Middle Childhood & Adolescence Development Review

Flashcards covering key developmental milestones, theories, and concepts related to middle childhood (6-10 years) and adolescence (11-24 years), including physical, cognitive, social-emotional, communication, and adaptive skills development, as well as influencing contexts.

What age range defines middle childhood?

Middle childhood is defined as ages 6-10 years, typically covering 1st-5th grades.

What significant physical changes occur in children between 6 and 11 years?

Children grow 2-3 inches per year, with limbs showing the greatest growth, and their center of gravity lowers, improving balance.

How does muscle strength and movement calibration change in middle childhood?

There is a dramatic increase in muscle strength, enabling precise calibration of movements and the ability to move and complete tasks simultaneously.

What types of gross motor skills mature during middle childhood?

Necessary trunk control and balance mature for occupations, bilateral coordination improves, and specialized skills like dance, gymnastics, and team sports develop.

What fine motor skill improvements are seen in middle childhood?

Increased dexterity and in-hand manipulation skills, improved bi-manual skills, and precise tool use and drawing.

By what age is hand dominance usually consistent, and what is its importance?

Hand dominance is usually consistent by 5 years old, and consistency is important for refined dexterity and specialization in school demands like writing.

What is figure-ground perception, and when does it mature?

Figure-ground is the ability to locate and focus on an object embedded in a distracting background, and it matures by 8 years.

What is body schema, and when is it established?

Body schema is the awareness of one's body parts and their relationship, and it is established by 6 years old.

According to Viktor Lowenfeld, what occurs during the 'preschematic stage' of drawing development?

The first conscious creation of form occurs around age three, with early representational attempts being a person (circle for head, vertical lines for legs), and symbols constantly changing as children search for new concepts.

What is the order of handwriting developmental progression from earliest forms to letters?

Controlled scribble, vertical line, horizontal line, circle, cross, right oblique (/), square, left oblique (), X, triangle, square, then upper case letters followed by lowercase letters, numerals, and words.

What cognitive stage, according to Piaget, characterizes middle childhood?

Middle childhood is characterized by the Concrete Operational stage, where children develop reversibility, rules, and more logical thought processes.

What is Erikson's psychosocial stage for middle childhood?

Erikson's psychosocial stage for middle childhood (ages 5-13) is 'Industry vs. Inferiority'.

How does friendship evolve in middle childhood?

Friendships evolve from sharing interests to sharing values, loyalty, and commitment; peers become a significant influence.

How much does vocabulary typically grow in middle childhood?

Vocabulary develops fourfold, eventually exceeding comprehension of 40,000 words, with children learning about 20 new words per day.

What is 'cognitive monitoring' and why is it important in middle childhood?

Cognitive monitoring is the ability to evaluate and regulate one's own cognitions, which is important for persisting in tasks and personal error detection.

What types of play are common during the 'Dramatic and Complex Constructive Play' stage (4-7 years) in Takata's Taxonomy?

This stage emphasizes cooperative play, purposeful use of materials for construction, and dramatization of reality, with materials like raw materials for fine motor actions and role-playing toys.

What types of play are common during the 'Play Including Games' stage (7-12 years) in Takata's Taxonomy?

This stage emphasizes enhancement of constructional and sports skills, rule-bound behaviors, competition, and cooperative play, using games with rules, raw materials for complex products, and sports.

At what age are children in the US typically given chores, and what benefits do chores provide?

In the US, children are rarely given chores until ages 8-9 years old; chores provide learning and self-satisfaction.

What age range defines adolescence?

Adolescence is defined as ages 12-24 years, covering middle school, high school, and college.

What key event marks the onset of adolescence?

Puberty, along with formal cultural or religious rites, marks the onset of adolescence.

What are the top three causes of death for adolescents aged 12-19?

Unintentional accidents (including drug overdose and car accidents), suicide, and homicide.

When do girls and boys typically experience the onset and peak of their growth during puberty?

Girls typically have onset at 8-13 years and a growth peak around 11 years; boys have onset at 11-12 years and a growth peak around 13 years.

What visual skill refers to the eyes' ability to change focus, such as looking between a board and a paper?

Accommodation refers to how well the eyes change to maintain focus.

How does cognitive development change in adolescence according to Piaget?

Adolescents develop logical thinking, symbolic thought, and hypothetical-deductive reasoning, which fosters interest in the future and enables independence in thought and action.

What is Erikson's psychosocial stage for adolescence (ages 13-21)?

Erikson's psychosocial stage for adolescence is 'Identity vs. Role Confusion'.

What characterizes early adolescence (middle school years)?

Early adolescence is characterized by preoccupation with self, self-evaluation of attractiveness, comparison with peers, interest/anxiety about sexual development, and challenging authority figures.

What characterizes middle adolescence (high school years)?

Middle adolescence involves achieving pubertal changes, developing acceptance of their bodies, shifting interest to appearance, moving towards independence from parents, peers becoming influential, and risk-taking behaviors.

What are some behavioral indicators of positive self-esteem in adolescents?

Expressing opinions, mixing with other teens, initiating friendly interactions, making eye contact, talking fluently, participating in group activities, and working collaboratively.

What are some common mental health disorders adolescents are vulnerable to?

Depression, anxiety disorders, substance use/abuse, and attention deficit disorders.

What kinds of IADLs become important for adolescents?

Education, chores, shopping, money management, health management, driving, work (part-time), and volunteering.

What are the common contexts and environments that influence child and adolescent development?

School/education, culture, peers, community, and family/home.

How does rule-bound behavior contribute to play during the 'Play Including Games' stage (7-12 years)?

Rule-bound behaviors introduce structure, foster an understanding of fair play, and are essential for competition and cooperative games during this stage.

What types of materials are typically used in the 'Dramatic and Complex Constructive Play' stage according to Takata's Taxonomy?

Materials like raw materials for fine motor actions and role-playing toys are commonly used to support cooperative play, constructive activities, and dramatization.

What is the primary developmental task for children in Erikson's 'Industry vs. Inferiority' stage?

The primary task is to achieve a sense of competence and mastery in skills and tasks, such as academics and social interactions, to avoid feelings of inadequacy.

What is the developmental challenge faced by adolescents in Erikson's 'Identity vs. Role Confusion' stage?

Adolescents must explore and integrate various roles and values to form a coherent sense of self, or they risk feeling uncertain about their place in the world.

What are the primary external contexts that profoundly influence child and adolescent development?

Development is significantly influenced by school/education, culture, peers, community, and family/home environments.