Childhood Growth and Development: School-Age (Unit 14)

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms and definitions from Nursing 1040 Unit 14 on school-age growth and development, hospitalization effects, physiologic changes, common issues, nutrition, safety, health maintenance, and discipline.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson’s psychosocial stage (6-12 yrs) in which children build confidence through task mastery, competition, and tangible achievement; failure yields low self-worth.

Conventional Level

Kohlberg’s moral stage where school-age children base right and wrong on rules and the expectations of family or society.

Moral Reciprocity

Concept at the end of Kohlberg’s conventional level in which children consider fairness for others and follow the Golden Rule.

"Good-Kid" Orientation (Stage 3)

Phase (≈7-10 yrs) when children behave to gain approval and avoid guilt; rules are important and must be obeyed.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget’s stage (7-11 yrs) where logical thinking is applied to tangible objects; includes conservation, reversibility, and improved classification.

Conservation

Understanding that a change in shape does not change amount (e.g., water volume).

Reversibility

Awareness that actions can be undone (addition ↔ subtraction).

Causation

Ability to grasp cause-and-effect relationships between events.

Classification

Skill of grouping objects hierarchically and ordering them (e.g., big to small) by attending to class and subclass.

School-Age Growth Rate

Weight ↑ 5-6 lb/yr; height ↑ 2-3 in/yr; ends with pre-pubertal growth spurt (girls ~2 yrs before boys).

Growing Pains

Musculoskeletal aches due to stretching ligaments and rapid limb growth in school-age children.

Epiphysis

Growth plate of long bones converting from cartilage to bone during this stage.

Scoliosis Screening

Routinely performed in 6th grade to detect lateral spinal curvature.

FLACC Scale

Behavioral pain assessment tool for ages 2 mo-18 yrs using Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability scoring.

Wong-Baker FACES

Pediatric pain scale (ages 3-18) where children select a face matching their pain intensity.

Self-Report 0-10 Pain Scale

Numeric scale reliable for children ≥8 yrs to describe their own pain level.

Maslow’s Hierarchy

Framework illustrating why unmet physiologic needs hinder hospitalized children’s ability to focus on learning.

Fine Motor Skills

Abilities such as printing, tying shoelaces, and playing instruments that gain accuracy and smoothness.

Gross Motor Skills

Improved running, jumping, throwing, cycling, coordination, and gender-related strength differences.

Visual Acuity

Usually reaches 20/20 by age 6-7; depth perception and peripheral vision enhance hand-eye coordination.

Language Expansion

Rapid vocabulary growth, improved grammar, and increased use of slang influenced by peers.

Peer Influence

Growing impact of same-gender friends on choices of activities, clothes, and food around age 8.

Team Play

Cooperative group activities requiring rule following; fosters belonging but may challenge children unprepared for losing.

Sedentary Play

Low-activity pastimes such as board games, crafts, and collections common in this age group.

School Refusal

Phobia-based avoidance of school manifested by somatic complaints; managed with CBT, relaxation, and routine.

Latchkey Child

School-age child who returns to an empty home without adult supervision part of the day.

Cyberbullying

Harassment using electronic technology that can occur 24/7 and reach wide audiences.

SafeUT App

Utah crisis and suicide-prevention application offering confidential chat with counselors for youth 10-18.

Booster Seat

Belt-positioning car restraint used after forward-facing seat until vehicle seat belt fits properly; back seat recommended <13 yrs.

Obesity (Pediatric)

Affects ~20 % of children; linked to poor diet, inactivity, genetics, and psychosocial factors; increases risk for diabetes, CVD, and low self-esteem.

Daily Caloric Needs

Approx. 1400-2200 kcal/day for adequate school-age growth depending on age, sex, and activity.

Breakfast Importance

Essential meal that improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity; should not be skipped.

Natural Consequences

Discipline tactic letting children experience outcomes directly resulting from their actions.

Logical Consequences

Discipline in which consequences are logically related to misbehavior and chosen with child input.

Positive Rewards

Reinforcements that encourage desired behaviors without resorting to physical punishment.

Tdap

Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis booster recommended at 11-12 yrs.

HPV Vaccine

Immunization against human papillomavirus given between ages 9-12.

Meningococcal Vaccine (MCV)

Recommended at 11-12 yrs to prevent meningococcal disease.

Dental Transition

Loss of primary teeth and eruption of permanent teeth beginning around 6-7 yrs.

Sleep Needs (6 yrs)

Approximately 12 hours per night; decreases to ~10 hours by age 11.

Nightmares

Vivid dreams that decrease as children distinguish fantasy from reality with age.

Upper Respiratory Infection

Common illness in school-age children due to high exposure and large tonsils/adenoids.

Media Overuse Risks

Stress, obesity, depression, poor social interaction, and aggression linked to excessive screen time.

Cyber-Safety

Guidance to avoid sharing personal information, use passwords wisely, and limit risky online interactions.

Substance Abuse Risk Factors

Peer pressure, low self-esteem, easy access, escape motives, and modeled use at home.

Ownership Concept (6-8 yrs)

Limited understanding that can lead to stealing or lying to gain status or possessions.

Sex Education

Age-appropriate teaching covering anatomy, menstruation, respect, consent, and HIV/AIDS transmission.

SOGI Assessment

Routine questioning of gender identity (≥3 yrs) and sexual orientation (≥10 yrs) to improve inclusive care.

Fire Safety Plan

Home strategy including escape routes and flame-resistant or snug-fitting sleepwear for children.

Hospital Bed Safety

Keep bed low with side rails up, clear equipment, lock meds, and use restraints only when necessary.

Immunization: Influenza

Annual vaccine recommended for all school-age children.