Describe the characteristics of each of the four stages of growth.

Stage One: Infancy – This stage is generally considered to begin at birth and can last up to 18 months of age. This stage is when babies learn to use their senses, such as touch, sight and smell, to discover the world around them. These babies are learning gross motor skills, such as walking or crawling. They also learn fine motor skills, like grasping and manipulating objects.

Stage Two: Early Childhood – This stage typically starts from 1-3 years old where children learn language and communication more deeply. This is a time when cognitive development takes place quickly. Children begin to understand people and their surroundings, which aids in developing social skills. The independence of children also increases.

Stage Three: Middle Childhood – Generally occurring between 4-6 years old, children in middle childhood get a better understanding of what it means to be part of a family or group as well as developing problem solving skills. This is when fine motor coordination gets more advanced.

Stage Four: Adolescence/Teenage Years – The final growth stage starts at approximately 12-14 years old where teens enter puberty until adulthood (ages 18-21). This is when physical changes take place quickly, including an increase in height and secondary sex characteristics (facial hair for boys); girls begin experiencing hormonal changes that lead to their periods; cognitive development continues with teens recognizing abstract thoughts as well as being able to reason rationally. Teens also start to develop self-regulation skills.