III
Introduction
Lifespan Development is a book about people—how people grow, change,
and mature throughout the life stages from birth to old age. Young children
learn to walk, talk, spell, jump, and tell jokes. Teens learn to become more
independent. Adults take on more responsibilities for themselves and others. In
this book, you will learn about the things that people have in common in their
physical growth, cognitive or intellectual development, and in their social and
emotional maturation. You will also learn how people differ individually, due to
a combination of genetic heredity and personal experiences and environment.
Families often go through similar developmental stages. In the family
life cycle, couples get married and have children. They care for, nurture,
and discipline their children to help them become responsible members of
society. Families exist in an ever-changing environment. Coping with divorce,
remarriage, job stress, and special needs such as physical disabilities, learning
disorders, and socio-emotional disorders are the daily realities of many families.
In this book, you will learn strategies that provide for individual and family
needs and promote lifetime human development.
As the stages of human growth and development are explored, you will
learn about the developmental theories of Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, and
Kohlberg. These theories will help you understand how and why people
develop and learn throughout each stage of the lifespan. Because careers in
education and training and human services often require more extensive
knowledge of lifespan development, this book also provides an overview of
these career areas.
The more you understand lifespan development, the better you will
understand the capabilities, motivations, and expectations of those around you.
This includes your family members, fellow students, coworkers, and those you
care for or work with in professional settings. Even better, it will give you a
better understanding for your own life’s journey.
About the Author
Sharleen L. Kato, EdD, loves teaching as well as learning. She is a Professor
at Seattle Pacific University where she encourages students to become creative
and successful by understanding and caring for the people in their lives.
She believes that understanding lifespan development is the first step to
appreciating the differences and similarities between individuals, and this
in turn leads to stronger work teams, families, and communities. Dr. Kato
has taught undergraduate students for over 25 years. She currently serves
as the Family and Consumer Sciences Department Director. Dr. Kato holds a
Doctorate in Education, a Master’s in Human Ecology, and an undergraduate
degree in Home Economics. She travels extensively spending at least two
weeks each year serving in an orphanage, teen home, and prenatal clinic in the
Philippines.