Chapter 8 - Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood

who do kids spend the most time with during middle childhood?

their peers

main characteristics of middle childhood physical development

• slow and steady!!!

• have body proportions of an adult

• lose baby fat and teeth

• don’t need as many calories as infancy but obesity is common

obesity causes

• increase in fast food intake

• lack of physical activity

• stress/response to stress

• family influences

• healthy foods aren’t interesting/rewarding

middle childhood immune system

• immune system is weaker than in adolescence

• elementary school illnesses are common

• more sickness is a result of being in less direct contact w/ caregivers + more contact w/ peers

fine motor skills in middle childhood

• more developed

• kids practice writing, coloring, playing instruments, and typing

gross motor skills in middle childhood

• develop into games requiring balance, coordination, and strategy

• involves cognition + knowing how other people see the world

• ex: hide and seek, playground equipment, kickball

kids forced to give up ____ because…

• egocentrism

• they’re doing more things that require knowing what someone else is thinking (ex: understanding someone else’s feelings, hide and seek, etc)

concrete operational stage

• Piaget’s 3rd stage of development

• kids can think logically about real world events

• ages 7-12

• allows kids to tell time, do math, and follow rules

intelligence testing

• kids are constantly tested for their intelligence in elementary school to make sure they’re at the learning standard for their age

• attention-based disorders are the most commonly diagnosed intellectual conditions in the US