Question

Compare and contrast:

Prenatal and postnatal stages of development

Answer 1

Prenatal period extends from conception till birth. The heredity and sex of the person is determined at conception. This stage lasts for 238 - 290 days or 9 calendar months. Proportionally, faster growth and development takes place during this period as compared to an individual's entire life. Favourable conditions such as proper nutrition, etc., of the mother, foster healthy fetal development.
Postnatal stage extends from birth till death i.e., from the neonatal period till the end of life. Heredity, maturation, and learning play an important role in postnatal development. It includes physical, motor, cognitive, emotional, social, and moral development of the individual through stages like neonate, infant, child, adolescent, youth, middle age, and old age.