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Primary Science · Year 5Chapter 4 · Growing up to old age
Year 5 · Chapter 4

Growing up to old age

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Name the five stages of human life, in order
  • Describe how babies and children grow, learn and need care
  • Describe the main changes of puberty in a calm and factual way
  • Describe the changes in adulthood and old age
  • Read a growth record, and say when growth was fastest

You should already know

  • Animal life cycles, including the life cycle of a mammal (Year 5 Science, Chapter 2)
  • Parts of the body, and the senses (Year 1 and Year 2 Science)

Where this leads

  • Properties and uses of materials (Year 5 Science, Chapter 5)
  • Circulation, diet and exercise, in Year 6 Science

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 science, Year 5. Content: A1 describe the changes as humans develop to old age (babyhood, childhood, puberty, adulthood, old age).

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhat is the name for a baby cat? Write the word.
2
FWrite the word for the stage of life that comes between a baby and an adult.
3
FName the part of the body that you use to see. Write the word.
4
FWhich bone protects the brain? Write the word.
5
FIs a balanced diet important for a growing body? Write yes or no.
4.1

The five stages of life

Year 5
A1: describe the changes as humans develop to old age, from babyhood to old age
Video lesson: The five stages of lifeComing soon
Story. Sam looks at old family photographs. There is a picture of him as a baby, a photo of him at school, a photo of his cousin at a party, and a picture of his grandad, who is now in his seventies. “People change a lot as they grow,” says Sam’s mum.

Humans go through a set of stages during their lives. The five stages are:

Each stage has its own changes. The changes happen gradually, and every person is different.

babyhoodchildhoodpubertyadulthoodold ageschematic figures, not to scale
Five simple figures, from babyhood to old age, in order. The figures are schematic, not to scale.
What happensStage of life
grows very quickly and needs an adult to feed and care for itbabyhood
learns to speak, to read and to write at schoolchildhood
a growth spurt, and the voice changespuberty
the body has stopped growing taller, usuallyadulthood
skin wrinkles, and hair may turn grey or whiteold age

Key ideas

  • Humans go through five stages: babyhood, childhood, puberty, adulthood and old age.
  • Babyhood is the first stage, and the body grows very quickly.
  • Puberty is the stage when the body changes, on the way to adulthood.
  • Adults have usually finished growing, and old age brings changes to the body.
Worked example 4.1.1
Which stage of life comes first? Write the word.

Method. Read the stages in order.

  1. Read the list. The list in section 4.1 starts with babyhood.
    babyhood first
  2. Name the stage. So the first stage is babyhood.
    babyhood
  3. Write the answer.
    babyhood

Check. Babyhood begins at birth. ✓

Worked example 4.1.2
Which stage comes after childhood? Write the word.

Method. Find childhood in the list.

  1. Find childhood. Childhood is the second stage in the list.
    second
  2. Name the next stage. The stage after childhood is puberty.
    puberty
  3. Write the answer.
    puberty

Check. Puberty is the stage on the way to adulthood. ✓

Worked example 4.1.3
Which stage of life comes last? Write the words.

Method. Read the last item in the list.

  1. Read the list. The last item in the list is old age.
    last item
  2. Name the stage. So the last stage is old age.
    old age
  3. Write the answer.
    old age

Check. Old age is the final stage of the five. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: the stages are not exact ages. Every person grows and changes at their own pace, so do not expect everyone to be the same.

Try it (with your teacher or a grown-up). Look at family photographs, with a grown-up. Choose three people, and put their photos in order from youngest to oldest. Write which stage of life each person is in. Talk about one change you can see in the photos.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “Which stage is this person in? What is different about them now?” Keep the talk calm and positive for every age.

Exercise 4A  The five stages of life

1
FWhich stage of life is the first stage, from birth? Write the word.
2
FWhich stage of life comes between babyhood and puberty? Write the word.
3
FWhich stage comes after adulthood? Write the words.
4
FHow many stages of life are listed in section 4.1? Write the number.
5
FWhich stage is the time when the body changes and grows towards adulthood? Write the word.
6
FFill in the gap: adulthood is when the body has usually finished ___. Write one word.
7
PSTrue or false: every person goes through the same changes at exactly the same age. Write true or false.
8
PSLook at the five figures in section 4.1. Which figure is the youngest stage? Write the word.
9
PSWorking scientifically. Put things in order. Put these stages in order, starting with the first: adulthood, babyhood, puberty. Write the first word.
10
RExplain why we say humans go through stages, rather than changing all at once. Write one sentence.
11
RExplain why the stage of old age is not the end of change. Write one sentence.
4.2

Babyhood

Year 5
A1: babyhood, the changes in the first stage of life
Video lesson: BabyhoodComing soon
Story. Ruby’s baby brother, Leo, was born last spring. He can’t walk or talk yet, and he needs help with everything. “He has grown so much already,” says Ruby’s mum. “In his first year, he will change more than in any other year.”

