Hi there and congratulations on choosing this ultimate guide to the most important, most fascinating, and most interesting course Human Growth and Development (D202) at the Western Governor University (WGU) if you are a nurse or a healthcare professional. But if you are feeling quite lost and confused about what is exactly going on – welcome here. That said, this article will provide us with a roadmap of what’s contained in this course and how best you can study in order to ensure that you ace your Objective Assessment (OA).
In the sections that follow, we’ll dive into the key areas that will set you up for success:
- What to Expect from the Module – Get a clear understanding of the topics covered and what to prepare for.
- Study Guide to Pass the OA – Follow our week-by-week plan to stay on track.
- External Resources to Help You Study – Discover some free tools and resources to boost your understanding.
- Key Topics to Focus On – Learn about the most important concepts and how they might be tested.
- Conclusion – A quick recap to keep you motivated and ready to succeed.
It will give you a direction regardless of whether you are a beginner or in the middle or at the later part of the course to help you absorb all you have to know and pass the exam. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!
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What Lies Ahead in Human Growth and Development📖
The Human Growth and Development D202 course will help you travel the life course developmental cycle from prenatal through the adult stage and into the end of life. This is a three-module subject organized in a chronological manner and, thus, lets you study all the major developmental phases that people go through at different stages of their lives. Apart from these major subjects, you will explore other areas of cultural impact, feelings, and resilience making this course to be an all-around course on human existence.
As indicated, the content of the course is divided into three main units, each dealing with a particular life period. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll be covering:
- Intro & Genetic Influences: Begin at ground level, and learn how inborn characteristics influence early development from the womb.
- Newborn to Early Childhood: Discover the motor, perceptual, neuropsychological, and psychosocial development of individuals at the beginning period of existence. This particular module is very vast, it majors on the newborn stage up to early childhood, emotions, and culture.
- Middle Childhood to Adolescence: When you come to this module, you will learn that development persists in middle childhood and adolescence with emphasis on physical development, cognitive development, and the psychosocial issues of these stages of development.
- Early to Late Adulthood: Last but not least, this module focuses on the last phase of life span development, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. What you get is a look at how we continue to develop physically, cognitively, and psychosocially, right into the later years, and also look at changes that are emotional or behavioral in nature.
This is an online course and so you can learn at your own pace in the sense that you move through the course material depending on what you think you need to know most. But painless as it is, if you have no background knowledge, it will take approximately three weeks, 30-40 hours precisely to go through all the lessons of the course. Moving through the course, you are to develop your ability to meet four major competencies, which can be checked in Objective Assessment (OA).
If you are to deduce the structure of this course, and what is expected of the learners, then, you will be in a better place to tackle the contents of this module and pass. As we have a clear understanding of what is expected of us, we should proceed to develop the most appropriate study schedule that will assist one to pass the final examination.
A Guide to Studying Human Growth and Development📝
That’s why the next step is to develop a study plan for the Human Growth and Development D202 course, using the information about the content of the course and the types of assignments you are going to face in the course development, which will prepare you for the final Objective Assessment (OA). That is why I have provided a week-by-week plan which when followed will enable you to cover all the key topics.
Week 1: Read the Textbook
- Goal: Begin by reading the textbook, focusing on understanding the foundational concepts.
- Action Steps:
- a) Use the Study Guide: As you go through the textbook, use the provided study guide to take notes. This will help you highlight key points and make it easier to review later.
- Location: Course Search > D202 Study Guide
- Location: Course Search > D202 Study Guide
- b) Use Supplementary Materials: Don’t forget to check out the supplementary materials available in the “Course Search” section. These additional resources can provide more context and reinforce your understanding of complex topics.
- Location: Course Search
- SWAY Summaries
- Un-Muddy Buddy
- Location: Course Search
- a) Use the Study Guide: As you go through the textbook, use the provided study guide to take notes. This will help you highlight key points and make it easier to review later.
Week 2: Watch the Videos and Recorded Cohorts
- Goal: Deepen your understanding of the course content through visual and auditory learning.
- Action Steps:
- Watch all the instructional videos and recorded cohort sessions available in the course. These resources are designed to complement your textbook reading and provide a different perspective on the material.
