Understanding Children - Beaver Dam Elementary
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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.