Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Changes in childhood

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe changes in humans as they develop through childhood.

      Key learning points

      1. By the time children reach 12 months of age, they are toddlers as they begin to walk.
      2. Once a human reaches the age of three years old, they are classed as a child.
      3. Children reach a variety of important milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move.
      4. The stages of human development through childhood can be recorded using a timeline.

      Keywords

      • Human - People are a type of animal called humans.

      • Toddler - A toddler is a young human aged 1-3 years old, who is learning to walk.

      • Develop - To develop is to grow or change gradually.

      • Child - After the baby stage, a young human becomes a child.

      • Childhood - Childhood is the time that a human spends as a child.

      Common misconception

      Pupils may think that they grow on their birthday, rather than growth being gradual and continuous.

      Using the lesson resources to support, explain to children that during childhood they are slowly and continuously changing and growing.

      Teacher tip

      If possible, seek out photos of pupils in earlier years at school, or examples of work they did, to share during the lesson so they can see how they themselves have changed and their skills have developed during childhood.

      Equipment

      None required.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Young mammals grow and develop in which organ inside their mother's?

      Stomach
      Correct answer: Womb
      Intestines
      Liver

      Q2.
      One year is 12 long.

      Correct Answer: months, month

      Q3.
      How long are humans considered to be babies?

      1 month
      6 months
      Correct answer: 1 year
      2 years

      Q4.
      Which of these statements about mammals is not true?

      Mammals grow inside their mother’s wombs.
      Mammals are born living from their mothers.
      Correct answer: Mammals are hatched from eggs.
      Mammal offspring show some resemblance to their parents.

      Q5.
      At what age do humans start eating foods other than milk?

      Around 6 days
      Around 6 weeks
      Correct answer: Around 6 months
      Around 6 years

      Q6.
      Starting with the earliest, order the stages in a human baby’s development.

      1 - Kick legs
      2 - Sit up
      3 - Stand up
      4 - Start trying to walk

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      At what age do children become toddlers?

      6 months old
      Correct answer: 12 months old
      2 years old
      3 years old

      Q2.
      When humans reach 3 years old they are classed as a ...

      Correct Answer: child, children

      Q3.
      Which of these skills do most humans not usually learn as children?

      Reading
      Writing
      Correct answer: Driving
      Understanding numbers
      Running

      Q4.
      Starting with the youngest, order the stages of human development.

      1 - Baby
      2 - Toddler
      3 - Child

      Q5.
      Which of these statements about children is not true?

      Correct answer: All children develop at the same rate.
      Many children learn to ride a bike.
      Children’s social skills improve as they get older.
      Children usually need some help from their carers to survive and stay healthy.

      Q6.
      Which of these would be a good way to record different stages of human development?

      A Venn diagram
      Correct answer: A timeline
      A photograph of a baby
      A line graph

      To help you plan your 5 science lesson on: Changes in childhood, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...