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Human Life Cycle KS2

Teach your KS2 class about the human life cycle with this ready-to-teach lesson. It starts by challenging your Year 5 children to think about all the ways in which they have changed since starting school before exploring the six stages in the human life cycle. They will find out more information about what happens during each of these stages (gestation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age) and think about how the differences between each phase can be characterised.  

This human life cycle KS2 Science lesson includes:

  • a detailed lesson plan with differentiated activities
  • a slideshow for the teaching input
  • a range of printable resources for independent learning activities

This lesson is part of our Changes and Reproduction for Year 5.

Human Life Cycle KS2 Lesson Pack

£2.99

Scroll through the pictures for a preview of the lesson's resources:

Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - slideshow example 1
Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - slideshow example 2
Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - slideshow example 3
Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - slideshow example 4
Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - slideshow example 5
Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - slideshow example 6
Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - slideshow example 7
Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - slideshow example 8
Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - worksheet example 1
Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - worksheet example 2
Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - worksheet example 3
Human Life Cycle KS2 lesson - lesson plan example

The Human Life Cycle

What is the human life cycle?

The human life cycle describes the different stages in the lives of humans. Starting with gestation, it describes the changes humans go through as they grow and develop through infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age.

What are the stages in the human life cycle?

1. Gestation

New life begins as a microscopic fertilised egg cell inside the mother’s womb. The cell divides and grows, getting bigger and bigger. To begin with it is called an embryo, then after around 40 days it is called a fetus. Finally, after about 37 weeks it is ready to be born.

2. Infancy

Infants rely on their parents for everything at first. After a few months, they can move on their hands and knees. Babies grow very quickly at this stage. By the time they are four years old, toddlers have learned to walk, talk and read a few words.

3. Childhood

From around the ages of four to nine, growth slows down a bit, but not much! Your bones and muscles continue to strengthen and grow more slowly, and your brain grows and develops as you learn and play. Another big growth spurt is just around the corner…

4. Adolescence

Puberty occurs at the start of this stage. This is where humans mature sexually. Adolescence is the process of maturing from a child into an adult.

5. Adulthood

By this stage, humans are fully grown. Their brains are fully developed and their bodies are ready to reproduce and have children. They are fitter and stronger than they have ever been, or ever will be...

6. Old age

As humans get older, their bodies are not as good at renewing and repairing themselves. Muscles, bones and eyesight (among other things) can gradually weaken, and our appearance changes.

The stages of the human life cycle from infancy to old age

The stages of the human life cycle from infancy to old age

When should children learn about the human life cycle?  

According to the National Curriculum, children should learn about the human life cycle in KS2. It is assigned as compulsory learning in Year 5 under the 'Animals including humans' strand of learning.

Children should learn to:

  • describe the changes as humans develop to old age.

The non-statutory activities suggest that children should draw a timeline to indicate stages in the growth and development of humans. They should learn about the changes experienced in puberty. Pupils could work scientifically by researching the gestation periods of other animals and comparing them with humans; by finding out and recording the length and mass of a baby as it grows.

These objectives are all covered within our 'Changes and Reproduction' scheme of work for Year 5.