SECTION 2

Physical Development of Children and Adolescents

As understood in the earlier discussion, development in several areas a interconnected and

dependent with one another. Physical development , however, is crucial among other
development in terms of the contributions of the biological processes that can permit other
development such as cognitive, social, and moral domains. This section discusses three areas by
which physical development can be understood. Chapter 4 Focuses on the influence of genetic
outcomes in the prenatal devclopment. Although those changes that take place in the prenatal
stage will be immediately seen upon birth, subsequent physical development are determined by
those changes. This is followed by the presentation of changes in the physical characterisics of
people from childhood until adolescent stage in Chapter 5. It highlight developmental milestones
pertaining to physical changes such as muscular and biological processes Lastly, Chapter 6 tackles
the different factors that contribute in the physical development mor especially those that are
accounted to environmental factors like parental attitude, knowledge and practices. Ultimately,
these are presented in line with the possible implication to better understand learners, find
proper attributions in their behaviors, and use possible course actions that can improve the
learning and teaching of students and teachers, respectively.

CHAPTER 4

PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT

the beginning of development happens upon conception that is the union

of the egg and the sperm cell, subsequent changes brought about by the
developmental changes can be traced in this crucial period of life. A

s previously presented in the earlier chapter, the development covers cognitive,

social, and physical domains. The rate of progress depends highly on the
configuration of one’s genetic make up on these domains.

Central in the understanding of prenatal development are changes brought about by the
biological aspect. Genetic structures, hormonal activities, and physical readiness to pregnancy are
directly affecting the development of the child both in the period of pregnancy and after birth.
These are critical factors as they can result to physical deformities, developmental delays, severe
medical illness or condition, and even death when little attention are provided
The prenatal stage is considered to be one of the shortest period of development, beginning from
the conception until birth, but can also be the most crucial of all the stages. Since the child's
survival depends highly on the mother's supportive behavior and attitude toward pregnancy, the
child's stable development depends on capacity of the external environment to provide one's
needs.

This chapter highlights the discussion on the various physical changes that take place during the
prenatal stage, beginning from conception until birth. This will also present factors that directly
and indirectly affect the development as well as the consequences when those factors have not
beens sufficiently addressed.

 ENGAGE

THE BEGINNING OF LIFE

depending on the menstrual cycle of a woman, a matured egg cell is released once a month
by one of the ovaries that eventually enters in the fallopian tube. This process is

called ovulation. This is the signal of the readiness of a woman of becoming pregnant when a
sperm cell has penetrated the ovulated egg cell. The union of egg and sperm cells is called
fertilization and the new cell becomes the zygote. One of the major activities in this period, aside
from travelling to the uterus wall, the zygote form a blastocyst. Primarily, its purpose is to
become the protective membrane to the developing cell.

The prenatal stage typically covers 40 weeks or 280 days including the additional two weeks to
account for the last menstrual period and ovulation. Hence, the average human gestation is from

37 - 41 weeks. Infants that are born earlier than 37 weeks are considered pre-term while those
that are born 42 weeks or more are called post-term. Both cases are threats to child's survival,
although recent developments in the use of technology in medical science has drastically
increase the rate of survival.

The zygote is a combination of the 23 chromosomes from each parent. These chromosomes
contain genes that specifically carry characteristics of an individual. The process of natural
selection determines the inherited characteristic of the child such as physical attributes (color of
the hair, eyes, height, complexion, muscular build), cognitive functioning (intelligence),
personality characteristics(dispositional tendencies)and health conditions (heritable illness and
disease)these characteristics are particularly carried by genes.these set of genetic characteristics
composing the zygote called genotype in the natural selection process not all genetic
characteristics become observable instead some of those characteristics may either
come out later in the adulthood development (called maturation) or are not meant
to come out at all hence those characteristics that become observable are called
phenotype the phenotype characteristics are actually a result of an interaction of
individuals genotype and one’s environment those characteristics that are not
phenotypic remains dormant characteristics until such generation that it will come
out.

