three they're jumping off low steps. Their hand skills become much more precise - they can draw recognisable shapes and turn book pages without tearing them.

The detailed chart shows exactly what to expect at each age, but the key point is that children become increasingly independent. They're building the foundation skills needed for sports, writing, and all the physical activities they'll enjoy later.

Study Smart: Focus on the general progression rather than memorising exact ages - exams often test your understanding of the patterns, not specific months.

Physical

We all grow & develop in different ways as we pass.
through ure stages

development- About the way Children learn to use their
bod

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

How Illness Affects Development

Illness doesn't just make you feel rubbish - it can seriously impact development across all four PIES areas. Understanding these connections is crucial for supporting people through health challenges.

Physical and intellectual impacts are often linked. Missing school due to illness affects learning, whilst problems with memory and concentration make decision-making harder. Tiredness and mobility issues can completely prevent physical activity.

The emotional and social consequences can be just as serious. Illness often causes worry and stress, leading to low self-esteem and loss of independence. This particularly affects older adults who may become isolated from friends and family.

Relationships can suffer when illness prevents socialising or building new connections. Sometimes the stress of managing health problems can even cause existing relationships to break down.

Exam Focus: Questions often ask about the knock-on effects of illness - remember that problems in one PIES area usually affect the others too.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

1

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Similar content

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Explore the impact of gender roles on adolescents through the PIES framework: Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social aspects. This summary delves into how societal expectations shape identity, career choices, and emotional expression during this critical life stage.

Health & Social CareHealth & Social Care
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Explore key theories of cognitive development by Piaget and Chomsky, focusing on stages of cognitive growth, schema theory, and language acquisition. This summary highlights essential concepts such as assimilation, accommodation, and the implications of these theories on understanding child development. Ideal for HSC Unit 1 students seeking a clear overview of intellectual development theories.

Health & Social CareHealth & Social Care
12

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Explore the seven key stages of child development, from prenatal to middle adulthood. This summary covers potential challenges such as emotional disorders, malnutrition, and lack of support that can impact growth. Ideal for students studying developmental psychology and related fields.

HumanitiesHumanities
9

Adolescent Development Insights

Explore the critical stages of adolescent development (ages 9-18), focusing on physical, emotional, and cognitive changes during puberty. This summary covers self-image, self-esteem, peer relationships, and the impact of social dynamics on identity formation. Ideal for understanding the complexities of adolescence and the development of formal and informal relationships.

Health & Social CareHealth & Social Care
10

Health Determinants Overview

Explore the key factors influencing health and wellbeing in this comprehensive mind map. Covering the biopsychosocial model, economic influences, lifestyle choices, and social integration, this resource highlights the determinants of health and barriers to mental health. Ideal for students studying health sciences and social factors affecting health.

Health & Social CareHealth & Social Care
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user