Development Stages of Learner

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Chapter 5

Developmental
Stages of the
Learner

Susan B. Bastable
Michelle A. Dart

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS
Developmental Characteristics
The Developmental Stages of Childhood
Infancy (First 12 Months of Life) and
Toddlerhood (1–2 Years of Age)
Early Childhood (3–5 Years of Age)
Middle and Late Childhood (6–11 Years of Age)
Adolescence (12–19 Years of Age)

The Developmental Stages of Adulthood
Young Adulthood (20–40 Years of Age)
Middle-Aged Adulthood (41–64 Years of Age)
Older Adulthood (65 Years of Age and
Older)
The Role of the Family in Patient Education
State of the Evidence

KEY TERMS
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pedagogy object permanence causality animistic thinking syllogistical reasoning conservation imaginary audience

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personal fable andragogy dialectical thinking ageism gerogogy crystallized intelligence fluid intelligence

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Chapter 5: Developmental Stages of the Learner

OBJECTIVES
After completing this chapter, the reader will be able to
1. Identify the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial characteristics of learners that influence learning at various stages of growth and development.
2. Recognize the role of the nurse as educator in assessing stage-specific learner needs according to maturational levels.
3. Determine the role of the family in patient education.
4. Discuss appropriate teaching strategies effective for learners at different developmental stages. When planning, designing, and implementing an educational program, the nurse as educator must carefully consider the characteristics of learners with respect to their developmental stage in life. The more heterogeneous the target audience, the more complex the development of
an

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