Babyhood begins at birth. In the first year of life a baby grows very quickly. It needs an adult to feed it, keep it warm and clean, and keep it safe. A baby cannot yet walk, talk or feed itself.

During babyhood a baby learns to lift its head, to sit, to crawl, and then to stand and walk. It also learns to make sounds, and then words.

babyhoodchildhoodpubertyadulthoodold ageschematic figures, not to scale
The first figure, babyhood, is highlighted. It has the largest head compared with its body.

Key ideas

  • Babyhood is the first stage of life, from birth.
  • A baby grows very quickly, and needs an adult for feeding, warmth and care.
  • A baby learns to sit, crawl, stand and walk, and then to talk.
  • A baby has a large head compared with its body.
Worked example 4.2.1
Which kind of care does a newborn baby need from an adult? Write one word.

Method. Think about what a baby cannot do yet.

  1. Think about feeding. A baby cannot feed itself, so it needs an adult to feed it.
    needs feeding
  2. Name the care. So the care it needs is feeding.
    feeding
  3. Write the answer.
    feeding

Check. A baby also needs warmth and cleaning. ✓

Worked example 4.2.2
Name one thing a baby learns to do during babyhood. Write the word.

Method. Read the list of things a baby learns.

  1. Read the list. A baby learns to sit, crawl, stand and walk.
    sit, crawl, walk
  2. Name one. One thing a baby learns is to walk.
    walk
  3. Write the answer.
    walk

Check. Accept any one of: sit, crawl, stand, walk, talk. ✓

Worked example 4.2.3
In which stage does a baby grow very quickly? Write the word.

Method. Read the description of babyhood.

  1. Read the description. In the first year of life a baby grows very quickly.
    grows very quickly
  2. Name the stage. That stage is babyhood.
    babyhood
  3. Write the answer.
    babyhood

Check. Babyhood is the first stage. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: a baby is not a small adult. It has a larger head compared with its body, and it needs an adult to care for it.

Try it (with your teacher or a grown-up). Look at a photo of a baby, with a grown-up. Name three things the baby can do, and three things it cannot do yet. Talk about who helps the baby.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “What could a baby do when it was born? What can you do now that you could not do then?” Keep it positive and warm.

Exercise 4B  Babyhood

1
FCan a newborn baby feed itself? Write yes or no.
2
FFill in the gap: during babyhood, a baby grows very ___. Write one word.
3
FWhich stage of life is the first stage, from birth? Write the word.
4
FName one thing a baby learns to do, from the list in section 4.2. Write one word.
5
PSWhich part of a baby’s body is large compared with the rest of its body? Write the word.
6
PSDoes a baby need an adult to keep it warm and clean? Write yes or no.
7
PSWhich of these does a baby learn to do first, and before walking? Write the word: crawl or talk.
8
PSTrue or false: a baby cannot walk, talk or feed itself at birth. Write true or false.
9
RWorking scientifically. Describe a change. Write one change a baby goes through in its first year. Write one sentence.
10
RExplain why a baby needs an adult to care for it. Write one sentence.
4.3

Childhood

Year 5
A1: childhood, the changes between babyhood and puberty
Video lesson: ChildhoodComing soon
Story. Mei is seven. She can read short books on her own, she has made new friends at school, and she can ride her bike without stabilisers. “I could not do any of that when I was a baby,” she says, with a smile.

Childhood is the stage between babyhood and puberty. A child grows steadily, and learns many new skills: speaking clearly, reading, writing, counting, and playing with others.

A child needs good food, enough sleep, regular exercise and clean habits, such as washing hands. Friends and family help a child to feel safe and happy.

babyhoodchildhoodpubertyadulthoodold ageschematic figures, not to scale
The second figure, childhood, is highlighted. It is taller than the baby, and its head is smaller compared with its body.

Key ideas

  • Childhood comes between babyhood and puberty.
  • A child grows steadily, and learns to speak, read, write and count.
  • A child needs good food, sleep, exercise and clean habits.
  • Compared with a baby, a child has a smaller head for its body.
Worked example 4.3.1
Which skill does a child learn at school? Write one word.

