The Elementary Years Ages 6 10 years Essential

The Elementary Years Ages 6 -10 years

Essential Question l What affect do elementary milestones have on a child’s success in school?

Physical Development l l l Girls may be taller and heavier Bones continue to ossify; face looks more adult like Permanent teeth replace “baby teeth”

Physical Development l l l Postural habits are developed Fine motor skills are more and more complex Reproductive system develops slowly at 910 yrs

Intellectual-Cognitive Development l l Knowledge explosion l They are sponges for information Brain reaching adult size 6 yr old has brief attention span By age 10 can focus for longer periods of times

Intellectual-Cognitive Development l l l Move from learning simple numbers to doing simple math Writing from print to cursive at 8 -10 yrs 9 -10 yrs: understands time (past, present, future) l Knows right from wrong l Knows fantasy from reality l Understands honesty and fairness

Psycho-Emotional Development l l 1 st grade: parents & other adults are still central l Like to abide by rules and please adults they like l Home life is most influential in their behavior 10 years: more influenced by peers l Very expressive…move from one feeling to another l Grasp concepts of time and distance l Sensitive to criticism and failure

Social Development l l l School is central to life between 6 & 10 yrs Enjoys friends, sleepovers, organized sports, & video games l Need to be cautious of too many activities l Need quiet and alone time Appropriate social behaviors learned at this time

Health Care (aspects of care) l l l Structure and schedule help to maintain order and discipline. Monitoring of activity needed for injury prevention l No contact sports Consistency in daily activities/discipline for intellectual, emotional & social development

Health Care (aspects of care) l l Regular health/dental care l Catch communicable illness in school Maintain immunization schedule

The Middle School Child 11 -13 years of age

Activity l Write down on a piece of paper …. (do not write your name on the paper) l l l What is the worst thing you experienced during puberty? What is the best thing you experienced during puberty? What is the one thing you would want a middle school boy or girl to know about puberty?

Physical Development l l l Girls mature more rapidly Puberty occurs in most females at 12 -13 but as early as age 9! l Menarche: onset of menstruation l Remember they are still a child! Males experience puberty usually around age 14

Puberty Changes in Girls l Estrogen production l Mature egg production begins l Manarche occurs Breasts develop Hips widen l Shape becomes more rounded l l

Puberty Changes in Boys l Testosterone production begins l l l External genitalia grow “wet dreams” may occur l l l Sperm production begins Discharge of semen while boy sleeps Have no control over occurrence Shoulders broaden Facial hair develops Significant musculature develops

Puberty Changes in Both Boys and Girls l l Grow taller Gain weight Body hair grows Voices deepen l l l Boys more than girls Increased muscle mass Acne

Physical Development l l Bones grow, fusion continues l Adequate calcium intake and weight-bearing exercise are necessary for strong bones to develop May appear “lanky”; all arms and legs l Girls may begin to take on a more curvy shape

Discussion l Is there increasing pressure on girls at a younger and younger age to behave in a more adult manner? l Do boys have this same pressure?

Intellectual-Cognitive l l Grades may slip l So many physical/psychological changes allow less energy for academics Learning to think abstractly and critically l l Question the reason for things May lead to arguments Preadolescent may express themselves through writing or music or physical activity May tend to exaggerate or ‘fib’

Psycho-Emotional l l Crave independence yet unsure of themselves Learning roles of sexuality l Need accurate information and may not be comfortable asking parents l l School nurse/counselor Temperamental/moody l Incorporates behaviors of peers

Social Development l l Striving to fit into a group Usually have same sex friends Girls express an earlier interest in male-female relationships than do boys Peers are often largest source of support and information…… Pros/cons?

Healthcare / Aspects of Care l l l Need assurance of love and value! Consistency in discipline and demands very important. Parents should not be hypercritical or make too many demands. Monitor friendships and associations Regular health care visits, immunizations Do not over schedule child’s time l Personal quiet time for reflection is necessary

Sexual Abuse in Children l l l 1 in 5 girls, 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse Children are most vulnerable between the ages of 7 and 13. 3 out of 4 children who have been sexually assaulted knew there abuser

What is sexual abuse? l l l Fondling Making a child touch an adult’s sexual organs Sexual intercourse Exposing children to pornographic material Indecent exposure And the list goes on……

Effects of Child Sexual Abuse l l l Extend far beyond childhood Robs children of their childhood Creates loss of trust Feelings of guilt / self-abusive behavior Depression / antisocial behavior Difficulty with intimate relationships later in life.

