Chapter 11: Physical Development in Middle Childhood

Physical development in middle childhood: increases in height, weight, strength, teeth

Height: 2-3 inches a year

• The only period where girls are taller on average (start growth spurt at age 10)

Weight: 5-7 lbs a year, redistributed, loss of “baby fat”

Strength: boys are stronger and bones become harder via ossification

Teeth: start falling out around 4 per year at age 6

Nutrition is linked to…

Positive emotion, peer involvement, reduced anxiety, verbal abilities, motivation to learn

Obesity

A BMI at or above the 95th percentile

17.5% of children in the US are obese

Heightens risk of heart disease, diabetes, and adult obesity

Obesity is caused by…

Genetic factors, poor diet, lack of exercise

Many kids stay inside on technology and snack while they scroll

Asthma

A chronic condition characterized by periodic attacks of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath when the airways leading to the lungs constrict

Afflicts more than 7million children in the US

Triggered by respiratory infections, airborne irritants, stress, exercise, and sudden changes in air temperature or humidity

More than ____ of children are likely to have at least one serious medical condition during middle childhood and ____ has a chronic condition

90%, 1 in 9

Between __ and __ percent of children in the US experience a mental disorder

13 - 20

Improvement in gross and fine motor skills

Gross: increased muscle coordination

• Recent research finds minimal gender variation in motor skills

Fine: able to tie shoes, use hands independently, etc

• Significant increase in myelin between ages 6-8

The goals of participation in sports and other physical activities should e to _______, ________, ________, and _______

Maintain physical fitness; learn physical skills; become comfortable with ones body; have fun in the process

Majors causes of accidents are _____, _____, _____, _____, _____

Increased mobility

• Rate of injury increases between ages 5 and 14

Car accidents, fires, drowning, gun-related deaths

• Accidents are reduced by helmets and seatbelts

Visual impairment

Difficulties in see that includes blindness (2/200) or partial sightedness (20/70)

Signs: frequent eye irritation, blinking/facial contortions while reading, frequent headaches, dizziness, or burning eyes

Auditory impairments

Hearing loss in infancy will be much more severe than at age 3

Can result in linguistic struggles and difficulties in abstract thinking

Speech impairment

Speech that deviates so much from the speech of others that it calls attention to itself, interferes with communication, or produces maladjustment in the speaker

Childhood-onset fluency disorder (stuttering)

Substantial disruption in the rhythm and fluency of speech

The most common speech impairment

Specific learning disorders

Difficulties in the ability to learn or use specific academic skills such as reading, writing, or arithmetic

Specific learning disorders can be caused by

Brain dysfunction, genetic factors, poor early nutrition, allergies

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

A learning disorder marked by inattention, impulsiveness, a low tolerance for frustration, and a great deal of inappropriate activity

Around 9% of children aged 3-17

Common treatments are prescriptions and behavior therapy

Mainstreaming

An educational approach in which exceptional children are integrated as much as possible into the traditional educational system and are provided with a broad range of educational alternatives

Teachers must be given substantial support for it to be effective

Full inclusion

The integration of all students, even those with the most severe disabilities, into regular classes and all other aspects of school and community life