Method. Think about what school teaches.

  1. Think about school. At school a child learns to read and write.
    read and write
  2. Name one skill. One skill is reading.
    reading
  3. Write the answer.
    reading

Check. Accept reading, writing, counting or speaking. ✓

Worked example 4.3.2
Which stage comes before childhood? Write the word.

Method. Read the order of the stages.

  1. Read the order. The order is babyhood, childhood, puberty, adulthood and old age.
    babyhood, childhood
  2. Name the stage. The stage before childhood is babyhood.
    babyhood
  3. Write the answer.
    babyhood

Check. Childhood follows babyhood. ✓

Worked example 4.3.3
Name two things a child needs to stay healthy. Write the two words.

Method. Think about a healthy child.

  1. Think about the needs. A child needs good food, sleep and exercise.
    food, sleep, exercise
  2. Name two. Two needs are good food and sleep.
    food and sleep
  3. Write the answer.
    good food and sleep

Check. Accept any two of: good food, sleep, exercise, clean habits. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: a child is not a baby, and is not yet a teenager. Childhood is a stage of its own, with its own learning and changes.

Try it (with your teacher or a grown-up). Ask a grown-up to help you make a list of the skills you have learned since you were a baby. Put a tick next to each one you can do now. Count the ticks.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “What new skill have you learned this year? Who helped you learn it?” Praise effort, not just results.

Exercise 4C  Childhood

1
FWhich stage comes between babyhood and puberty? Write the word.
2
FWhich skill is learned at school: reading or walking? Write the word.
3
FFill in the gap: a child grows ___. Write one word, to describe steady growth.
4
FName one thing that a child needs to stay healthy, from the key ideas in section 4.3. Write one word.
5
FWhich of these helps a child feel safe and happy? Write the word: friends or sweets.
6
FWhich stage comes before childhood? Write the word.
7
PSLook at the figures in section 4.3. Is the child figure taller than the baby figure? Write yes or no.
8
PSLook at the figures in section 4.3. Which figure has the smaller head for its body: the baby or the child? Write the word.
9
PSTrue or false: a child stops learning new skills when it starts school. Write true or false.
10
RWorking scientifically. Plan a healthy routine. Write one thing a child can do each day to stay healthy. Write one sentence.
11
RExplain why friends and family are important to a child. Write one sentence.
4.4

Puberty

Year 5
A1: puberty, the changes that take the body towards adulthood, described calmly and factually
Video lesson: PubertyComing soon
Story. Tom notices that his voice sounds different when he talks on the phone, and his trainers feel too small. His grandad says: “Everyone goes through this. It is called puberty, and your body is getting ready for adulthood.”

Puberty is the time when the body changes, on the way to adulthood. The changes happen at different times for different people, and no two people change in exactly the same way.

During puberty the body changes in several ways:

These changes are normal. Washing every day, wearing clean clothes and using deodorant help to keep the body fresh.

57911131517100120140160180age (years)height (cm)
Line graph of an example growth record. The height rises fastest between ages 11 and 13.
Age (years)Height (cm)
5110
7122
9134
11146
13160
15170
17174

Key ideas

  • Puberty is the stage when the body changes, on the way to adulthood.
  • During puberty there is a growth spurt, when the body grows quickly.
  • The voice changes, and body hair grows during puberty.
  • Washing and deodorant help to keep the body fresh during puberty.
Worked example 4.4.1
Look at the record table in section 4.4. How much did the pupil grow between age 11 and age 13? Write the number of centimetres.

Method. Find the two heights and subtract.

  1. Read the two heights. The height at age 11 is 146 cm, and at age 13 it is 160 cm.
    146 and 160
  2. Subtract. The growth is 160 minus 146, which is 14 cm.
    160 - 146 = 14
  3. Write the answer.
    14

Check. Check: 146 + 14 = 160. ✓

Watch out. Subtract the smaller height from the larger height.

Worked example 4.4.2
Which change in puberty is a growth spurt? Write the words.

Method. Read the list of changes.

  1. Read the list. The first change in the list is a growth spurt, when the body grows quickly.
    growth spurt
  2. Name the change. So the change is a growth spurt.
    growth spurt
  3. Write the answer.
    a growth spurt

Check. A growth spurt is when the body grows quickly. ✓

Worked example 4.4.3
Is it normal for a voice to change during puberty? Write yes or no.