- Take notes during the videos, especially on concepts that you found challenging in the textbook. This will help solidify your understanding.
- Location: Course Search > D202 Videos
Week 3: Attempt the Supplemental Quizzes
- Goal: Test your knowledge and identify areas that need further review.
- Action Steps:
- Complete the supplemental quizzes provided in the course. These quizzes are an excellent way to check your understanding of the material you’ve covered so far.
- Review any questions you got wrong and revisit the corresponding sections in the textbook or videos. This will help you reinforce your learning and ensure you’re prepared for the final assessment.
- Location: Course Search > D202 Practice Quizzes
Week 4: Do the Pre-A (Pre-Assessment)
- Goal: Assess your readiness for the OA by taking the Pre-A.
- Action Steps:
- Complete the Pre-Assessment to simulate the experience of the final OA. This will give you a clear picture of where you stand and what areas you need to focus on before the actual exam.
- Use the results from the Pre-A to create a targeted review plan. Focus on the topics where you scored lower and ensure you thoroughly understand those concepts before moving on.
Week 5: Take the OA (Objective Assessment)
- Goal: Successfully complete the final assessment.
- Action Steps:
- Review your notes, supplementary materials, and any remaining areas of concern before taking the OA.
- Make sure you’re well-rested and ready to focus before starting the exam. Trust in the preparation you’ve done over the past few weeks and approach the OA with confidence.
If you adopt this study plan, you will be in a good position to take on the OA and show your mastery of the subject matter of the course. This is why external learning practice should be constant and regular, following the chosen pattern, though making changes according to the results achieved.
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Essential Reading for Human Growth and Development 📂
- Quizlet Flashcards
Quickly review key terms and concepts with these flashcards. They’re a great way to reinforce what you’ve learned in the course.
- Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan – WGU
- WGU D202 Human Growth and Development Flashcards
- Udemy Course
This online course covers human development comprehensively. It’s ideal if you want a more structured review of the material.
- Free Online Course
Explore human growth and development in more depth with this independent study course. It’s a valuable supplement to the WGU materials.
- Khan Academy Videos
These videos provide clear explanations of key development theories. They’re a useful resource for visual learners.
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D202 OA Success Tips for Human Growth and Development: Key Topics to Focus on👨🏻🏫
In this section, we’ll break down some of the most critical concepts in Human Growth and Development D202. Understanding these topics will be essential not just for passing the OA but also for grasping the overall subject matter. Let’s dive into each concept:
- Piaget’s Theory of Early Childhood Development
Jean Piaget’s theory is the central model that has been developed in understanding the cognitive development of children from the infancy stage to early childhood. Piaget proposed that children progress through four stages: Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational. Each stage corresponds to a specific kind of thought process and the manner of perceiving reality. For instance, during the Preoperational stage, children learn how to engage in symbolic play, and how to use symbols in gestures and they cannot comprehend logical operations. According to this theory, learning is the result of a child’s interaction with his or her surroundings and results in an enhanced and more advanced structure of cognitions.
| Stage | Age Range | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
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Sensorimotor
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0-2 years
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Learning through sensory experiences and actions
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Preoperational
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2-7 years
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Symbolic thinking, egocentrism, lack of logical reasoning
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Concrete Operational
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7-11 years
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Logical thinking, mastery of conservation, less egocentric
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Formal Operational
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12+ years
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Abstract thinking, hypothetical reasoning, problem-solving |
- Gender Development Theories
Understanding gender development involves multiple theories that explain how children learn about gender roles and identity.
Social Learning Theory suggests that children learn gender roles by emulation and by the consequences they attract. They watch other people’s gender-related behaviors and hear about what is expected from whoever is their gender.
Social Cognitive Theory is an extension of social learning that incorporates cognitive factors than the previous theory. This means that children learn their gender and what that gender means in a particular society by categorizing information about gender, based on their own experiences, drives, motives, and tendencies.
Gender Schema Theory proposes that children develop gender schemas that are mental structures used in ordering information on gender. These schemas help them develop their manageable ideas of self and others and modify their behavior to meet gender roles.