An example of these chromosomes are those that determine the sex of the zygote
the egg chromosomes always have An XX combination which basically comes from
the mother the sperm however can be either X or Y (XY combination)that comes
from the father when the X it is expected that the sex of the child is male. Following the
same cycle, men do not lose the X chromosome which makes him, later on,capable of having the
female child. This is same principle that happens in the other heritable characteristics like
diabetes. it is possible that are could be generational gaps in the occurrence of diabetes as it may
not become phenotypic characteris or that there is a weak push for the environment for it to
become observed. if this is inherited (genotype) it can still be passed on to other generations
later on.

Stages of Prenatal Development

The development that occurs all throughout the prenatal are divided into three substages
development. These are the germinal stage (fertilization to 2 weeks), embryonic stage (2 week

- 8 weeks), and fetal stage (8 weeks - birth). These stages have distinct activities most especially
the physical development of the organism.

A. Germinal

In approximately 3 - 4 days, the zygote travels along the fallopian tube and eventually implant
itself to the uterus wall. The mitosis (cell division) permits the development of blastocyst. Aside
from the protective function it serves at this stage, it is also the source in the development of the
amniotic sac, placenta, and umbilical cord.

B. Embryonic

The significant development in this stage is the formation of major organs that form the
biological systems, such as respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems.Before the end of the
week limbs can be identified already that would appear like an underdeveloped fetus.this rapid
developmentof organ is also accompanied by more risk of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage
most especially during the first trimester (first 3 month)in the whole period of pregnancy the is
considered as the most crucial. It develops in an intrauterine cavity through the amniotic sac
composing of the amniotic fluid. This results to the development of the umbilical cord and the
placenta which supply the nutrients and other hormones that are necessary during pregnancy.

C. Fetal

Considered the longest and final stage of pregnancy lasting until giving birth. Aside from having
all organs to be highly developing, senses are becoming more functional such as fetus being able
to respond to the heartbeat and voice of the mother while sense of olfaction develops at 14th
week. Locomotion can be felt also by the mother most especially when the fetus is stimulated.
Fetus also manifests certain degree of memories especially on the voice of the mother.

Factors Affecting Prenatal Development

A. Threats to Prenatal -Considering the delicate condition during pregnancy, there could
be some threats to a successful pregnancy.

1. Miscarriage. This happens when the baby is lost before the 20" week of gestation. Beyond
this, it is already considered as stillbirth. There are several reasons why pregnant women will
experience miscarriage. But the most common reason for such is the chromosomal
abnormalities. Aside from this factor, the other factors are discussed in succeeding part of this
chapter.

2. Ectopic Pregnancy. While it is expected that the zygote will implant itself in the uterus, there
could be instances where it is implanted along the fallopian tube or elsewhere outside the
uterus. Since it is not designed to grow a zygote, it is rather detrimental to have a successful
pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association has identified four possible medical reasons for
an ectopic pregnancy. These are infection or inflammation of the fallopian tube, scar tissue from
the previous infection or surgery, previous surgery in the pelvic area, and abnormality in the
tube's shape. Without prior medical examination, this can happen without noticing it.

3. Complication Associated to Pregnancy. Upon gestation, hormonal and biological changes

are expected rapidly. This may cause medical-related complication that can cause loss of
pregnancy. Some of them are gestation diabetes (sudden imbalance of sugar level), preeclampcia
(high blood pressure), and infections. When are not treated medically, these can cause fatality.
4. Bleeding or Spotting. This is a blood discharge while on gestation most especially during the
first trimester. The danger of bleeding depends on the frequency as well as the amount of
bleeding. One of the primary reasons on the occurrence of bleeding is the implantation process.
When the amount of bleeding is extraordinarily plenty, this is something that should be reported
immediately to the medical doctor as it may signal irregularities to the development of the baby.

B. factor afftecting pregnancy

There are number of factors that affect comfortable or complicated pregnancy as wiill on the
development of the baby. Below are the factors that can contribute to the casino difficulty of the
pregnancy and child's development.

