Transcript Physical Development

Physical Development
Early Childhood
BODY GROWTH
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2 to 3 inches (6-7cm) in height and about 5
pounds (2-3kg) in weight are added each
year.
Children become thinner.
Children lose primary teeth by preschool
years.
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Asynchronies in Physical Growth
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General growth
curve
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Rapid growth
during infancy
Slower middle
childhood
Rapid during
adolescence
Exceptions:
Reproductive and
lymph systems
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BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
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The brain increases to 90 percent of adult weight
between 2 and 6 years.
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The two hemispheres of the cortex develop at
different rates.
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Increase in synaptic connections
Increase in myelination
The left hemisphere shows dramatic activity between 3
and 6 years and then levels off. WHY?
Activity in the right hemisphere increases slowly
throughout early and middle childhood.
Significant development occurs in the prefrontal
cortex
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Nutrition
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Slowed growth leads to an appetite
decrease
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Picky eaters seen as adaptive,safe
Need a high-quality diet
By 7, low-SES about 1 inch shorter
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Childhood Injuries
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Accidents are the leading cause of childhood
mortality.
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Auto, fires, and drowning are the most common.
Motor vehicle collisions first cause of death for
children over 1
Injury Mortality
for Children
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MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
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Gross Motor Development
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Center of gravity shifts downward to the trunk,
and balance improves.
Preschooler's gait becomes smooth and
rhythmic.
Now steadier
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New skills like throwing and catching balls, tricycles,
and swinging on bars and rings
High level of activity
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Fine Motor Development
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Self-Help Skills
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Gradually become self-sufficient
at dressing and feeding
 Shoe-tying around age 6
Drawing and Writing
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First drawings of a person by
age 3 or 4
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Cultural Variations in Drawing
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In cultures that
emphasize art,
children's drawings
are more
sophisticated.
Schooling supports
drawing.
Figure drawing
varies by culture
but follows the
same sequence.
U.S. Child’s
Drawing
New Guinea Child’s
Drawing
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Printing
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Exposure to lines and shapes leads to trying to
print letters and, later on, words.
Not until reading do kids distinguish between
mirror-image forms.
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