Method. Read the list of changes.

  1. Read the list. The list says the voice changes, and it can become deeper.
    voice changes
  2. Decide. So a voice changing is one of the normal changes, and the answer is yes.
    yes
  3. Write the answer.
    yes

Check. Puberty changes happen to everyone at different times. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: puberty does not start at the same age for everyone. A change that happens later than your friend’s is still normal.

Try it (with your teacher or a grown-up). With a grown-up, look at the growth record in the table. Find the age at which the pupil grew the most. Talk about why people’s bodies change as they get older.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Keep this calm and factual. Let your child ask questions. Say that these changes are normal, and that everyone changes at their own pace. Answer any questions honestly, and help your child find a trusted adult to talk to.

Exercise 4D  Puberty

1
FWhich stage of life is the time when the body changes, on the way to adulthood? Write the word.
2
FLook at the growth record table in section 4.4. What height was the pupil at age 13? Write the number of centimetres.
3
FLook at the growth record table in section 4.4. How much did the pupil grow between age 5 and age 7? Write the number of centimetres.
4
PSLook at the growth record table in section 4.4. Between which two ages was the biggest increase in height? Write the two ages.
5
PSLook at the growth record table in section 4.4. Between which two ages was the smallest increase? Write the two ages.
6
FFill in the gap: during puberty there is a growth ___. Write one word.
7
FName one thing that can help to keep the body fresh during puberty. Write one word.
8
PSTrue or false: every person goes through puberty at exactly the same age. Write true or false.
9
PSWorking scientifically. Read a graph. Look at the growth graph in section 4.4. Between ages 5 and 17, how much did the pupil grow in total? Write the number of centimetres.
57911131517100120140160180age (years)height (cm)
10
RExplain why some changes in puberty can make a person feel different from before. Write one sentence.
11
RExplain why washing and deodorant are useful during puberty. Write one sentence.
4.5

Adulthood and old age

Year 5
A1: adulthood and old age, the changes to the body in the later stages of life
Video lesson: Adulthood and old ageComing soon
Story. Mr Patel’s father is in his seventies. He has grey hair, and his hands and face are more wrinkled than they used to be. “I have more time to garden and read now,” he says. “I still learn new things, and I still enjoy life.”

Adulthood is the stage when the body has usually finished growing. Adults can make their own decisions, look after themselves, and work. Many adults have children of their own.

In old age the body changes again. Common changes include:

Old age is not the end of learning. Exercise, a healthy diet and friends help people to stay well and active for longer.

babyhoodchildhoodpubertyadulthoodold ageschematic figures, not to scale
The fifth figure, old age, is highlighted. It is a little shorter than the adult figure, because of changes such as a bending back.

Key ideas

  • Adulthood is when the body has usually finished growing.
  • In old age the skin may wrinkle, and the hair may turn grey or white.
  • In old age the bones can become weaker.
  • Exercise, a healthy diet and friends help people stay well in old age.
Worked example 4.5.1
In which stage has the body usually finished growing? Write the word.

Method. Read the description in section 4.5.

  1. Read the description. Adulthood is when the body has usually finished growing.
    finished growing
  2. Name the stage. So the stage is adulthood.
    adulthood
  3. Write the answer.
    adulthood

Check. Adults are fully grown in height. ✓

Worked example 4.5.2
Name one change to the hair in old age. Write the words.

Method. Read the list of changes in old age.

  1. Read the list. In old age the hair may turn grey or white, or become thinner.
    turn grey
  2. Name one change. One change is that the hair turns grey or white.
    grey or white
  3. Write the answer.
    turns grey or white

Check. Accept any one of: turns grey, turns white, becomes thinner. ✓

Worked example 4.5.3
Do the bones become weaker in old age? Write yes or no.

Method. Read the list of changes in old age.

  1. Read the list. The list says the bones can become weaker in old age.
    weaker
  2. Decide. So the answer is yes.
    yes
  3. Write the answer.
    yes

Check. Bones can become weaker, so care is needed. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: old age does not mean illness. Many older people stay active, learn new things and enjoy life. Change is normal; it is not a problem in itself.

Try it (with your teacher or a grown-up). With a grown-up, talk to an older relative or friend (if they are happy to chat). Ask them one question about a change they have noticed as they got older. Write down their answer in your own words. Thank them.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Keep the talk respectful. Let your child ask one question each. Remind them that every older person is different.

