Physical Development
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Transcript Physical Development
Physical Development
Early Childhood
BODY GROWTH
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
General growth
curve
Rapid growth
during infancy
Slower middle
childhood
Rapid during
adolescence
Exceptions:
Reproductive and
lymph systems
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BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
The brain increases to 90 percent of adult weight
between 2 and 6 years.
The two hemispheres of the cortex develop at
different rates.
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
Slowed growth leads to an appetite
decrease
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
Accidents are the leading cause of childhood
mortality.
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
Gross Motor Development
Center of gravity shifts downward to the trunk,
and balance improves.
Preschooler's gait becomes smooth and
rhythmic.
Now steadier
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
Self-Help Skills
Gradually become self-sufficient
at dressing and feeding
Shoe-tying around age 6
Drawing and Writing
First drawings of a person by
age 3 or 4
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Cultural Variations in Drawing
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
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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