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Characteristics Of Physical Development for Primary 5

Explore key physical development characteristics in Primary 5! This lesson on physical changes for Primary 5 explains growth spurts and motor skill refinement

Royal AlikorByRoyal AlikorPublishedMay 15, 2025Reading5 minComments0

Class: Primary 5
Term: 3rd Term
Subject: National Values Education
Curriculum Theme: Social studies
previous Lesson: Meaning Of Personal Hygiene And Development
Topic: Characteristics Of Physical Development
Content/Learning Area: Characteristics of physical development of children at pre-adolescent stage
Time Allocation: 40 minutes

performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

  • Cognitive Domain: Identify at least four characteristics of physical development during the pre-adolescent stage.
  • Affective Domain: Appreciate the importance of physical development during growth.
  • Psychomotor Domain: Demonstrate or point out physical features that change as children grow.
  • Social Domain: Share experiences of personal physical changes with classmates confidently.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

  • 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
  • Abuja educational Resource Center Scheme of Work
  • NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work
  • Online Information from: Virtual Lab School – Physical Development: An Introduction
  • Relevant Textbooks

Instructional Materials

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will use the following:

  • Charts showing stages of child development
  • Flashcards with physical changes
  • Whiteboard and marker
  • Pictures of children at different stages of growth
  • Videos or animations about child growth

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding physical development helps children become aware of body changes and promotes healthy growth practices.

Prerequisite/Previous knowledge

Pupils have observed growth changes in themselves and others and can identify differences in age-based physical features.

Lesson Content

Characteristics Of Physical Development

Physical development means the changes that happen in the body as children grow. These changes usually start between the ages of 9 to 12 and continue as they grow older.

Body Growth: Children at this stage experience fast growth in height and weight.The following are signs of body growth:

  1. Increase in height
  2. Increase in body weight
  3. Longer arms and legs
  4. Larger hands and feet
  5. Stronger bones
  6. Increase in shoe size
  7. Increase in appetite

Changes in Voice and Face: Some parts of the body, like the voice and face, also begin to change during this stage. These include:

  1. Voice becomes deeper in boys
  2. Face becomes longer
  3. Nose and chin may grow larger
  4. Skin may change slightly
  5. facial shape begins to mature
  6. Development of acne or pimples
  7. Changes in the jawline

Growth of Hair: Hair begins to grow in new parts of the body. The following are common changes:

  1. Hair grows under the arms
  2. Hair appears around the private parts
  3. hair on the arms and legs becomes thicker
  4. Boys may begin to grow facial hair
  5. Eyebrows may appear thicker
  6. Increase in hair density on the scalp
  7. Changes in hair texture

Development of Muscles and Chest: The body begins to take shape with stronger muscles. These include:

  1. Broader chest in boys
  2. Bigger muscles in arms and legs
  3. Hips widen in girls
  4. Shoulders widen in boys
  5. Muscles become more defined
  6. Increased physical strength
  7. Improved coordination

Teaching Methods

To deliver this lesson,‌ ⁤the teacher will⁤ adopt⁤ the following methods: Discussion, lecture, storytelling, clarification, visual aids, group work

Instructional Procedures

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 min
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher asks pupils what they notice about their growing bodies
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond and share observations

Step 2: Body Growth

Time: 5 min
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: teacher explains what physical development means and introduces body growth signs
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and give examples

Step 3: Changes in Voice and Face

Time: 5 min
Teaching Skill: Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher describes changes in voice and face with pictures and charts
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe and mention similar changes

Step 4: Growth of Hair

Time: 5 min
Teaching Skill: Visual aid
Teacher’s Activity: teacher shows images and explains where and how hair starts to grow
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify body parts where hair grows

Step 5: Muscle and Chest Development

Time: 5 min
Teaching Skill: Guided Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher explains how muscles grow and changes in boys’ and girls’ bodies
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils compare body features in boys and girls

Step 6: Note-Taking

Time: 5 min
Teaching Skill: writing
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher guides pupils to write down the lesson content in their notebooks
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils write neatly in their notebooks

step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 min
Teaching Skill: questioning
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher asks pupils questions about the lesson
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer questions

Objective-aligned checks:

  1. Identify at least four characteristics of physical development during the pre-adolescent stage.
  2. Demonstrate or point out physical features that change as children grow.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 min
Teaching Skill: Cognitive, instructional
Teacher’s Activity: teacher summarizes the lesson and reminds pupils that everyone grows differently
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask final questions, and clap for themselves

Lesson Keywords

  • growth – Increase in size or height
  • Development – Body changes during growing up
  • Adolescent – Age between childhood and teenage
  • Muscles – Parts of the body that help us move
  • Facial Hair – Hair on the face like mustache or beard

Lesson Evaluation

To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:

  1. Mention three signs of body growth in pre-adolescents
  2. List two changes that happen in the face
  3. Say where new hair grows on the body
  4. Name two differences between boys and girls during development
  5. Share one personal experience of physical development

Assignment/Homework

  1. Write a short paragraph about the physical changes you have noticed in yourself in the last year.
  2. Interview a family member about their experiences with physical development during their pre-adolescent years.
  3. Draw a picture illustrating the different stages of physical development in children.

Differentiation

  • For slower learners: Teacher will give extra attention to slow learners by using visual aids and allow more time for responses and writing.
  • For advanced learners: Encourage advanced learners to research and present on the hormonal changes that cause these physical developments.
  • For visual/auditory/kinesthetic learners: Use visual charts,audio explanations,and physical activities to demonstrate the concepts.

Note for Teachers

Encourage pupils to be respectful and confident when talking about their body changes. Create a safe and supportive class environment.

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Characteristics Of Physical Development for Primary 5
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