Study the designated life stages. There are a variety of important developmental life stages that set the course for a person's life. Life stages are grouped into series of two to three years between the human ages of 0 and 19. Within these stages, humans learn important basic life skills such as motor abilities, emotional responses, independence and communication. These life stages are considered to be the most important as people learns many life lessons that are difficult to undo later whether positive or negative.
Understand the basic types of development. Human development is grouped into three main parts; these are biological, cognitive, and psychological. Biological development largely relies on genetic makeup, so there is little that can be done to affect this process outside of eating healthily and getting adequate exercise. Cognitive development is largely contributed to environment. Humans need interaction in order to learn. If left alone from birth to adulthood, humans will learn very little. Cognitive development is formed through images, perceptions, reasoning and problem solving skill development. Psychological development is largely determined by an individual's environment. This type of development is formed through personality, emotions, social interaction and expectations.
Evaluate internal and external factors. When trying to understand life span development, take into account internal and eternal factors as life experience greatly affects life span development. Variations in growth or mental capability can be directly related to genes, environment, comprehension abilities, social experiences, temperament and maturation.
Immerse yourself in the theory of adaptation. Adaptation is centered around the notion that people utilize internal and external factors to build responses to life events. Some of these experiences can hinder or help to propel an individual toward lifetime success.