World of Children 1st ed Chapter 10 Physical Development in Middle Childhood This multimedia product and its content 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

Middle Childhood Ages 7-11 bodies grow more slowly physical skills increase in control and coordination.

Physical Growth The average 7 yr old is 49 inches tall and weighs 55 lbs The average 11 yr old is 58 inches tall and weighs 80 lbs The average 9 yr old girl is the same size as the average 9 yr old boy but by age 11, girls are1 ½ inches taller and 8 lbs heavier. Boys will be taller and heavier by age 14.

Overweight Children BMI: an indicator of body fat based on weight and height. A child w/ BMI at or higher than 95% of all other children in the US of the same age/sex is considered to be overweight.

Overweight Children Most frequent nutritional problem is being overweight aka obesity in adults! Overweight: having body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for child’s age and sex Children w/ BMI between 85th-95th percentiles are considered at risk of overweight.

Statistics 6-11 year olds 26 % of Mexican American boys 23 % of African American girls are Overweight

What are some of the reasons that children are overweight? Question What are some of the reasons that children are overweight?

Reasons for being overweight More fast food/processed foods in diets Less physical activity Poor role models (2/3 of adults are overweight) Genetics (high birth weight), mom has diabetes, other family members who are overweight Children living below the poverty line Parent attitudes

Overweight Children (National Center for Health Statistics, 2005.)

Overweight Children Being overweight is a risk factor for: heart disease, diabetes, asthma, depression, low self esteem, sleep apnea 40% of overweight 4 yr olds will become obese adults 80% of overweight adolescents continue to be obese as adults

Discuss in groups What are some ways we can help children combat their weight problems?

Tips to Combating Overweight Issues 1. Offer nutritious meals and snacks such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, whole grains. 2. Set appropriate limits on children’s food limits. Help children monitor their choices. 3. Limit T.V. and video games to 2 hours a day. 4. Encourage more physical activity. 5. Be a good role model for your children.

Brain Growth and Development Brain goes through 2 phases of growth and maturation synaptogenesis: overproduction of neurons and synapses Synaptic pruning: cutting of less useful circuits to keep the ones that are more efficient.

Brain Growth and Development By age 6, child’s brain is 90% of its adult size Up to age 10, cerebral cortex still growing (gray matter that forms the top portion of the brain) After age 10, brain shrinks in some areas – pruning takes place in occipital, parietal and temporal lobes – results in more efficiency in brain functions

Brain Growth and Development Pruning is an important part of the maturation process in the brain Areas in the brain that are pruned actually improve that specific area Occipital lobe (visual signals) Parietal & Temporal lobe ( language, thought process) 50% of circuits for fine motor movements

Gross Motor Fine Motor Improvements in: throwing catching kicking running Improvements in: writing drawing playing musical instruments video games

Motor Development Gross-motor and fine-motor skills become more controlled and coordinated during middle childhood. Overall strength improves Balance and flexibility increase Increasing coordination of skills – putting it all together

Boys Girls Stronger Increase in strength throughout adolescence at 10 flexibility decreases Strength evens out in early adolescence flexibility declines at age 12.

Physical activity and exercise Regular exercise has physical and emotional benefits, yet many children do not get enough, if they get any. Only 28% of schools require daily PE classes.

Why are children not getting enough exercise? Question Why are children not getting enough exercise?

increased time watching TV playing video games lack of opportunities lack of safe play space

Organized sports About 30 million children participate in some sport each year Benefits Physical strength balance coordination Social teamwork cooperation sportsmanship Emotional self esteem school success positive body image

Why don’t all children participate? Organized sports Why don’t all children participate?

cost transportation potential for injuries attitudes of coaches and parents

Childhood injuries 12 million children under age 12 seen in emergency rooms every year falls, cuts, bike accidents, dog bites Causes of accidental death in middle childhood car accidents, drowning, burns, bike accidents

Safety Tips

Child Sexual Abuse fondling, intercourse or other sex acts, exposing a child to sex acts, involving a child in pornography Overall rate has decreased since early 1990’s 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 9 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before age 18

Child Sexual Abuse occurs in all ethnic, geographic and economic groups more common in middle childhood and adolescence likely to be committed by someone child knows on average, continues for 4 years 50% of abusers are adolescents

Child Sexual Abuse Risk Factors unhealthy family environment marital disruption individual factors socially isolated children early developing gay and lesbian teens

Child Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse Effects vary depending on: when it began how often it happened how long it went on was physical force involved? was the abuser a close relative? what was mother’s reaction?

Child Sexual Abuse Continued abuse causes high levels of stress hormones, like cortisol, in brain. High levels of cortisol damage hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. Victims are more likely to overreact to fearful situations

Child Sexual Abuse Symptoms depression increased sexual behavior in all ages drug and alcohol abuse in teens PTSD issues with relationships and sexuality as adults

Children with exceptional needs… Children who require help beyond what is needed by peers 1 in 5 children suffer serious developmental, emotional or behavioral problem

Children with exceptional needs… Rarely identify the exact cause of any disorder in a particular child Almost every case there are multiple causes or conditions Most experts look at childhood problems from… developmental psychopathology perspective: emphasis is on variety of factors that can influence both normal and abnormal paths of development Factors are: genetics parental and familial interactions education quality peers other social and cultural elements

How to measure conditions Prevalence rate : how often a condition occurs No hard #s in prevalence rates WHY? Adults think that the child will “outgrow” the problem Comorbidity : having more than one disorder 40% of children w/ADHD have another disorder

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inability to sustain attention excessive activity low impulse control Signs emerge before age 7 and persist into adolescence and adulthood 4 to 6 % of children meet clinical definition 3 times more boys than girls

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Causes - research points to genetics problems in brain’s frontal lobes (which are responsible for attention, self-control) - has also been linked to lead exposure and alcohol/tobacco exposure before birth

Family conflict common when child has ADHD More marital conflict Higher separation/divorce rates Consume more alcohol Mother likely to be more depressed Significant difficulty in school ¼ expelled from school 35% are retained 1 grade level Up to 30% drop out of school

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Treatment stimulant medications – Ritalin, Cylert anti-depressants behavior management programs combination of above

Communication and Learning Disorders Communication disorders : children have difficulty in producing speech, using speech to communicate, or understanding others’ speech Learning disorders (disabilities) : children have difficulty with specific skills, like reading, math, or writing Children show average or above average intelligence in other areas

Communication and Learning Disorders

Communication and Learning Disorders Causes often undiagnosed strong genetic component - related to abnormalities in brain function Treatment children may outgrow some and learn to compensate for others educational support at school helps counseling and therapy help with self-esteem issues

Autism Spectrum Disorders a group of serious developmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication range of severity from mild (Asperger syndrome) to severe (autism)

Autism Spectrum Disorders Repetitive body motions Self stimulation (rocking bodies, flapping) Need daily routine Show exceptional skills (memory for music, speed in building puzzles) Echolalia: repeating words w/out understanding them.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders affect 1 to 6 out of every 1000 children in US 4 times more common in boys increased rates of identification, due to change in how ASD is diagnosed

Autism Spectrum Disorders Causes strong genetic component may be some environmental factors – not determined yet Treatment depends on severity focus on teaching various self help, social and language skills

Educating children with exceptional needs all children entitled to free and appropriate public school education – US PL 94-142 Individualized Education Plan (IEP) : required for all children who are identified as needing special services – outlines services needed and goals for instruction Law also requires that children be educated in “least restrictive environment”

Educating children with exceptional needs