Introduction
Human beings undergo inevitable changes as they move from one developmental stage to another. The variations occur throughout a person’s life and are characterized by unique milestones in each stage of growth and development. Since individuals undergo different challenges and encounters, their experiences may vary.
Traditionally, there are seven recognized periods of development in the life of a human being. Infancy is between birth and 2 years, early childhood is between 2 and 6 years, and middle childhood is between 6 and 12 years. Adolescence is between 13 and 18 years, and 18 to 40 is early adulthood. Middle adulthood is between 40 and 65 years, while late adulthood is above 65. This essay has, however, regrouped the stages of development into three: childhood, ranging from 0-13 years; early adulthood, 13-40 years; and finally, adulthood, 40 years to death. Three films have been analyzed to determine different features of the developmental stages.
Bridge to Terabithia (Movie 1)
Bridge to Terabithia is a film adapted from a book by Katherine Patterson. Leslie and Jess, the protagonists, are fifth-grade students who know each other and become friends. In the course of their friendship, they create an imaginary world that they call Terabithia.
The theme of friendship is considered to be boundless because, despite coming from different families, the two friends created a formidable bond (Csupo, 2007). They go through different adventures, such as gathering magical weapons to fight the dark master, and through their experience, they learn to grow and find happiness. The dark master represents the fear that engulfed the students, such as bullying and isolation. The ultimate success was for them to defeat the dark master and lead a happy life (Csupo, 2007). The film depicts the childhood growth stage (0-13 years) because it depicts features such as creativity, friendship, and personal growth, which are akin to the stage.
Summary of the Developmental Period Applicable to the Movie
Childhood is the fundamental stage of growth and development that prepares the child for the future. A mistake not corrected in childhood may form a permanent habit affecting a person’s life (Reynolds & Sherrell, 2023). It is the stage where people undergo significant physical, emotional, psychological, and cognitive changes (Sanghvi, 2020).
Some of the key features of the stage, as developed by Piaget, are enormous physical growth, the ability to think logically and solve problems, and the development of language and psychosocial development. In the film, Jess and Leslie portray similar features as they think about logical solutions to fight the dark master and cultivate the theme of friendship for social support (Csupo, 2007). Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory is a critical framework that helps understand the developmental stage. According to Vygotsky, the age bracket 0-13 is marked by learning from a social group. Leslie and Jess learn from each other, and their friendships help them learn and grow.
Physical Milestone in the Developmental Stage
One of the physical milestones related to the childhood development stage for children between 0 and 13 is motor skills. At this stage, the children can understand their bodies and formulate answers to challenges affecting them (Reynolds & Sherrell, 2023). The ability to grasp and manipulate objects, such as the creation of magic weapons by the two children to conquer the dark master (Sanghvi, 2020). Mastery of motor skills is primary to the stage because it enables the children to use their hands and other body parts effectively and gain confidence (Csupo, 2007). According to Piaget’s theory, gaining physical strength helps children to get control over their bodies and hence be able to socialize, make responsible decisions, and perform their day-to-day activities without challenges.
Cognitive Milestones in Childhood Development Stage According to Piaget’s Theory
Cognitive development is marred by intellectual functioning and the ability of children to communicate and interact with their environment to resolve problems. In the film, the protagonists can understand each other’s feelings, and despite having grown up in different backgrounds, they can unite and think of their situation and determine a solution (Sanghvi, 2020). According to Piaget’s theory, cognitive development in the childhood stage is characterized by language development and preoperational thinking, which involves understanding a problem and developing a solution (Csupo, 2007). The theory of the mind is critical in explaining the cognitive milestones as the children have started understanding their natural environment and are keen on determining the outcomes (Reynolds & Sherrell, 2023). The children develop the necessary skills to cope with the environment.
Psychosocial Development in Childhood Stage According to Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory
Psychosocial development is a special stage in the life cycle marked by understanding others and formulating better relationships. Since humans do not live in isolation, the first stage of development is understanding and using a language to interact with others (Sanghvi, 2020). The friends in the film are extracted from different genders and social classes, but they travel together with one single aim: to understand the dark master and devise ways of fighting it. The film depicts the ability of students to navigate their skills and join them to fight the common enemy (Csupo, 2007). It is therefore essential to note that all theories of development understand the nature of their friends and ensure that they formulate beneficial relationships.
Mean Girls (Movie 2)
Mean Girls is a comedy film depicting teenage girls’ lives in the school setting. Caddy Heron moves into a new school where she joins a group of girls who form a gang called the Plastics and showcase their friendship by wearing outfits (Newby & Heywood, 2011). All the characters in the film are teenagers and depict all the teenage features, such as peer pressure and social hierarchy, as they strive to maintain societal norms. The film qualifies to match the needs of the second growth of life from 13 to 40 years because it possesses features parallel to the given age, such as identity crisis, peer pressure, and coping strategies to fit into society.