Exercise 4E  Adulthood and old age

1
FIn which stage has the body usually finished growing? Write the word.
2
FWhich stage of life comes after adulthood? Write the words.
3
FFill in the gap: in old age, the skin can become thinner, and ___ can appear. Write one word.
4
FName one change to the hair in old age, from section 4.5. Write one word.
5
FAre the bones weaker in old age? Write yes or no.
6
PSLook at the five figures in section 4.5. Which figure is the adult? Write the word.
babyhoodchildhoodpubertyadulthoodold ageschematic figures, not to scale
7
PSLook at the five figures in section 4.5. Which figure is the oldest? Write the word.
babyhoodchildhoodpubertyadulthoodold ageschematic figures, not to scale
8
PSTrue or false: old age is the end of learning. Write true or false.
9
PSWorking scientifically. Compare two stages. Write one way an adult is different from an old person. Write one sentence.
10
RExplain why exercise and a healthy diet help people in old age. Write one sentence.
11
RExplain why change is a normal part of life, at every stage. Write one sentence.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
BabyhoodThe first stage. The body grows very quickly, and the baby needs an adult to feed and care for it.
ChildhoodGrowth is steady. Children learn to speak, read, write and count, and need good food, sleep and exercise.
PubertyThe body changes on the way to adulthood, with a growth spurt, a changing voice and body hair.
AdulthoodThe body has usually finished growing. Adults can make their own decisions and look after themselves.
Old ageThe skin can wrinkle, the hair can turn grey, and the bones can become weaker. Activity and friends help.

Can you…?

  • I can name the five stages of life, in order, from babyhood to old age
  • I can describe the changes in babyhood and childhood
  • I can describe the main changes of puberty in a calm and factual way
  • I can describe the changes in adulthood and old age
  • I can read a growth record, and say when growth was fastest

Key terms

babyhood
the first stage of life, from birth, when the body grows very quickly
childhood
the stage between babyhood and puberty, with steady growth and learning
puberty
the time when the body changes, on the way to adulthood
growth spurt
a short time of very quick growth
adulthood
the stage when the body has usually finished growing
old age
the later stage of life, when the body changes again
wrinkles
lines in the skin that appear as people get older
deodorant
a product used to keep the body smelling fresh

Exercise 4Z  Check-up

1
Look at the five figures in section 4.1. Which stage comes after puberty? Write the word.
babyhoodchildhoodpubertyadulthoodold ageschematic figures, not to scale
2
Which stage of life is the first, from birth? Write the word.
3
Can a newborn baby feed itself? Write yes or no.
4
Which skill does a child learn at school? Write one word.
5
Look at the growth record table in section 4.4. How tall was the pupil at age 15? Write the number of centimetres.
Age (years)Height (cm)
5110
7122
9134
11146
13160
15170
17174
6
Look at the growth record table in section 4.4. Between which two ages was the biggest increase? Write the two ages.
Age (years)Height (cm)
5110
7122
9134
11146
13160
15170
17174
7
Name one change to the voice during puberty. Write the words.
8
Fill in the gap: in old age the hair may turn ___ or white. Write one word.
9
What is the name of the stage in which the body has usually finished growing? Write the word.
10
True or false: every person goes through the same changes at exactly the same age. Write true or false.

Total 16 marks. Allow about 16 minutes.

Exercise 4X  Practice test questions

1
FWrite the word for the stage of life when the body changes, on the way to adulthood.[1 mark]
2
FWhich stage of life comes first, from birth? Write the word.[1 mark]
3
FName one thing that a baby cannot do without an adult. Write the word.[1 mark]
4
FWhich stage of life comes between childhood and adulthood? Write the word.[1 mark]
5
FLook at the growth record table in section 4.4. Which age had a height of 134 cm? Write the number.
Age (years)Height (cm)
5110
7122
9134
11146
13160
15170
17174
[1 mark]
6
FLook at the growth record table in section 4.4. How much did the pupil grow between age 13 and age 15? Write the number of centimetres.
Age (years)Height (cm)
5110
7122
9134
11146
13160
15170
17174
[2 marks]
7
FName two changes that happen to the body in old age. Write two words.[2 marks]
8
RExplain why a baby needs an adult to care for it, and give one reason. Write one sentence.[2 marks]
9
RExplain why the voice may change during puberty. Write one sentence.[2 marks]
10
RLook at the five figures in section 4.5. Explain how the old age figure is different from the adult figure. Write one sentence.
babyhoodchildhoodpubertyadulthoodold ageschematic figures, not to scale
[3 marks]
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