Physical Development and Health in Early Childhood Chapter

Physical Development and Health in Early Childhood Chapter 9

Aspects of Physiological Development n Bodily Growth and Change n n n In early childhood (3 to 6 years), children slim down and shoot up Muscular and skeletal growth makes children stronger Growth changes promote development of a wide range of motor skills

Aspects of Physiological Development n Nutrition: Preventing Overweight n n Overweight increase is greatest among children in low-income families Preschoolers need fewer calories in proportion to their weight, but eating patterns become more environmentally influenced as they age

Aspects of Physiological Development n Nutrition: Preventing Overweight n n n What children eat is as important as how much they eat Prevention of overweight is critical, as long-term treatment success for obesity is limited Overweight children tend to be overweight adults

Aspects of Physiological Development n Sleep Patterns and Problems n Walking and talking during sleep are fairly common in early childhood n Occasional nightmares: not cause for alarm n Sleep (or night) terror: awakens in a state of panic

Aspects of Physiological Development n Sleep Patterns and Problems n Enuresis (bed-wetting) is repeated urination, especially at night n Enuresis runs in families; tends to be more concordant in identical twins than fraternal twins n Usually, enuresis is common, not serious, and has effective treatments available

Motor Development n Motor Skills n n n Gross motor skills involve the large muscles Fine motor skills--manipulative eyehand small-muscle coordination in skills Video

Motor Skill Development in Early Childhood n Gross Motor Skills n n n Walking, running smoother Catching, throwing, swinging, riding Fine Motor Skills n n Self-help: dressing, eating Drawing

Motor Development n Artistic Development n Children's early pictures show energy and freedom; later, they show care and accuracy

Progression of Drawing Skills n n Scribbles: during 2 nd year First Representational Forms n Label already-made drawings: around age 3 n Draw boundaries and people: 3– 4 years More Realistic Drawings: preschool to school age Early Printing: Ages 3– 5

Development of Children’s Drawing

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect n Maltreatment: Facts and Figures n n n Highest rates are for children 3 and under American Indian, Alaska Native, and African American children have the highest rates Physical aggression occurs at least 1 -2 x a year in nearly 9 out of 10 households

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect n Contributing Factors: An Ecological View n n n Maltreatment by parents is aggravated by other family problems A disproportionate number of abused and neglected children are in large, poor, or single -parent families Characteristics of abusive parents and families

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect n Contributing Factors: An Ecological View n n n Characteristics of neglectful parents and families Abuse and neglect often happen in the same household Two cultural values associated with child abuse are societal violence and physical punishment of children

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect n Effects of Maltreatment n n n Effects include physical, emotional, cognitive, and social consequences Behavior problems in school Often have disorganized-disoriented attachments to their parents and negative, distorted self-concepts

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect n Effects of Maltreatment n n Deprived of early positive social interactions interfere with social skill development Abused children are at higher risk of becoming delinquent, criminal, or mentally ill