Describe the characteristics of each of the four stages of growth.

Stage One: Infancy – This stage is generally considered to begin at birth and can last up to 18 months of age. During this stage, babies are learning how to explore the world around them with their senses such as sight, smell, touch and sound. They are developing gross motor skills such as crawling or walking along with fine motor skills like grasping objects.

Stage Two: Early Childhood – This stage typically starts from 1-3 years old where children learn language and communication more deeply. Cognitive development occurs rapidly during this time period and they begin to make sense of people in their environment which helps develop social skills. Children also become increasingly independent.

Stage Three: Middle Childhood – Generally occurring between 4-6 years old, children in middle childhood get a better understanding of what it means to be part of a family or group as well as developing problem solving skills. Fine motor coordination becomes more advanced during this time.

Stage Four: Adolescence/Teenage Years – The final growth stage starts at approximately 12-14 years old where teens enter puberty until adulthood (ages 18-21). At this point physical changes occur rapidly including height increases; the emergence of secondary sex characteristics such as facial hair for males; girls experience hormonal changes leading to menstrual cycles; cognitive development continues where teens start recognizing abstract thoughts and able to reason logically; peer relationships take precedence over parental relationships; ability for self regulation emerges.