Physical Development and Health in Early Childhood

Chapter 9

Aspects of Physiological Development

Bodily Growth and Change 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

Nutrition: Preventing Overweight 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

Nutrition: Preventing Overweight 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

Sleep Patterns and Problems Walking and talking during sleep are

fairly common in early childhood Occasional nightmares: not cause for

alarm Sleep (or night) terror: awakens in a state

of panic

Aspects of Physiological Development

Sleep Patterns and Problems Enuresis (bed-wetting) is repeated urination,

especially at night Enuresis runs in families; tends to be more

concordant in identical twins than fraternal twins

Usually, enuresis is common, not serious, and has effective treatments available

Motor Development Motor Skills

Gross motor skills involve the large muscles

Fine motor skills--manipulative eye-hand and small-muscle coordination in skills

Video

Motor Skill Development in Early Childhood

Gross Motor Skills Walking, running smoother Catching, throwing,

swinging, riding Fine Motor Skills

Self-help: dressing, eating Drawing

Motor Development Artistic Development

Children's early pictures show energy and freedom; later, they show care and accuracy

Progression of Drawing Skills

Scribbles: during 2nd year First Representational Forms

Label already-made drawings:

around age 3 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 Maltreatment: Facts and Figures

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 1-2x a year in nearly 9 out of 10 households

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect Contributing Factors: An Ecological View

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 Contributing Factors: An Ecological View

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 Effects of Maltreatment

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 Effects of Maltreatment

Deprived of early positive social interactions interfere with social skill development

Abused children are at higher risk of becoming delinquent, criminal, or mentally ill