Middle Childhood Development

Middle Childhood

• Lasts from 6 years to the onset of pubertal changes, with varying end points between sexes and individuals
• Also known as the latent period, characterized by stable somatic growth rates, physiological processes, and behaviors
• Children's appetite improves, and they make more choices in food consumption, with increased food consumption as they age
• Physical activity becomes more skillful

Physical Growth

• Growth in both weight and height is relatively slow between 6 years and the onset of adolescent spurt
• Median height of boys increases from 116.1 cm to 137.5 cm (gain of 21.4 cm) with an annual increment of 5.2 to 5.8 cm between 6 and 10 years
• Median height of girls increases from 114.4 cm to 138.3 cm (gain of 23.7 cm) with an annual increment of 5.8 to 6.5 cm between 6 and 10 years
• Median weight of boys increases from 20.7 kg to 31.4 kg (gain of 10.7 kg) with an annual increment of 2.2 kg to 3.9 kg between 6 and 10 years
• Median weight of girls increases from 19.5 kg to 32.6 kg (gain of 13.1 kg) with an annual increment of 3.9 kg to 4.4 kg between 6 and 10 years
• Girls have a higher weight gain due to wider skin fold measurements
• Racial differences exist in weight, skin fold thickness, and body composition

Dental Development and Caries Formation

• Eruption of permanent dentition begins at about 6 years
• Four to six mandibular teeth will have erupted by 10 years
• Calcification of teeth continues after eruption
• Three factors responsible for caries formation: susceptible teeth, oral bacteria, and food eaten
• Bacteria in plaque ferment carbohydrates, forming organic acids that act on enamel, exposing tooth to decay
• Adequate nutrition during tooth formation is essential for tooth structure integrity
• Vitamins D, A, and ascorbic acid play crucial roles in tooth formation and decay prevention
• Fluorine increases tooth resistance to decay, while sucrose consumption can increase caries prevalence

Learn about the period of middle childhood, starting from 6 years, its characteristics, and the changes that occur during this stage. Understand the significance of this period in a child's growth and development.