Transcript Understanding Children - Beaver Dam Elementary

Understanding Children
From Birth to Age 2
Development
This refers to the change or growth that
occurs in a child.
During the first year after birth the child is
called an infant.
From the 1st year until their 3rd birthday,
the child is a toddler.
Preschoolers describe children age 3 to 6.
Areas of Development
Physical development refers to physical
body changes. (vision, hearing)
Gross motor involves improvement of
skills using large muscles. (running,
skipping)
Fine motor involves small muscles.
(cutting, drawing)
Areas of Development (cont.)
Cognitive also called intellectual refers to
mental processes used to gain knowledge.
(reasoning, imagination)
Social-emotional are interrelated. Social is
learning to relate to others. Emotional
involves the expression of feelings. (trust,
fear)
Characteristics of Development
Development tends to proceed from the
head downward- cephalocaudal principle.
According to this, the child 1st gains
control of the head, then arms, then legs.
Development also proceeds from the center
of the body outward- principle of
proximodistal development. The spinal
cord develops before outer body parts.
Characteristics of Dev. (cont.)
Another example- arms develop before
hands.
Maturation- refers to the sequence of
biological changes in a child. Children
must mature to a certain point before
learning new skills.
Each child develops at his or her own rate.
Physical Dev.- first 2 years
Growth is rapid.
Activities, schedules, etc. must be adapted
as children grow.
Much of the 1st year, is spent on
developing motor skills.
Size and Shape
An infant’s weight may change daily.
Average infant weight is 7 lbs., it doubles 5
months later, yearly ave. is 22 lbs.
Infant length ave. is 20 inches, grows 10 to
12 inches within 1st year, 2 to 6 inches
more by age 2.
Boys are slightly heavier and taller than
girls by age 2.
Reflexes
At birth, an infant’s abilities are limited to
reflexes- an automatic body response to a
stimulus. (blinking for ex.)
Reflexes are checked to assess brain and
nerve development.
Reflex Types
Rooting Reflex- They turn their head
toward anything that brushes their faces,
once an object is near their lips, they will
start to suck.
Moro Reflex- startle reflex, when a
newborn is startled by a noise or sudden
movement, fling out arms and legs, then
draw together and cry loudly.
Reflex Types (cont.)
 Palmar Grasp Reflex- When you put something
in the palm of their hand, they will grip it tightly.
(a rattle for ex.)
 Babinski Reflex- When stroking the sole of their
foot, toes will fan out, curl and the foot twists in.
 Stepping or walking reflex- when infant is held
with feet on flat surface, they will lift one foot
over another in stepping motion.
Motor Sequence
 Refers to the order in which the child is able to
perform new movements. Depends on brain and
nerve development.
 1st months- head and trunk control develop
 4 or 5 months- can roll over
 4 to 6 months- can sit upright
 Gradually they can pull themselves up, then
crawling begins shortly after the child can roll
onto the stomach.
Motor Sequence (cont.)
Crawl- child pulls with arms and wiggles
the stomach.
Creep- support weight on hands and knees
and goes forward.
Hitching- move arms and legs, slide
buttocks across the floor.
Seek help for kids way behind the norms.
Walking Sequence
Immature stage- upright position difficult
to maintain, rigid appearance, loss of
frequent balance, short steps taken, toes
turned outward, arms held above waist,
legs spread wide.
Mature stage- step length increases, legs
closer together, relaxed appearance, arms
held at side, balanced maintained.