CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR S.C. TEACHER CADET COURSE | EXPERIENCING EDUCATION, TENTH EDITION
Physical Development -- Background Information
Theme I: Experiencing Learning
Unit 3: Growth and Development
*Mandatory lesson
Objective: Students will be able to identify physical developmental characteristics and stages
from birth through age eighteen.
Essential Question: What are some benchmarks of physical growth?
Activities:
Option 1:
1. Assign each group of 3 or 4 students a type of development-physical, cognitive, moral,
psychosocial, or language. That group will teach the important information regarding this
development after researching the topic. Students can use some of the suggested
activities listed below in option 3 or come up with their own lesson.
Option 2:
1. Introduce the different teaching methodologies as you present each of the different
developmental theories. For example, use a lecture to teach physical development, use
cooperative learning to teach cognitive development, use technology to teach moral
development, etc.
Option 3:
1. Distribute the handout titled “Physical Development,” and provide a mini-lecture on the
content.
2. Distribute the handout, “My Physical Growth.” Tell students that they are to locate one or
more of their baby pictures and interview an adult who can help them complete the
worksheet titled “My Physical Growth” about themselves. A day or two later, the students
will get in small groups of three or four to show their pictures and share the information
about their personal growth.
3. An alternative to the activity titled “My Physical Growth” is the “Picture Cube” activity. Give
each student a copy of the pattern for the cube or use a tissue box. Enlarge the pattern
and have them cut it from poster board. They will attach pictures of themselves to the six
sides from early childhood to adolescence. At the designated date, they will present their
picture cubes to the class and explain the physical stage of development portrayed in
various pictures. The picture cubes may be placed on display in the classroom.
Materials:
• Teacher Resource: Major Physical Changes from Birth to Age 5
www.sciencenetlinks.com/pdfs/growth1_actsheet.pdf
• Teacher resource: Growth Changes During Puberty
www.sciencenetlinks.com/pdfs/growht2_actsheet.pdf
• Handout: “Physical Development” or use a PowerPoint presentation
• Handout: “My Physical Growth”
• Handout: “Picture Cubes” (or you can use a Kleenex box)
• Baby/early childhood pictures (provided by the students)
Assessment:
Instructors may choose one or more of the following assessments.
1. Students may demonstrate their knowledge of physical development in their lifelines
(culminating activity).
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