Summary of the Developmental Period as Depicted in the Film
Mean Girls depicts adolescents and how they react to changes, such as peer pressure. Although Cady Heron underwent homeschooling, she could fit in with the group and started wearing matching outfits. The designated stage is in tandem with two stages, as per Piaget’s theory of development, adolescence and early adulthood (Allen & Waterman, 2019).
Some of the key features of this stage of development are the formation of social identity as the adolescent girls secluded others as they catered to their struggle to maintain the status quo. The sense of autonomy that the girls developed is a result of the psychoemotional factor related to the stage (Moheghi et al., 2020). The girls constantly held parties and engaged effectively in social media, which underscored their relationship with peers and the self-identity they sought (Allen & Waterman, 2019). People of Cady’s age experience cognitive and socio-emotional changes as they strive to formulate the personal identity they wish to be associated with through beliefs.
Physical Milestone in the Adolescent Developmental Stage
The main physical growth in the adolescent is puberty and sexual maturation. An increase in height, weight, and the formation of the sexual organs characterize the stage. For females, the onset of the menstrual cycle shows that ladies are entering another phase of their life associated with numerous psychological challenges, such as being constantly self-conscious (Newby & Heywood, 2011).
The groupings of the girls to attend parties and wear fitting clothes make the observable features of their bodies change according to their weight (Allen & Waterman, 2019). The physical discomfort that appears together with menstrual cycles makes it possible for them to have mood swings, affecting the girl’s ability to remain calm in times of challenges, which is why the girls seclude themselves from others (Moheghi et al., 2020). The girl’s changes in the physical realm affect their overall behavior.
Cognitive Milestones in Adolescence Development Stage
The main cognitive milestone among adolescents includes metacognition, where a person is aware of their feelings and how they affect their relationships. According to the films, the young ladies thought highly of themselves and despised others who were not in their category (Newby & Heywood, 2011). According to the film, the main cognitive milestone is metacognition, where people understand their weaknesses and strengths and interact with people who share similar dreams and likes. However, Piaget’s theory underscores the fact that adolescents have abstract thinking and view the world in a more abstract way of viewing the world (Moheghi et al., 2020). Generally, Piaget’s theory underscores the ability to think critically and solve problems that may affect them in the course of their life.
Psychosocial Development in the Adolescent Stage According to Freud’s Psychosexual Theory
The formation of intimate relationships is one of the standard psychosocial features of adolescents. According to Freud’s psychosexual theory, adolescents and young adults focus more on sexual relationships and do all they can to make their sex life appealing to their peers. However, the film takes a different trajectory regarding the key milestones (Allen & Waterman, 2019). The life of the girls hoping from one party to solidify their social bonds (Newby & Heywood, 2011). As the term suggests, the social milestone is the ability to communicate with others and form positive relationships.
The Bucket List (Movie 3)
The Bucket List is an insightful and poignant film that glimpses the opportunities and challenges common in old age. In the film, Carter Chambers and Edward Cole meet at a healthcare facility as they battle cancer (Rob Reiner, 2007). Despite being from different backgrounds, they can bond and share some of their experience with the diseases.
The film explores friendship, old age, care, and what people should do before they die. It is imperative to note that the film differs from the others in that it focuses on formation. This developmental stage shows the last phase of life, and older people need social support, life transitions, and aging-related transitions (Allen & Waterman, 2019). The film qualifies to represent the third stage of development between the ages of 40 and the end of a person’s life.
Summary of the Developmental Period Described in the Film
The Bucket List Movie shows the late adulthood development stage, marred by a decline in health. Later in life, there is no more growth and increase in physical size or strength. On the contrary, people start suffering from different ailments, and their primary concern and need is care and attention to maintain a positive lifestyle (Rob Reigner, 2007).
The change in cognitive functionality at this stage shifts from achieving personal growth to health, wellness, and the pursuit of happiness. It is imperative to note that such a group is marred with special development in spirituality, wisdom, and the ability to regulate emotions (Oesterdiekhoff, 2021). The theory of selective optimization is akin to this group of people because, as they pursue happiness, they must focus on things that make them happy and minimize anything that jeopardizes their happiness.
Physical Milestone in the Adulthood Developmental Stage
Adulthood comes with numerous physical changes, including changes to the skin structure. There is generally a change in lifestyle and ways of life due to the need to maintain a healthier lifestyle. In the research by Oesterdiekhoff (2021), the most common feature of physical change in old age is stopping menstruation for women, commonly known as menopause, and loss of energy and joint weaknesses in all genders. While the journal materials and class readings share the features in isolation, the film shares the life story of two grown-up men with cancer (Tapper, 2019). Although they are from different backgrounds, they undergo similar changes in their bodies, making human life follow a similar trajectory regardless of the gender or social status a person belongs to.
Cognitive Milestones in Adulthood Development Stage
When people move from one developmental stage to another, numerous changes are linked with each stage. Adulthood is the last phase of human life. The film depicts the opposite feature of physical change.
