NAME: FREDRICK NDUTO MALII

REG NO: E033-01-1102/2019

COURSE: BED CIVIL ENGINEERING
UNIT: HUMAN GROWTH $ DEVELOPMENT
LECTURER: DR. ADERO

Q1. With reference to the old people in your community identify their problems, challenges and coping strategies
(10mks)
Some of the problems, challenges and the ways of coping in my community that is KAMBA community experienced by
old people are;
a) Health issues - Aging often brings health related issues like chronic diseases, mobility limitations and cognitive
decline. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition and staying socially active can help maintain physical and mental
well-being.
b) Social Isolation - Many seniors experience loneliness due to reduced social interactions. Engaging in
community activities, joining clubs, and connecting with family and friends can combat isolation.
c) Financial Strain - Fixed incomes, rising healthcare costs, and inflation can lead to financial stress. Budgeting,
seeking financial advice, and accessing government programs can alleviate financial burdens.
d) Loss and Grief - Older adults often face loss—of loved ones, independence, or physical abilities. Support
groups, counselling, and maintaining meaningful connections help navigate grief.
e) Ageism and Stereotypes - Negative stereotypes about aging can impact self-esteem and opportunities.
Advocacy, education, and promoting positive narratives combat age-related biases.
 f) Housing and Accessibility - Finding suitable housing and adapting to changing mobility needs. Home
modifications, accessible transportation, and community resources enhance quality of life.
g) Technology Gap - Some seniors struggle with technology adoption, limiting access to information and
communication. Technology training, user-friendly devices, and patient support bridge the gap.
h) Elder Abuse - Vulnerability to financial exploitation, neglect, or mistreatment. Awareness, reporting abuse, and
legal protections safeguard older adults.

Q2. According to your experiences discuss the developmental tasks, likely challenges and coping strategies at each
stage of growth (10mks)
1. Infancy and Early Childhood (0-5years)
Development tasks
a) learning to walk
b) taking solid foods
c) talking
d) controlling elimination of body wastes
e) understanding sex difference and sexual modesty
f) Acquiring concepts and language to describe and physical reality
Challenges Coping strategy
-physical development milestones. - Encourage exploration and motor skills.
-Language acquisition - Encourage exploration and motor skills.
-Toilet training - Foster language development through interaction
2. Middle Childhood (6-12 years):
 Development tasks
-learning physical skills for games
-Developing self-concept.
-building social relationship.
-Acquiring fundamental academic skills
-Developing a sense of morality and values.

Challenges Coping Strategies

*Peer interactions - Foster open communication
*Academic demands - Encourage responsible decision-making
*Identity formation - Provide guidance on relationships and self-care

3. Early Adulthood
Developmental Tasks Challenges
a) Selecting a life partner a) Balancing work and personal life
b) Establishing social roles. b) Financial independence
c) Navigating marriage and family life Coping strategy
d) Career development * Communication and compromise in relationships
e) Civil development *Financial planning and goal setting
4. Middle Age
Developmental Tasks Challenges Coping strategy
i) Civil responsibility. >Empty nest syndrome a) Community involvement
 ii) Economic stability >Health problems b) Health maintenance
iii) Parenting teenagers. c) Support networks
iv) Adjusting to age.
5. Later Maturity
Developmental Tasks Challenges Coping strategy
a) Adjusting to physical decline a) Loneliness -stay socially engaged
b) Retirement and reduced income b) Health limitations -adapt living arrangements
c) Coping with loss (e.g., spouse). –seek emotional support
d) Social connections

Q3. How did your developmental tasks impact on your academic achievement? (10 marks)
a) Time Management and Responsibility: Successfully managing developmental tasks often involves learning
effective time management and taking responsibility for one's actions. These skills are essential for balancing
schoolwork with other activities and meeting academic deadlines.
b) Motivation and Goal Setting: Achieving developmental milestones can boost self-efficacy and intrinsic
motivation. This positive self-belief can lead to setting higher academic goals and persisting in the face of
challenges.
c) Social and Emotional Skills: Effective communication, teamwork, and emotional regulation developed
through social interactions positively influence classroom dynamics and learning outcomes.
d) Cognitive Development: Each developmental stage contributes to cognitive growth. For instance, the
development of abstract thinking in adolescence enables more advanced problem-solving and analytical skills
necessary for higher-level academic work.
 e) Stress Management: Navigating developmental tasks often requires learning to cope with stress and
adversity. These coping mechanisms are crucial for managing the pressures of academic life.
f) Early Reading and Writing: Mastery of literacy skills in early childhood provided a strong academic
foundation, allowing me to excel in reading comprehension and written assignments.
g) Identity and Career Goals: During adolescence, clarifying my interests and career aspirations gave me a
clear academic focus, driving my choice of subjects and motivating me to achieve high grades to pursue my
desired career path.
h) Achieving Independence: Learning to manage time, make decisions, and set personal goals are critical skills
for academic success in high school and beyond.

Q4. Describe the cognitive, moral and emotional challenges you’ve experienced up to the current age and what
can be done to enhance positive growth and development at this stage. (10 marks)

Cognitive Challenges

1. Developing Advanced Reasoning Skills:

a) Adolescence (12-18 years): This period involves transitioning from concrete operational thinking to formal
operational thinking (Piaget). Adolescents start to think more abstractly and hypothetically, which can be
challenging as they learn to navigate complex problem-solving and logical reasoning.
b) Young Adulthood (18-24 years): Further cognitive development includes the refinement of critical thinking,
decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Young adults also develop the ability to integrate different
viewpoints and tolerate ambiguity.
2. Identity and Career Exploration: Adolescents and young adults often grapple with questions about their personal
identity and future career paths. This exploration requires significant cognitive effort as they consider various
possibilities and make important life decisions.

Moral Challenges

1. Moral Reasoning Development:

a) Adolescence: According to Kohlberg’s stages of moral development, many adolescents move from
conventional morality, where they conform to social rules and expectations, to post-conventional morality,
where they develop their own moral principles.
b) Young Adulthood: Young adults further refine their moral beliefs, often facing real-world ethical dilemmas
that challenge them to apply their principles in complex situations.
2. Ethical Decision Making: Adolescents and young adults often encounter scenarios that test their ethical boundaries,
such as academic integrity issues, peer pressure, and professional ethics.

Emotional Challenges

1. Emotional Regulation: Adolescents experience heightened emotional sensitivity and may struggle with regulating
intense emotions. This is partly due to ongoing brain development, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and limbic
system. Young adults face new stressors such as increased responsibilities, financial pressures, and relationship
challenges, which can impact emotional stability.
2. Self-Esteem and Self-Identity: Adolescents frequently struggle with self-esteem issues and identity formation,
influenced by peer relationships and societal expectations. Young adults continue to refine their self-concept, balancing
personal aspirations with external expectations, which can lead to emotional turmoil.