Childhood Development: Preschool, School-Age & Adolescence PDF

CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PRESCHOOL, SCHOOLAGE & ADOLESCENCE OBJECTIVES 1. Describe the normal growth & development of preschool through to adolescence, including physical, cognitive and psychosocial health 2. Discuss risks to health, health concerns, health promotion and maintenance from presch...

CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PRESCHOOL, SCHOOLAGE & ADOLESCENCE OBJECTIVES 1. Describe the normal growth & development of preschool through to adolescence, including physical, cognitive and psychosocial health 2. Discuss risks to health, health concerns, health promotion and maintenance from preschool to adolescent children 3. Identify appropriate health teaching around safety concerns for parents of children from preschool through to adolescence PRESCHOOL – PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Usually doubles the 1-year weight by 5 Slowed growth overall Visual acuity improves, and all primary teeth have erupted Have good muscle control, and participate in vigorous play By the end of the pre-school period, they are able to: Ride a tricycle with speed & dexterity Following rules Will start to lose deciduous teeth Can jump 3-4 steps at once Can jump with both feet Can use a hammer to pound nails PRESCHOOL – COGNITIVE/SOCIAL/LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT COGNITIVE Understands time in relation to concrete activities Knows own name & address, days of the week, own sex Ultimately has an attention span of 30 minutes Thinks logically Categorizes behaviours as “right” and “wrong” Begins to understand concept of past/present/future It is common to have imaginary friends PRESCHOOL EMOTION/LANGUAGE Have a desire to please parents May have temper tantrums (cannot communicate) & mood swings Begin to have an awareness of the outside world, and are less egocentric Vocabulary expands to 2000 words by the age of 5 Can name colours, and use six-to-eight word sentences, with appropriate pronouns PRESCHOOL SAFETY/HEALTH THREATS Accidents remain a major threat Falls Automobile safety Bicycle safety Burns Poisoning Stranger Danger SCHOOLAGE – PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Growth is slow until the spurt immediately before puberty (approx. 5-7 lb/year) The brain will reach adult size; myelinization is complete by age 7 Loss of primary teeth begins at age 6; Permanent teeth are present by 12 Improved muscle coordination (fine & gross motor) Growth tends to occur in spurts; caloric needs increase during growth spurt Bones continue to ossify, and skeletal growth is sometimes more rapid than the muscles & ligaments Hormones of puberty begin to influence physical growth Appetite fluctuates r/t uneven growth pattern Breakfast is often neglected SCHOOLAGE - COGNITIVE Masters concrete operations – thinks logically and concretely Moves away from egocentrism; learns he/she is not always right Learns & applies grammar; expresses emotion and thoughts Vocabulary expands to 3000 words or more Handles complex sentences SCHOOLAGE - EMOTIONAL/SOCIAL Wants to do & make things Competitive; wants to be like friends Concerned re: body mutilation/alterations in body image May express nervous habits Plays in groups, mostly of same gender (beginning @ approx. age 8) Enjoy games/activities of all types SCHOOLAGE – SAFETY/HEALTH Progressive sex education is required Traffic & car safety remain important Monitor friends/influences Bike safety must be taught & enforced Parents must teach & set examples about harmful substances (drugs, alcohol, smoking) Water safety & supervision while swimming remain important ADOLESCENCE – PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT MALE Puberty begins between 10-13 years of age Shoulders widen, muscles enlarge, voice deepens Hair begins to grow on the face, chest, axillae & pubic areas Development/growth of the pubic organs occurs Self-exam of testes should be taught Final growth spurt usually occurs by 18 years of age ADOLESCENCE – PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT FEMALES Puberty changes occur an average 6 months – 2 years before males Most will experience a growth spurt at this time Secondary sex characteristics become more apparent before the first menstrual period Fat deposited in the hips, thighs & breasts External genitalia develop, and hair grows in the pubic area Cultural & religious practices contribute to attitudes/adjustment Education regarding puberty & development should be provided prior to the adolescent experiencing these ADOLESCENCE – COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT Early in adolescence, concrete thinking occurs Abstract thinking starts in middle adolescence, and they tend to have daydreams, fantasies Will begin to use inductive and deductive reasoning By older adolescence, they are able to see a situation from many viewpoints and can imagine unseen/unexplored possibilities They tend to be quite idealistic ADOLESCENCE – PSYCHOSOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT An adolescent wants to be a “person” in his/her own right; self-concept fluctuates during this time Parents, peers, teachers & others help to mold self-concept An important task is to develop an identity and establish self-esteem Intimate relationships contribute to the development of self-identity Close relationships help teens feel a sense of belonging – a sense of involvement Peer groups are important, and serve as a mirror for “normality” Family needs to be supported in their interactions with this age group; adults should attempt to create an atmosphere of interest, understanding & respect ADOLESCENCE – HEALTH & SAFETY Nutrition increased caloric & protein requirements; frequent meals; special diets Skipped meals, more snacks, eating out more often Personal Care Hygiene-more frequent bathing, deodorant, personal hygiene products Car safety Chief hazard to the adolescent is car safety and risky driving Sports injuries Feelings of strength & “need to show off” can increase risk of injury Medical clearance for sports activities is recommended ADOLESCENTS Smoking/vaping/drug use Tobacco use has decreased, but the use of electronic cigarettes has increased by 150% Drugs are often widely available to adolescents Sexual health Adolescent pregnancy; education aimed at prevention, and support Sexual education – adolescents require accurate & helpful sources of information. Focus on STI’s, as well information regarding the factual and emotional components Teaching children re: what to expect and why these changes occur, prior to puberty  STATEMENT ON RISKY PLAY CANADIAN PEDIATRICS SOCIETY What is “Risky Play” and why is it important in childhood development? “Risky play is defined by thrilling and exciting forms of free play that involve uncertainty of outcome and a possibility of physical injury” Must account for context of child’s unique developmental stage, ability, social skills and medical needs. Research shows risky play is an important way to help prevent and manage common health problems such as obesity, anxiety, and behavioural issues. See Position Statement: https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/outdoor-risky-play (Reference: Canadian Pediatrics Society, 2024)