1. Maternal Contexts. The characteristics and the readiness of the mother's biological system a
greatly affect the quality of development that will take place. Since the zygote will nutrients from
the mother's body, it is important that the mother is ready to provide the zygote needs to
achieve stable devlopment. As such, underweight mothers usually ho dangerously smaller babies
compared to those with average weight. It is important for s mother to make the necessary
adjustments in food intake in order to address the feein demands of the baby. This adiustment
requires special attention since going overweight m result to other complications. Aside from
nutritional concern, it is necessary that the moth is able to provide the needed vitamins and
nutrients, such as folic acid, that will facili better devclopment. In addition to this factor is the age
of the mother during pregnan Although full sexual maturity is achieved during adolescence,
women's body is still considere premature in terms of pregnancy. The amount of physical
activities the mother may engag in can also affect the pregnancy. Many birth defects are actually
associated to this maternal

2. Medical-related Concern. The kinds of medication the mother has taken before and during
pregnancy can possibly cause deformities, delayed development, and fatality. Among these
medications are those described to be antidepressants which may cause an interruption to the
neurobiological activity and respiratory failure. Possible miscarriage could be the effect when
drugs that are primarily being used to treat cancer and complication of leprosy are taken.

3. Environmental Factors. The amount of social support provided by the immediate

environment can affect the quality of pregnancy experienced by the mother. This environmental
support that strongly stimulates the release of hormones responsible for positive emotion.

4. Other Factors. Equally important is the quality of sperm that comes from the father. The
genetic make-up that is shared by the father may result to deteriorated physical and cognitive
functioning of the child. Color blindness, for instance, is inherited exclusively from the genetic
make-up of father and is common among male. This condition is associated with the Y
chromosome.

LALA SITTIE AISA B

"PEC 1/child & adolescent learners & Learning principle"

INFLUENCES ON PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND PEDAGOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

The pace of physical development can be attributed to many factors. The genetic
readiness & its process of unfolding, referred to maturation, & provision in the environment are
essentially determinant of physical development. Due to one's inherited characteristics, whether
physical or not, are expected to become evident at a specific period of time. Other may manifest
these developments early on, while some will have them later in the development stages. For
example, some girls in the adolescence stage may experience first menstrual period, the merche,
earlier while some will have menstrual later.

"The external factors that contribute into the physical development"

1. Parental contribution

Since parents are the immediate environment of the development child, their impact is
considered unmeasurable, most especially during the early stage of life.

It is important to point out that parental attitude, knowledge, & appreciation play central
role in maximizing the physical development. Focusing on the care giving behaviors awareness &
familiarity about how they can engage on this behavior depend on the degree of their
preparation to taking the role as parents, most especially for first time parents.

2 .Psychosocial opportunities

Although physical development is seen as significantly rooted from biological & genetic
process & whatever changes appear are attributed as product of these processes, However, social
interaction, whatever of the same age or not, can actually provides assistance in increasing
opportunities for physical development. Among these opportunities are the amount of play
engagement children are provided. Aside from the social benefits of plays it is also a venue that
allows to exercise muscles & can have direct impact in the weight of children.

3. Physical Environment

Physical Environment refers to the non-social aspects of the one's environment, such as
by not limited to the place where one lives & the accompanying materials within it. Space for
instance, is significantly important for one to have more opportunities for movements. Children
who lives with limited space may not warrant activities that require grass motor. Considered that
changes in the living space people where spaces both outside & inside the house is not very
generous, physical activities become optional that a constant available opportunity. Another
concern is the availability of digital gadgets like tablets lessen physical engagement.

4. Nutritional knowledge & practices

Knowledge & practices about the nutritional components of what one is eating can here
short & long term effect. The degree by which health is given an attentions should be the same as
to the degree that nutritional aspects should be given attention. Considering the era of
commercialism, foods has not only been filled with preservatives as well as regarded as a lifestyle
however, some may have a belief that this healthy kind of lifestyle is rather expensive.

The susceptibility to acquire or unfold genetically inherited disease or illness also depend
on the quality of foods being taken. The huge amount of available sugar-filled food, not
necessarily desserts, in the market has significantly increasing the number of diabetes cases. The
issue on providing wide variety of food in the market as well as scarcity of resources put many
manufacturers on the use of unnatural materials & ingredients in order to address these issues.

Reporter: Abdul, Aquisa T.