Questions and Answers
What is body growth during early childhood characterized by?
What is the average height and weight of a 5-year-old North American boy?
43 inches tall and weighs 42 pounds
Asian-Indian children are generally taller than North American children.
False
What is the typical adult height of the Efe people from the Republic of Congo?
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Between ages 2 and 6, approximately ___ new epiphyses emerge in various parts of the skeleton.
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At what average age do North American children typically get their first secondary (permanent) tooth?
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Brain growth between ages 2 to 6 accounts for an increase from 70% to 90% of its adult weight.
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What happens to neurons that are seldom stimulated?
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Which area of the brain undergoes reshaping and refining during rapid growth?
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Match the following hemispheres of the brain with their functions:
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Handedness shows no relation to the development of brain lateralization.
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Study Notes
Body Growth During Early Childhood
- Growth in body size peaks in the first two years, then slows down; averages 2-3 inches in height and 5 pounds in weight annually.
- Boys are generally larger than girls; growth in body fat declines as children become leaner.
- By age 5, children's body proportions resemble those of adults, with improved posture and balance.
Average North American Boy
- A typical 5-year-old North American boy measures 43 inches in height and weighs 42 pounds.
Cultural Growth Differences
- Children from Asian-Indian backgrounds tend to be smaller compared to their North American counterparts.
Efe of the Republic of Congo
- Efe adults are typically under 5 feet tall due to genetic factors and hormonal influences on growth.
- By age 5, Efe children are shorter than 97% of North American and European children, reaching puberty and ceasing growth earlier.
- Smaller size may help reduce caloric needs amid food scarcity and facilitate earlier childbearing due to high mortality rates.
Skeletal Growth
- Between ages 2 and 6, about 45 new epiphyses (growth centers) form in the skeleton as cartilage hardens into bone.
- X-rays can be used to estimate children's skeletal age and physical maturity.
Losing Teeth
- Girls lose primary teeth earlier than boys; cultural background influences timing.
- North American children usually receive their first permanent tooth around 6.5 years, while children in Ghana and Hong Kong get theirs around 6 years.
Brain Growth
- The brain grows from 70% to 90% of its adult weight between ages 2 and 6, enhancing physical coordination, memory, language, and logical thinking abilities.
Areas of the Brain During Rapid Growth
- The brain undergoes reshaping, particularly between ages 4-5, with certain regions producing nearly double the synapses of adults.
fMRI Evidence
- Energy metabolism in the cerebral cortex peaks around ages 4-5, indicating significant brain development.
Plasticity
- Overabundance of synaptic connections enhances brain plasticity, allowing children to acquire essential skills despite potential damage in some areas.
Synaptic Pruning
- Seldom-stimulated neurons lose their connections, reducing synapse numbers; by ages 8-10, energy consumption levels approach those of adults.
EEG, NIRS, and fMRI Findings
- Rapid growth is observed in prefrontal-cortical areas associated with executive functions, including impulse control, attention, and memory.
- Left hemisphere activity is high from ages 3-6, while right hemisphere activity increases steadily through childhood.
Left Hemisphere Functions
- Responsible for language skills and helps improve children's behavioral control.
Right Hemisphere Functions
- Develops spatial skills such as direction giving and shape recognition throughout childhood and adolescence.
Lateralization
- Refers to the specialization of brain functions between the left and right hemispheres.
Handedness
- Reflects the influence of both genetic and environmental factors on brain lateralization.
- Most fetuses show a preference for the right hand; by 6 months, infants exhibit more efficient reaching with the right arm.
Dominant Cerebral Hemisphere
- Handedness indicates the greater capacity of one brain hemisphere for skilled motor actions.
Handedness in Western Nations
- Displays patterns reflecting the interplay of nature and nurture in brain development and lateralization.
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Description
This quiz covers the key aspects of body growth during early childhood, focusing on the growth patterns, average height and weight changes, and differences between boys and girls. Learn how rapid growth transitions into a slower rate and how body composition changes in early childhood. Perfect for understanding developmental milestones in young children.