Signs and Symptoms l Children do not always verbalize abuse l l l l Often too traumatized to tell “our little secret” Nightmares Bed wetting / stranger anxiety Poor school performance Promiscuity / loss of innocence Substance abuse Running away from home

What to do… l l Teach children how to say “NO” Teach children about “bad” touch Are they uncomfortable around certain adults? Supervise children…. only leave them in the care of individuals whom you deem safe Locker rooms l Sleepovers l Camping trips video l

The Adolescent 14 -19 years

Discussion l Answer the following question on a piece of paper…. NO NAME l What has been the most difficult part of your adolescent years? What has been the best part of your adolescent years? If you could have given yourself advise, what would it have been? l l

Lots of Physiological Changes l l l Developing their sexual identity Establishing increasing independence Making career and school choices Developing more mature/meaningful relationships with peers and adults Preparing to assume their adult roles

Physical Development l l l Females attain their adult weight/height Males attain maximum height by age 25 Bone structure, genetics and health & nutrition determine teens stature l Weight control may be an issue l Health problems of adulthood can be traced back to lifelong habits.

Physical Development Cardiac, respiratory, & digestive functions are nearing adult stages l Accurate education is necessary about sexual behavior l l Can now reproduce

Cognitive-Intellectual Development l l Early adolescents start to question peers and adults. Need to work out answers that fit within their values l Abstract and critical thinking

Cognitive-Intellectual Development l l Still lacking foresight Often do not see the connection between today’s behavior and tomorrow’s consequences l May lead to experimentation of drugs, alcohol, sex

Psycho-Emotional Development l Knows the socially acceptable ways to express feelings l l However pressure may result in angry outbursts Appearance is worrisome as many feel everyone is looking at them l Fear and anxiety

Psycho-Emotional Development l Often feels alone and misunderstood l l “No one understands me” Unrealistic sense of immortality or of being invulnerable l l Leads to risk taking behavior “It wont happen to me” attitude

Social Development l l Friendships are very important Goals include: learning effective interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, comfortable with own style of communication

Social Development l Concerned for welfare of others l Community service l Take on problems of friends l In later teen years, more comfortable with the company of parents l Outgrow “embarrassment” of parents

Problems Faced by Teens

Eating Disorders l l Feel pressured to “look good” Anorexia Nervosa: leads to starvation l Extreme weight loss l Intense fear of weight gain l Refusal to eat or eating small portions l Menstrual irregularity l Amenorrhea ~ Absence of period Altered body image l See themselves as fat § l

Eating Disorders l Bulimia Nervosa: binge eating and purging l Overachieving behaviors l Ritualistic food behaviors l Avoidance of social food situations l Excessive exercise / fasting l Irregular menstruation or amenorrhea l Teeth changes from acid in vomit l Low self esteem l May be of normal weight

Substance Abuse l l Experimentation and risk taking Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, prescription drugs, cocaine and heroin l Signs to look for: personality changes, withdrawal from family, change in friends, grades dropping, change in health or appearance l At risk teens: family history, low selfesteem, depression, and a sense of ‘not fitting in’

Violence l Takes many forms l Increased exposure leads to insensitivity to violence l l Movies, video games, music Poverty is a leading cause Being a victim at home Bullying Can lead to homicidal acts l Harbor resentment l § Anger explodes

Sex l STDs- educate to prevent! l l Spread by blood-borne pathogens Teen Pregnancy l Associated with low birth weight, prematurity, cesarean delivery, child abuse l STDS

Suicide l l 3 rd leading cause of death for 15 -24 yr olds Higher in males although more female attempts l Warning signs include: depression, anger toward self, alcohol and/or substance abuse, changes in habits (sloppy), gifting personal items, verbal hints about committing suicide l What to do: listen, take it seriously, get help from an adult, do not promise to “keep the secret”, never assume it’s “just talk”

Healthcare / Aspects of Care l l l Teens need adequate calcium and exercise for strong bone development. Need to know risks of sexual activity: pregnancy, STDs Need to spend time enjoying friendships, sporting events, social events

Healthcare / Aspects of Care l Caregivers should: l l l l Listen Provide firm & friendly discipline Educate / Give facts Set limits and keep them Set examples of good behavior/taste REMEMBER what it was like! video