Physical Development and Health in Early Childhood Chapter 9

Aspects of Physiological Development Bodily Growth and Change In early childhood (3 to 6 years), children slim down and shoot up Muscular and skeletal growth makes children stronger Growth changes promote development of a wide range of motor skills

Aspects of Physiological Development Nutrition: Preventing Overweight Overweight increase is greatest among children in low-income families Preschoolers need fewer calories in proportion to their weight, but eating patterns become more environmentally influenced as they age Young people of all ages eat too much fat and sugar and too few servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products. What's Your View? Much television advertising aimed at young children fosters poor nutrition by promoting fats and sugars rather than proteins and vitamins. How might parents counteract these pressures? What do you think accounts for the rising prevalence of obesity in preschoolers? What suggestions can you make for preventing it?

Aspects of Physiological Development Nutrition: Preventing Overweight What children eat is as important as how much they eat Prevention of overweight is critical, as long-term treatment success for obesity is limited Overweight children tend to be overweight adults Young people of all ages eat too much fat and sugar and too few servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products. What's Your View? Much television advertising aimed at young children fosters poor nutrition by promoting fats and sugars rather than proteins and vitamins. How might parents counteract these pressures? What do you think accounts for the rising prevalence of obesity in preschoolers? What suggestions can you make for preventing it?

Aspects of Physiological Development Sleep Patterns and Problems Walking and talking during sleep are fairly common in early childhood Occasional nightmares: not cause for alarm Sleep (or night) terror: awakens in a state of panic About 20 to 30 percent of children in their first 4 years engage in bedtime struggles lasting more than an hour and wake their parents frequently at night.

Aspects of Physiological Development Sleep Patterns and Problems Enuresis (bed-wetting) is repeated urination, especially at night Enuresis runs in families; tends to be more concordant in identical twins than fraternal twins Usually, enuresis is common, not serious, and has effective treatments available About 20 to 30 percent of children in their first 4 years engage in bedtime struggles lasting more than an hour and wake their parents frequently at night.

Motor Development Motor Skills Gross motor skills involve the large muscles Fine motor skills--manipulative eye-hand and small-muscle coordination in skills Video

Motor Skill Development in Early Childhood Gross Motor Skills Walking, running smoother Catching, throwing, swinging, riding Fine Motor Skills Self-help: dressing, eating Drawing

Motor Development Artistic Development Children's early pictures show energy and freedom; later, they show care and accuracy Since the left hemisphere of the brain, which controls the right side of the body, is usually dominant, most people favor their right side.

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 3–5

Development of Children’s Drawing

Motor Development Handedness: Preference for using a particular hand Usually evident by 3 years of age Is handedness genetic or learned? Left-handed incidence is culturally influenced Since the left hemisphere of the brain, which controls the right side of the body, is usually dominant, most people favor their right side.

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect Maltreatment: Facts and Figures Highest rates are for children 3 and under American Indian, Alaska Native, and African American children have the highest rates Physical aggression occurs at least 1-2x a year in nearly 9 out of 10 households

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect Contributing Factors: An Ecological View Maltreatment by parents is aggravated by other family problems A disproportionate number of abused and neglected children are in large, poor, or single-parent families Characteristics of abusive parents and families

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect Contributing Factors: An Ecological View Characteristics of neglectful parents and families Abuse and neglect often happen in the same household Two cultural values associated with child abuse are societal violence and physical punishment of children

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect Effects of Maltreatment Effects include physical, emotional, cognitive, and social consequences Behavior problems in school Often have disorganized-disoriented attachments to their parents and negative, distorted self-concepts Fearfulness and low self-esteem often continue into adulthood. Adults who were sexually abused as children tend to be anxious, depressed, angry, or hostile; to mistrust people; to feel isolated and stigmatized; to be sexually maladjusted; and to use alcohol and drugs.

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect Effects of Maltreatment Deprived of early positive social interactions interfere with social skill development Abused children are at higher risk of becoming delinquent, criminal, or mentally ill Fearfulness and low self-esteem often continue into adulthood. Adults who were sexually abused as children tend to be anxious, depressed, angry, or hostile; to mistrust people; to feel isolated and stigmatized; to be sexually maladjusted; and to use alcohol and drugs.

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect Helping Families in Trouble or at Risk Since maltreatment is a multifactorial problem, it needs many-pronged solutions Many services exist for abused children and their parents Child removal and alternative placement care has negative effects The plight of abused and neglected children is one for which society needs to find more effective remedies. Without help, maltreated children often grow up with serious problems, at great cost to themselves and to society, and may continue the cycle of maltreatment when they have children of their own.

Maltreatment: Abuse and Neglect Helping Families in Trouble or at Risk The plight of abused and neglected children needs more effective remedies State and local child protective services agencies investigate reports of child maltreatment and determine what steps, if any, need to be taken The plight of abused and neglected children is one for which society needs to find more effective remedies. Without help, maltreated children often grow up with serious problems, at great cost to themselves and to society, and may continue the cycle of maltreatment when they have children of their own.