Growth and Development of School-Age Child Lecture 8

Physical Growth

• The school-age period, typically between 6-12 years, represents a time of slow physical growth.
• Children's annual average weight gain is approximately 1.3-2.2 kg.
• The increase in height is 2.5-5 cm.
• By 10 years of age, brain growth is complete, leading to refined fine motor coordination.
• The eye globe reaches its final shape, achieving an adult vision level.
• The eruption of permanent teeth and growth of the jaw can lead to malocclusion with teeth malalignment.

Sexual Maturation

• Puberty begins in response to gonadotropine hormones during this period.
• Sexual maturation in girls occurs between 12-18 years, and in boys, between 14-20 years.
• Prepubertal girls are usually taller than preadolescent boys.

Developmental Milestones

• Gross Motor Development:
  • At 6 years, children are energetic and enjoy physical activities.
  • By 7 years, children become quieter and start to develop coordination.
  • At 8 years, children's movements become more graceful.
  • At 9 years, children are constantly active and show good eye-hand coordination.
  • At 10 years, children focus on refining their athletic skills.
• Fine Motor Development:
  • At 6 years, children can tie shoelaces, cut, and paste well.
  • At 7 years, children focus on fine motor skills and set high standards.
  • At 8 years, children's eyes are developed enough for reading regular-sized type.
  • At 9 years, children's writing becomes more mature.

Play

• At 6 years, play remains active, but children start to discover reading as an enjoyable activity.
• At 7 years, children require more props for imaginative play.
• At 8 years, children become more structured in their collections.
• At 9 years, children play vigorously and may have difficulty adhering to bedtime.

Language Development

• At 6 years, children talk in full sentences, using language easily and with meaning.
• At 7 years, children can tell the time in hours, but may have trouble with concepts like "half past" and "quarter to".
• At 9 years, children discover "dirty" jokes and may use swear words to express anger or show maturity.

Emotional Development

• Children enter the school-age period with a sense of trust and respect for their own worth.
• They can accomplish small tasks independently due to a sense of autonomy and initiative.

Cognitive Development

• Children undergo a transition from preoperational thought to concrete operational thought.
• Cognitive developments include:
  • Decentering: the ability to project one's self into other people's situations.
  • Accommodation: the ability to adapt thought processes to fit what is perceived.
  • Conservation: the ability to appreciate that a change in shape does not necessarily mean a change in size.
  • Class inclusion: the ability to understand that objects can belong to more than one classification.

Moral and Spiritual Development

• School-age children begin to mature in terms of moral development.
• During this stage, children may interpret something as being right because it is good for them, not because it is right for humanity as a whole.

Health Promotion for a School-Age Child and Family

• Establishing Healthy Eating Patterns:
  • Encouraging healthy eating patterns, including having a nutritious breakfast and preparing balanced lunches.
  • Teaching children strategies to avoid sexual maltreatment.
• Fostering Industry and Nutrition:
  • Involving children in meal planning and preparation.
  • Fostering industry and helping children develop proper etiquette.

Common Health Problems of the School-Age Period

• Minor issues like head lice or ringworm.

• Unintentional injury and cancer are the two leading causes of death.

• Minor illnesses include dental caries, gastrointestinal disturbances, and upper respiratory infections.

• Learning difficulties like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are often identified during this period.### School-Age Challenges

• School refusal or phobia in children may stem from separation anxiety, bullying, or family dynamics, requiring counseling and gradual reintroduction to school.

Sex Education

• Educating school-age children about puberty, reproductive health, and responsible sexual practices is essential, with parents or healthcare providers serving as valuable resources.

Stealing

• Some children may experiment with stealing due to a lack of understanding of ownership, requiring parental guidance and counseling to address this behavior.

Violence or Terrorism

• Exposure to violence or terrorism can cause significant stress and anxiety in children, requiring parents to reassure them of their safety and establish a family disaster plan to increase feelings of security.

Bullying

• Bullying, whether in person or through social media, can have serious consequences for both victims and perpetrators, necessitating collaboration between school personnel and parents to address bullying behavior and provide support to affected children.

Recreational Drug Use

• Children as young as elementary school age may experiment with drugs and alcohol, requiring parents to be vigilant and provide education about the risks associated with substance abuse, with counseling possibly being necessary for children engaging in risky behaviors.

Tobacco Use

• Smoking and other forms of tobacco use may start during the school-age years, making it essential for parents and healthcare professionals to serve as role models for healthy behaviors and educate children about the dangers of tobacco use, including emerging risks associated with e-cigarettes and vaping.