- Grade 12
Prerequisite: Human Development throughout the Lifespan, Grade 12
Grade: 12 (University/College Preparation)
Availability: Blyth Academy Online
The Ontario Curriculum: Social Sciences and Humanities
Course Overview
Human Development Throughout the Lifespan (HHG4M) explores how people grow, change, and develop from birth through late adulthood. Students will examine the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and moral aspects of human development through a variety of theoretical lenses. Using case studies, research, discussion, and self-reflection, students will learn how identity, personality, relationships, and values evolve over time. The course emphasizes inquiry, real-world application, and personal relevance to help students develop both academic insight and emotional intelligence. HHG4M prepares students for further study in social sciences, education, healthcare, and related fields.
UNIT ONE
Developmental Theories, Risk, and Resilience
Essential Question: How do theories of human development help us understand people and their growth across the lifespan?
In this unit, students will explore major developmental theories, including those from Freud, Erikson, Piaget, Pavlov, Skinner, Bandura, Bronfenbrenner, Maslow, and Rogers. They will examine how these perspectives help explain physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Students will also consider risk and protective factors that influence healthy growth, and begin to evaluate the importance of early support systems, resilience, and identity formation.
UNIT TWO
Physical Development and the Brain
Essential Question: How do physical and neurological changes shape development across the lifespan?
This unit focuses on how the human brain and body change from infancy to old age. Students will investigate milestones in sensory and motor development, brain plasticity, physical growth, and the impact of factors like nutrition, environment, and early stimulation. Through case studies and visual learning tools, students will discover how biological development supports learning, behavior, and emotional regulation throughout life.
UNIT THREE
Cognitive Development, Language, and Intelligence
Essential Question: How do we think, communicate, and express intelligence as we grow?
Students will explore the development of language and thinking skills, along with various ways intelligence is measured and understood. The unit includes key theorists such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Chomsky, Gardner, and Sternberg. Students will reflect on their own learning styles, language experiences, and problem-solving abilities, and will apply theory to real-life scenarios, analyzing how intelligence is shaped by both nature and nurture.
UNIT FOUR
Social-Emotional Development and Personality
Essential Question: How do our emotions, relationships, and values shape who we are and how we act?
In this final unit, students will investigate emotional regulation, personality development, social connection, and moral decision-making. Theories from Erikson, Bowlby, Kohlberg, and Gilligan will help students explore identity, attachment, values, and the ethics of care. Through self-reflection and scenario analysis, students will evaluate how social and emotional growth influence behavior and character over time.
Assessment
The Culminating Assignment will be 30% of the final grade. Please review the requirements and other details for the final assessment.
Please consult our Frequently Asked Questions Page or the Exam section within your course for more details on final exams and the exam fee. More information can also be found in our Student Handbook.