Developmental Intergroup Theory takes into account the role embraced by different historical groups in personality development, gender included. It notes that children’s gender awareness is a function of the various social and cultural groups to which the child belongs, thus validating stereotyping and biases.
| Theory | Key Concept | Example |
|---|---|---|
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Social Learning Theory
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Learning gender roles through imitation and reinforcement
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A child copies their same-gender parent’s behavior
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Social Cognitive Theory
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Organizing gender information through social experiences
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Children categorize toys as “for boys” or “for girls”
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Gender Schema Theory
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Forming cognitive frameworks about gender roles
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A child prefers activities that match their gender
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Developmental Intergroup Theory
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Group identities influence gender development
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Children may stereotype based on observed group norms |
- Parenting Styles
Parenting styles play a crucial role in a child’s development, influencing their behavior, emotional health, and social skills. There are four primary styles:
- Authoritative: This style is characterized by high responsiveness and high demands. Parents are nurturing and supportive while also setting clear boundaries and expectations. Children raised by authoritative parents tend to be self-disciplined, confident, and socially competent.
- Authoritarian: Authoritarian parents are highly demanding but not responsive. They enforce strict rules and expect obedience without question. Children may develop a strong sense of discipline but might struggle with self-esteem and social interactions.
- Permissive: Permissive parents are very responsive but not demanding. They tend to be indulgent and avoid setting firm boundaries. As a result, children might struggle with self-control and authority.
- Uninvolved: Uninvolved parents are neither responsive nor demanding. They provide little guidance or support, which can lead to a lack of self-discipline and emotional insecurity in children.
| Parenting Style | Responsivenes | Demands | Key Outcomes for Children |
|---|---|---|---|
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Authoritative
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High
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High
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Confident, self-disciplined, socially competent
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Authoritarian
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Low
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High
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Disciplined but may struggle with self-esteem
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Permissive
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High
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Low
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Struggles with self-control may have authority issues
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Uninvolved
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Low
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Low
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Lack of self-discipline, emotional insecurity |
- Types of Memory
Memory is a complex cognitive function that can be categorized into different types, each serving a specific purpose in how we store and recall information.
Explicit Memory: Also known as declarative memory, it involves the conscious recall of facts and events.
- Semantic Memory: A type of explicit memory that involves general knowledge, such as facts and concepts. For example, knowing that Paris is the capital of France is a semantic memory.
- Episodic Memory: Another form of explicit memory, involves recalling personal experiences and specific events. Remembering your last birthday celebration is an example of episodic memory.
Implicit Memory: This type of memory operates unconsciously and involves skills and conditioned responses. For instance, knowing how to ride a bike or type on a keyboard without consciously thinking about the actions involves implicit memory.
Prospective Memory: This is the ability to remember to do something in the future. It’s divided into:
- Time-Based Prospective Memory: Remembering to do something at a specific time, like taking medication at 8 PM.
- Event-Based Prospective Memory: Remembering to do something when a specific event occurs, such as remembering to give a message when you see a particular person.
| Memory Type | Subtype | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
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Explicit Memory
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Semantic
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General knowledge, facts
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Knowing the capital of a country |
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Episodic
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Personal experiences, specific events
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Remembering your last vacation |
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Implicit Memory
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Unconscious skills and conditioned responses
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Knowing how to drive a car
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Prospective Memory
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Time-Based
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Remembering tasks to do at a specific time
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Taking medication at a scheduled time |
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Event-Based
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Remembering tasks triggered by events
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Delivering a message when seeing a friend |
These key topics are central to your understanding of human growth and development and will likely be heavily tested in your OA. Be sure to review these concepts thoroughly, using the tables and explanations provided to solidify your knowledge.
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Conclusion: Understanding Human Growth and Development📄
WGU’s Human Growth and Development D202 is a detailed course that covers the developmental stage from the preconception stage to the late adulthood stage. With the knowledge of significant concepts, a distinct study plan, and efficient using the available sources, you can prepare for the Objective Assessment and pass it. Also, bear in mind – consistency is your friend, stick to regular studying, revision and, by all means, repeat concepts that are giving you a hard time. As you will see, with commitment and the correct strategy, you will not only pass the course but also learn a lot about human development that will be useful to you in future studies and work.
Success and remember that every day you make in this course puts you one day closer to accomplishing your goal of mastering this content.
