Caring for SchoolAge Children Chapter 4 Development in

Caring for School-Age Children Chapter 4 Development in Middle Childhood: Physical Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Importance of Understanding Development Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Study of Human Development Examines How Individuals Grow and Change over Time • Nature refers to those changes that are inherited from parents Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

• Nurture refers to all the experiences and influences that one is exposed to from the moment of conception and throughout a lifetime Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Physical Development Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Height and Weight • Height differences are more pronounced, girls are taller • Girls are heavier than boys by the end of the elementary years Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Obesity • Is a growing problem amongst children • Can affect a child emotionally as well as physically Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Possible Causes of Obesity • • Heredity Activity level Television watching Types of foods consumed Attitudes toward food Traumatic event Physiological problems Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Implications for Child Care Staff Members • Assure children they are accepted no matter how they look • Help obese children change eating patterns and increase activity level • Encourage families to change the environment that created the obesity Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

• Help children evaluate the information they receive concerning health • Offer only nutritious meals and snacks • Provide activities that encourage health and fitness Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

• Model behavior that demonstrates fitness • Become informed about community health services and resources Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Health Conditions Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Children May Suffer from a Variety of Health Conditions • • Chronic illnesses Communicable diseases Poor nutrition Inadequate preventive care Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Motor Skills Gross-motor skills Fine-motor skills Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Differences in Motor Skills • Boys have greater forearm strength • Girls have greater flexibility • Some skills are related to other skills and do not depend upon the amount of practice • Heredity may be a factor in how well a child performs a motor skill Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Implications for Child Care Staff Members • Provide a wide variety of activities requiring different skills • Allow ample time to practice and refine new skills • Encourage both genders to participate in all activities Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

• Offer children encouragement for their efforts rather than praise for their achievements • Encourage children to teach their skills to others • Discourage competition Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Personal Reflection Reflect on your personal physical development during middle childhood. What encouragement did you have for physical fitness? Copyright 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved.