- Key theorists include Piaget (cognitive development), Erikson (lifespan psychosocial development), Bowlby & Ainsworth (attachment), Bandura (social learning), and Bronfenbrenner (ecological systems.)

- Wellbeing strategies may include physical e.g. exercise, diet and sleep habits, psychological e.g. mindfulness and counselling, social e.g. volunteering and peer support, developmental e.g. play based activity and attachment support.

- Life stages are Pregnancy, Infancy, Early childhood, Middle Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood and Older Adulthood.

- Factors will focus on biological, sociological and psychological.

- Some seminar time will focus on Dementia, Poverty, and Mental Ill Health.

Assessment

Essay

Weighting: 100%

Assesses all module learning outcomes.

You will produce a 1500-word essay covers a specific life stage and explains key milestones, applies lifespan theory from a biological, psychological and sociological perspective, and suggests wellbeing strategies appropriate to their circumstances.

You will be able to choose a case study to base your essay upon. Case studies will be available for the following life stages:

Infancy
Early Childhood
Middle Childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
Older Adulthood

Rationale: This assignment will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the bio-psycho-social factors associated with lifespan development, apply theoretical frameworks and make suggestions for strategies that may improve wellbeing.

The module will employ a range of teaching and learning approaches appropriate to Level 4 study, designed to support your knowledge acquisition, skills development, and engagement.

Teaching will include interactive lectures to introduce key concepts and seminars to consolidate understanding through structured discussion. Small group work, case studies, and problem-based learning activities will promote collaboration and application of theory to practice-based contexts.

You will engage in directed independent study, supported by guided reading and resources available via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Digital tools will be used to facilitate learning, communication, and formative assessment activities.

Opportunities for formative feedback, including draft tasks and peer review, will support your academic development and progression. Collectively, these strategies aim to develop your subject knowledge, critical thinking, professional skills, and independent learning appropriate to undergraduate study.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of lifespan development from birth to death.

Knowledge and Understanding

2. Explain how biological, psychological, and social factors influence life stage development.

Knowledge and Understanding

3. Analyse lifespan development using theoretical frameworks from a biological, psychological and sociological perspective.

Research Skills

4. Identify strategies that enhance wellbeing to a person’s life stage and circumstances.

Application and Problem Solving

Berk, L.E. (2022) Development Through the Lifespan. 7th edn. London: Sage.

This book presents the recent, most relevant research and applications in the field of human development today.

Kudzma, E.C. (ed.) (2025) Edelman’s Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span. 11th edn. London: Elsevier.

Provides comprehensive coverage of leading health promotion concepts, from assessment to interventions to application.

Twelvetrees, A. and Todd, R. (2024) Community Development, Social Action and Social Planning: A Practical Guide. Bristol: Policy Press.

This guide links the theory and practice of community work in an insightful and relatable read for students and practitioners alike. It also features brand new sections on work in health, housing, with children, young people and those with disabilities and the changing role of IT, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phelan, A. and Lloyd, H. (eds.) (2026) Community-Centred Health and Wellbeing: Approaches and Cases. Abingdon: Routledge.

This book examines how the principles and practice of person-centred care can extend to operate at the level of community health and wellbeing.

Pepper, A., Harrison Dening, K., Wolverson, E. and Walpert, M. (2024) Dementia: An Introduction for Nursing, Health and Social Care. London: Lantern Publishing Ltd.

An accessible introductory textbook that will help to improve the quality of care provided to people with dementia. It is aimed primarily at nursing, health and social care students who are seeking to understand dementia and to become rounded practitioners.

Hughes, M., James, D. and Mizen, C-A. (eds.) (2026) Poverty in the UK: The Lived Experience. Abingdon: Routledge.

Written by those with lived experience of poverty, this book covers a wide range of experiences relating to the everyday realities of living in poverty, providing timely and relevant insights for all areas of social work practice.

Have you ever wondered how our experiences, relationships, and environments shape who we become throughout our lives?

In this module, you will explore how people grow and develop from birth to later adulthood. You will examine how biological, psychological, and social factors interact to influence physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development at different stages of life. Understanding these changes is essential for anyone planning to work in health and social care, where supporting individuals across the lifespan is central to effective practice.

You will be introduced to key theories of human development and consider how factors such as culture, inequality, family relationships, and life experiences can influence developmental pathways. The module will also explore important life transitions and milestones, helping you understand how these experiences can affect health, wellbeing, and life outcomes.

Through case studies, discussion, and collaborative learning activities, you will apply theoretical knowledge to realistic scenarios in health and social care settings. This will support you in developing the ability to consider individual needs and identify ways to promote wellbeing at different life stages.

By the end of the module, you will have developed a strong foundation in understanding human growth and development across the lifespan, providing essential knowledge for further study and future professional roles within health and social care.