Biological

Development
Unit 2
Prepared by:
Lourden, Ralph
Semacio, Remark
Alibanggo, Piolo
 Contents:
A. Biological beginnings D. Factors affecting physical/
to report by (Remark Semacio) biological development
to report by (Ralph, Lourden )
B. Physical and motor
development. E. Theories
to report by (Remark,Semacio) to report by (Piolo, Alibanggo)

C. Neuroscience and brain F. Current research and

development Pedagogical Applications
to report by ( Ralph,Laourden) to report by (Piolo, Alibanggo)
 Learning
Objectives
At the end of the lesson students should be able to:
 Discuss the concept and theories related to the
biological/physical development of children and
adolescents, and
 Make connections, using knowledge on current research
literature, between biological development theories and
developmentally appropriate teaching approaches suited
to learners’ gender, needs, strengths, interest and
experiences.
iological beginnings

What is it?
refers to the series of changes and
processes by which human’s grow and
develop over time.
Prenatal
Development
Prenatal development is defined as the
process of growth and development within
the womb from fertilization until birth.
There are three phases of prenatal
development: the development of the
zygote, development of the embryo, and
development of the fetus.
 1.
Zygote
A zygote is a one-
celled being. It
divided over and over
until it becomes a
ball of cells that
attaches itself to the
uterus wall.
●Embryo and
placenta.
 2.
AnEmbryo
embryo is between
the period from 2 to 8
weeks.
3.
Fetus
The fetus is then from 9
weeks until birth.
 Birth of a
baby
This is the stage of pregnancy where the mother and the
family become the most anxious. Preparing birth is highly
recommended and important.

● Parents-to be should take classes to learn the most

recent way of doing infant CPR, feeding, bathing,
changing and other things that they will be doing
every days with their baby.
● Preparing the suitcase for the hospital about 1 or 2
months in advance is necessary since babies
sometimes come sooner than expected.
● Learning breathing and relaxation techniques
to use through the birthing process come in
handy.

● The health and medical needs a baby needs

all depends on the birth weight and size, and
any genetic vulnerabilities.

● Family educators can support infants directly

by teaching the caregivers how to watch and
care for the baby’s needs.
B. Physical and
motor
Development
 Infancy Age 1-2 years
Growth begins with the
development of reflexes and
continues with the infants having
more strength and control of their
heads, arms and legs. Before their
first year. Infants are just
beginning to grab, grasp and
crawl.
After their first year, they now use
their arms to grab and hold
heavier objects, begin walk and
eventually run.
 Early Childhood AGE 2-6

Growth continues in both

fine and gross motor skills
during Early Childhood
years.
1. Fine Motor Skills – skills develop in a
predictable sequence, starting with simple
movements and progressing to more complex
ones.

2. Gross motor skills – These involve large

muscle movements, such as crawling, walking,
and running.
 Middle Childhood 6 – 10 Years

By Middle Childhood, fine

and gross motor skills are
now more controlled and
refined. Organized sports
are played (especially
basketball) as well as more
advanced arts and crafts
fine motor activities de
headwork projects, building
model airplanes/cars)
 Early adolescent 10-14 years

Children become “little

adults” with the onset of
puberty .
They go through qualitative
changes like having a
growth spurt (height and
weight increase in short
amount of time).
 Late Adolescent 14-18 Years
Young adults reach sexual
maturity and intimate
activities (hugging, kissing
etc. Some teenagers could
be involved in risky behavior
due to lack of brain
maturation in areas of self-
control, impulse and
improper assessment of
consequence
 Ways to help promote healthy
physical development for children

Encourage Physical activity

Prevent obesity (being overweight)
●Observe children for possible
eating disorder
Neuroscience and Brain
development
Neuroscience and Brain
development
Neuroscience and early childhood
development.
Neuroscience is the study of how the human
nervous system develops and functions. The
subcategories of computational, cognitive,
cultural, linguistic and developmental
neuroscience focus on different pathways in
learning.
 Neuroscience and Brain
development
• From the birth period, the child’s brain is developed in a fast
and effective way. This period marks the beginning of the neuro-
psychomotor development, the learning of movements of the
head, arms, hands, legs and feet.

