Manis2e_CH07_PPT_

Chapter 7: Physical Development and Health in Early Childhood

Learning Objectives

• Growth Rates

  • Identify factors influencing individual growth rate differences.

• Brain Growth

  • Recognize prominent aspects of brain growth during early childhood.

• Executive Functions

  • Describe how advancements in brain functioning contribute to development.

• Gross Motor Skills

  • Explain improvements in gross motor skills during early childhood.

• Fine Motor Skills

  • Describe the development of drawing and writing skills.

• Handedness Development

  • Explain handedness development in children under 5 years old.

• Sleep Disturbances

  • Identify factors associated with sleep disturbances in early childhood.

• Food Preferences

  • Explain factors influencing developing food preferences in children.

• Common Illnesses

  • Identify common illnesses affecting young children and preventative measures.

• Injury Risks

  • Discuss minimizing risks from common sources of injuries in young children.

• Environmental Hazards

  • Describe two environmental hazards impacting young children.

• Child Maltreatment

  • Discuss risk factors for child maltreatment and strategies for prevention.

Growth of the Body and Brain

• Growth Rates

  • Brain grows most rapidly between ages 2 and 5.

  • Average increases: 2-3 inches in height and 5 pounds in weight per year.

  • Loss of baby fat leading to a taller, slimmer physique.

  • Girls mature faster than boys.

• Brain Development

  • By age 2, the brain reaches approximately 80% of adult volume; an additional 10% by age 6.

  • Key processes include synaptogenesis, pruning, and myelination, especially in language areas and prefrontal cortex.

• Executive Functions

  • Defined as strategies for goal attainment, decision making, and problem solving.

• Prefrontal Cortex

  • Houses the most evolutionarily recent brain areas, critical for executive functions.

• Processes of Executive Functions

  • Includes working memory, inhibition of responses, and shifting between mental tasks.

Motor Development

• Gross Motor Skills

  • Development influenced by physical growth, muscular strength, brain development, coordination, motivation, and practice.

  • Fundamental skills: running, hopping, climbing.

  • Developmental milestones by age:

    • 2-3 years: Runs, leaps, throws minimally.

    • 3-4 years: Jumps, gallops, hones basic skills.

    • 4-5 years: Develops mature walking, begins jumping and sliding.

    • 5-6 years: Performs running, jumping, and incorporates upper body in throwing.

• Fine Motor Skills

  • Develop through activities like writing and drawing, beginning as early as 18 months.

  • Milestones:

    • 2-3 years: Scribbles; builds with blocks.

    • 3-4 years: Draws simple forms; ties shoes.

    • 4-5 years: Prints letters; draws personal figures.

Development of Handedness

• Hand Preference

  • In North America, 88% are right-handed, 12% are left-handed.

  • Research indicates handedness is polygenic and influenced by environmental factors.

Children’s Health and Safety

• Sleep Disturbances

  • Sleep patterns change; toddlers (1-2 years) average 12-14 hours, while children 3-5 years sleep less.

  • Common disturbances arise from developmental changes.

• Nutrition

  • Children's preferences shift towards sugary and fatty foods after age 2.

  • Obesity rates among children ages 2-5 were approximately 13.9% in 2015–2016.

• Health Recommendations

  • Regular checkups, immunizations, and dental health promotion are crucial.

  • Typical children experience about 7-10 colds annually.

• Injuries

  • Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of injuries and death under 5 years.

  • Children under 5 face double the fatal injury risk compared to older children.

• Environmental Hazards

  • Vulnerability to secondhand smoke linked to respiratory infections and conditions.

  • Exposure to lead linked to serious cognitive and emotional development issues.

Child Maltreatment and Neglect

• Definition and Statistics

  • Maltreatment includes physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect causing severe harm.

  • Most common among African American and multiracial children.

• Categories of Maltreatment

  • Main categories include: neglect (75.3%), physical abuse (17.2%), sexual abuse (8.4%), and psychological maltreatment (6.2%).

• Risk Factors

  • Includes poverty, single parenthood, and lack of social support.

• Developmental Cascade

  • Maltreatment effects can lead to negative outcomes at later developmental stages.

• Consequences of Maltreatment

  • Increases cortisol levels can disrupt early brain development; resulting in deficits in language and IQ.

• Prevention Strategies

  • Focus on minimizing stress in at-risk families and improving mother-child attachment.

  • Interventions include enhancing parenting skills and providing community support.