While older people undergo negative changes and a decline in the body’s functionality, there is a positive change in the mental and cognitive health of people at this level. Further, the people at the stage experience increased wisdom due to the lessons they have learnt from their previous mistakes (Oesterdiekhoff, 2021). Moreover, the people at that age have suffered from mistakes and therefore have learnt never to repeat them. However, there is a difference between the theories learned in class because they underscored crystallized intelligence to overcome challenges (Rob Reigner, 2007).
Further, Piaget’s theory focuses more on emotional regulation and intelligence, whereas the elderly focus more on the issues that make them happy and avoid those that do not add to their lives (Tapper, 2019). Caretakers must, therefore, ensure that all the elderly are forced to think positively.
Psychosocial Development in the Adulthood Stage According to Erikson’s Theory
When people grow through childhood and adolescence and enter adulthood, they have complex relationships, each of which has obligations to all the issues affecting the people in society. For example, as people get older, they have to balance time for work, meetings, and their families for success (Oesterdiekhoff, 2021). Generally, the elderly stage of development underscores the reasons for positive and healthy relationships for success in the long run (Tapper, 2019). People above forty may face challenges maintaining relationships because their professional growth may differ (Rob Reigner, 2007). Consequently, they may be forced to ensure that they stay alone to navigate their lives by selecting their friends based on the specialties they have in life.
Impact on Society
Learning development stages and the lifespan among humans help people undertake different societal issues, such as parenting, education, making social policies, and ensuring that every person is offered an opportunity. The beliefs, myths, and attitudes about lifespan are demystified, and people are assisted in making better decisions. The three selected films are useful in education, parenting, and end-of-life care because they explore people’s power, such as creating and solving imaginary problems (Tapper, 2019). However, each film depicts the development stage differently from the lessons learnt in class.
Bridge to Terabithia
The key difference between the class readings and the film is that while cognition in films is determined by problem-solving, the class readings were keen on speech development. Further, the film’s argument is similar to the argument of the class research because its main psychological milestone is forming relationships, as proposed by Erikson’s psychosocial theory. However, beliefs and attitudes in childhood development remain unchanged, as both perspectives underscore the importance of learning. Teachers may utilize the lessons from the film to design learning materials to help learners exploit their full potential.
Mean Girls
Mean Girls focuses on the adolescent development stage and shares a critical instant where people may ruin their lives in the quest for happiness. The main feature in the film differs from the feature learnt in class because the physical features learnt in class only consisted of changes in height and weight, while the film emphasizes the sexual organs. Further, while the film focuses on self-identity and the ability to put on uniforms and isolate others from their teams, class examples focused on how peer pressure affected decision-making. The girls who are struggling with the self-identification and exploration stage may end up being addicted to drug abuse in a bid to satisfy their unifying ideology.
The Bucket List
The Bucket List shares essential concepts about how the family should always care for older people in their times of need. Whether support is offered at home or in a facility, the psychosocial support that the people need must always be present (Oesterdiekhoff, 2021). The difference between the features of the development stage in the film and the class reading is that the film takes the aspect of people suffering from a terminal disease, while the class focused on healthy aging. In old age, people must be provided with the necessary forms of support to experience a higher quality of life.
Conclusion
Stages of growth and development are important areas to study, where a person can understand the changes they undergo as they pass through various stages of life. Although each stage has special features, society must understand them to offer the expected support. The childhood stage is a formation stage where most habits are formulated. It is the role of the parents to help children form positive behaviour.
On the other hand, adolescence and young adulthood are marred with numerous challenges, such as peer pressure, which may affect a person’s well-being. Finally, the elderly developmental stage proves that the elderly need help to solve the problems affecting them, such as loneliness.
References
Allen, B., & Waterman, H. (2019). Stages of Adolescence. Healthy Children. Web.
Csupo, G. (2007). Bridge to Terabithia. IMDb. Web.
Moheghi, M., Ghorbanzadeh, M., & Abedi, J. (2020). The investigation and criticism of moral development ideas of Kohlberg, Piaget and Gilligan. International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding, 7(2), 362-374. Web.
Newby, J., & Heywood, L. (2011). Mean girls. Goojara. Melanie Mayron. Web.
Oesterdiekhoff, G. W. (2021). Different developmental stages and ages of humans in history: Culture and socialization, open and closed developmental windows, and advanced and arrested development. The American Journal of Psychology, 134(2), 217-236. Web.
Reynolds, A., & Sherrell, Z. (2023). What are Piaget’s stages of development, and what are examples of each? Medical News Today. Web.
Rob Reigner. (2007). The bucket list. Goojara. Web.
Sanghvi, P. (2020). Piaget’s theory of cognitive development: A review. Indian Journal of Mental Health, 7(2), 90–96. Web.
Tapper, J. (2019). How the elderly can help the young – and help themselves. The Guardian. Web.