• At two, the children gain the ability to freely and legs and
have grown in physical move arms strength. They are able
socialize with other children and differentiate a variety of
objects, such us indicating toys and materials of their own
preference.
 Neuroscience and Brain
development
• Three-year-old children develop fine motor skills,
which are the ability to and control the small muscles of
the body, such as holding a pencil to draw, handling
stories books, cutting or tearing a paper and wearing or
buttoning a shirt. At this stage, parents can stimulate the
autonomy and self-care by encouraging the child to
organize his her personal belongings and by developing
hygiene habits with his or her own body.
 Neuroscience and Brain
development
• When children are between four and six years
old, they demonstrate interest in plays of make believe
and recreational activities with peers. At this stage,
children learn to make decisions and t make choices,
such as understanding what foods are best for their
health, the importance of respecting and obeying rules
and how to develop self-control and manage their own
emotions.
 Brain Development

Synaptogenesis The formation of new connections

between neurons, or synapses, is a crucial aspect of brain
development. Synaptogenesis is particularly rapid during
early childhood, and it underlies the development of
cognitive abilities.

Plasticity The brain’s ability to change and adapt in

response to experience is known as plasticity. Plasticity is
greatest during early childhood, but it persists
throughout life.
 Brain Development
Myelination The process of myelination, in
which nerve fibers are coated with a fatty
substance called myelin, increases the speed
and efficiency of neural transmission.
Myelination continues throughout childhood
and adolescence.

Brain Regions Different regions of the brain

specialize in different functions. For example,
the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for
executive functions such as planning and
decision-making, develops slowly over
 7Factors affecting
biological/physical development
1. Genetics: Genetics/Hereditary, also known as
inheritance or biological inheritance is the
transmission of physical characteristics from you to your
children through your genes (the basic
physical and functional unit of inheritance).

2. Sex (gender): The sex of your child is another major

factor affecting the physical growth and
development of your child. Boys tend to be taller and
3. Hormones: The endocrine system is
composed of many glands which include the
hypothalamus,
pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus,
adrenal, and pancreas.

4. Environment: Environmental factors refer to

the external conditions (sum total of physical
and
5.Nutrition: Child’s body needs the right
amounts of nutrition to build and repair
itself.Malnutrition (lack of sufficient nutrients in
the body) can cause deficiency diseases that
can adversely affect the growth and
development of your child.

6. Exercises: Exercises or physical activities

are very important for the growth and
development of
7.Socio-economic Factors: The socio-
economic status of your family determines the
quality of
opportunities that your child gets.
THEORIES
Developmental Milestone
(Gesell)
Gesell’s theory suggests that
development progresses
through a series of stages,
with each stage marked by
specific milestones. These
milestones are influenced by a
complex interplay of genetic
and environmental factors.
Ecological systems theory
(Bronfenbrenner)
Bronfenbrenner’s theory
emphasizes the
importance of the
environment in shaping
development. The
environment includes all
of the systems that
surround the individual,
from the microsystem
(family, peers, school) to
the macrosystem (culture,
The Microsystem – is the first level of
Bronfenbrenner’s theory, and is the things that
have direct contact with the child in their
immediate environment, such as parents,
siblings, teachers, and school peers.
The Mesosystem – encompasses the
interaction between the child’s microsystems,
such a the interactions between the child’s
parents and teachers, or between school peers
and siblings.
The Chrono system – this system consists of
all the environmental changes that occur over
the lifetime which influence development,
including major life transitions, and historical
events.
 Current Research and
Pendagogical applications
Neuroplasticity research on neuroplasticity has
led to new pedagogical approaches that
emphasize the importance of stimulating the
brain through enriching experiences.

Early Intervention programs are designed to

address developmental delays and support
children’s growth. These programs often involve
a combination of therapy, education, and family
support.
 Current Research and
Pendagogical applications
Personalized Learning approaches take into
account individual differences in learning styles
and development. These approaches allow
students to learn at their own pace and in ways
that are most effective for them.
THANK YOU
For
Listening!!
!