Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Infants, Children and Adolescents Laura E. Berk 6th edition Chapter 8 Physical Development in Early Childhood This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part of any images; Any rental, lease, or lending of the program.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Physical Development in Early Childhood Body Growth Slows –Shape becomes more streamlined Skeletal Growth Continues –New growth centers –Lose baby teeth Asynchronies –Brain, lymph nodes grow fastest

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Tooth Decay Care of primary teeth is essential. 40% of North American 5-year-olds have at least some affected teeth. Cavities advance rapidly among poverty-stricken preschoolers, affecting an average of 2.5 teeth a year. Poor diet and inadequate health care (factors more likely to affect low-SES children) directly impact cavity occurrence. Young children in homes with smokers are three times more likely to have decayed teeth.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Asynchronies in Physical Growth

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Age-Related Changes in Synaptic Density of Three Areas of the Cerebral Cortex Involved in Language Processing

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Brain Development in Early Childhood Frontal lobe areas for planning and organization develop Left hemisphere active –Language skills –Handedness Differences in rate of development between the two hemispheres suggest they are continuing to lateralize during early childhood. of development between the two hemispheres suggest they are continuing to lateralize during early childhood.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Handedness Begins as early as 1 year and strengthens 90% are right-handed Affected by Experience –Position in uterus –Practice Early damage to left hemisphere may cause shift in handedness –However, most left-handers have no developmental problems and more likely to excel in both verbal and math skills

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Cross Section of the Human Brain

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Low-Level Lead Exposure and Children’s Development Lead is a highly toxic element. In neighborhoods near industries that use lead production processes, or where lead paint remains in older homes, children’s blood levels are markedly elevated. Elevated blood levels of lead are linked with lower IQs and behavior problems. Persistent childhood exposure can also contribute to antisocial behavior in adolescence.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Low-Level Lead Exposure and Children’s Development Relationship of lifetime average lead exposure to 11-to13-year-old IQ by SES.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Influences on Physical Growth and Health Heredity and Hormones –Growth hormone –Thyroid-stimulating hormone Emotional Well-Being –Psychosocial dwarfism SleepNutrition Infectious Disease –Immunization Childhood Injuries

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Helping Young Children Sleep Regular bedtime –Early enough for hours of sleep Special pajamas No TV or computer games before bed Bedtime ritual Respond firmly but gently to bedtime resistance No sleeping medication

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Nutrition in Early Childhood Appetite becomes unpredictable Like familiar foods Social environment influences food choices –Imitate admired people –Repeated exposure to foods –Emotional climate, parental pressure –Poverty

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Nutrition in Early Childhood Children who have a nutritionally deficit diet have more attention difficulties, poorer mental test scores and behavior problems, especially hyperactivity and aggression.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Infectious Diseases in Childhood Poor diet suppresses children's immune systems and makes them more susceptible to disease. Childhood diseases have declined dramatically over the past half-century largely because of widespread immunization of infants and young children. About 20% of American infants and toddlers are not fully immunized.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Child Health Care in the U.S. The U.S. has a long way to go to ensure that all of its children receive excellent health care. One-third of children under five in the U.S. are in less than good health because their families have no health insurance and limited access to care. In other industrialized nations, free medical examinations are standard.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Factors Related to Childhood Injuries Individual Differences –Gender—boys are 1.5 times more likely to be injured than girls, and their injuries are more severe. –Mothers judge the chances of preventing injury in sons to be lower—a belief that might keep them from exercising proper controls. –Temperament Poverty, low parental education More children in the home Societal conditions –International differences

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Childhood Deaths From Injury Around the World

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Preventing Childhood Injuries Laws prevent many injuries Many parents and children still behave in ways that compromise safety: –Safety seats—40% of North Americans don’t place their children in child safety seats and of those that do, 82% either install them or use them incorrectly. –Parents expect small children to recall safety rules, rather than monitoring and controlling access to hazards.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Motor Skill Development in Early Childhood Gross Motor Skills –Walking, running –Catching, throwing, swinging, riding Fine Motor Skills –Self-help: dressing, eating –Drawing

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Changes in Gross and Fine Motor Skills During Early Childhood

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Progression of Drawing Skills Scribbles: during 2nd year First Representational Forms –Label already-made drawings: around age 3 –Draw boundaries and people: 3–4 years More Realistic Drawings: preschool to school age Early Printing: Ages 4–6

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Development of Children’s Drawing

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Development of Printing in Early Childhood Up to Age 3 Scribbles Varied pencil grips Around Age 4 “Drawing print” Between Ages 4 and 6 Gradually realize writing stands for language, identify individual letters Adult pencil grip by age 5

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Variations in 3-Year-Olds’ Pencil Grip

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Individual Differences in Motor Skills Body Build –Taller, longer limbed better at running and jumping Sex –Boys: better at power and force –Girls: fine motor skills, balance, foot movement

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008 Enhancing Early Childhood Motor Development Mastered through everyday play –Formal lessons have little impact Daily routines support fine motor development Provide appropriate play space and equipment Promote fun and positive attitude