LSEb Lesson 4: Early & Late Childhood

EARLY CHILDHOOD

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* the period of human development that extends from **2-6 years of age**
* physical and psychological changes that take place rapidly
* critical age in sex-role playing

Characteristics for Parents:

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* problem age or troublesome age
* toy age

Characteristics for educators

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* pre school age
* time of preparation

Characteristics for psychologists

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* pregang age
* exploratory age
* questioning age
* imitative age
* creative age

Developmental Tasks

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* All normal babies have learned to…
* Walk
* eat solid foods.
* (almost) control the elimination of body wastes
* reasonably have correct pronunciation of words that they use.
* Having some concepts of social and physical realities.
* Learning to relate emotionally to parents, siblings, and others.

Height

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* average annual increase of 3 inches
* by age 6, ave. height: 46.6 inches

Weight

average annual increase of 3-5 inches

Body Proportion

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* disappearance of “baby look” feature, more pronounced chin
* cone-shaped body with flattened abdomen, broader and flatter chest
* Shoulders are broader and more square
* Arms and Legs lengthen
* Hands and feet grow bigger

Body Build

* could be classified as:
* **Endomorphic** – flabby/fat (AT > MT)
* **Mesomorphic** – sturdy/muscular (MT > AT)


* **Ectomorphic** - thin (small muscles, < AT)

Bones

ossifying at different rates in different body parts

Muscles

becoming larger, stronger, and heavier…

Teeth

eruption of the last 4 baby teeth: the back molars during the 1st 4-6 months of early childhood

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* *NOTE:*
* *AT-Adipose Tissue*
* *MT-Muscular Tissue*

Physiological Habits

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* Providing special foods for young children is unnecessary.
* A decrease of ½ hour every year on a child’s sleep from their 12-hour routine
* Good bladder control at night
* Completion of bladder control occurs on the time of the child’s readiness in school

Learning Skills (Reasons)

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* Willingness to repeat
* The child’s thirst for an adventure
* Young children learn easily and quickly

Skills at Early Childhood

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* The early childhood period is the ideal age to learn skills (teachable moment)
* Children from poor environments master skills earlier than those from favorable ones.
* Sex is a major factor in the different type of skills children learn
* Typical Skills of Early Childhood

Hand Skills

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* self-feeding, combing, self-bathing, throwing and catching ball, use of scissors, use of art materials

Leg Skills

jumping, bicycling, hopping, skipping, galloping, swimming, skating, dancing, use of jumprope

Speaking Skills

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* decrease in crying, use of gestures, and improvements in comprehension and speaking

Factors Influencing Speech

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* intelligence
* racial status
* family size
* discipline type
* bilingualism
* socio-economic status
* ordinal position
* sex-role typing

Physical Hazards

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* Mortality
* Illness
* Accidents
* Unattractiveness
* Awkwardness

Psychological Hazards

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* Speech
* Emotional
* Social
* Play
* Moral
* Personality

Achieving Happiness

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* Good Health
* Stimulating Environment
* Parental Acceptance/Understanding
* Disciplinary Policy
* Expressions of affection
* Realistic aspirations
* Encouragement of creativity in play
* Acceptance by family and peers
* Atmosphere of cheerfulness
* Achievements in activities

LATE CHILDHOOD

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* 6-12 years old (varies)
* Children are not willing to follow

#### Characteristics For Parents

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* Troublesome age
* Sloppy age
* Problem age

Characteristics for Educators

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* Elementary age
* Critical time for achievement drive

Characteristics for Psychologists

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* Gang age
* Play age
* Creative age

Social Characteristics

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* Leader
* Follower
* Social Isolate

Physical Hazards

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* Mortality
* Unattractiveness
* Inappropriate body build
* Illness
* Fat tissues develops more rapidly than muscle tissues

Mental Hazards

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* Awkwardness
* Bad influences
* Center of attention