- The growing body during Middle Childhood A. Physical Body
Slow, steady growth
Height and weight changes
Less rounded
Girls taller than boys on average (only time in lifespan)
11 – girls 4’10” boys 4’9” more muscular
variability; genetically determined but also environmental factors that will affect (SES, disease, nutrition)
- Nutrition
Better nutrition – more physically active, better cognitive performance, more socially engaged, happier, lower levels of anxiety (all correlational) Need fewer calories than during infancy
- Childhood Obesity
20% above average for person of given height and weight
1 in 8 kids are obese (3xs rate of the 1960s)
gallstones, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, coronary artery disease (CAD), a stroke, and sleep apnea, among other conditions
caused by mixture of genetic and social factors
Twin studies – compare identical/fraternal twins. Same environment, differing genetic similarity identical – 100% common DNA; correlations of 74% fraternal – 50% common DNA; correlations of 32% Adopted studies
adoptees more similar in weight to biological parents than adoptive parents parental behaviors
time management – turn to prepackaged foods more fat, sugar, salt fresh fruits/veggies are expensive exercise
schoolage children tend to engage in little exercise recess cancelled because of “no child left behind” over protective parents concern about safety strong correlation between TV and obesity passive replaces play
more snacking while watching TV more ads for food Treating obesity
maintain current weight will eventually stabilize relative to height
- Health During Middle Childhood
Generally good
Colds/respiratory infections – uncomfortable but boost immune system
Over 90% will experience at least 1 serious medical condition
Most illness is shortterm
Asthma
More than 7% under age 18 suffer
Chronic condition – attacks of wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath
Constriction of airways leading to lungs; terrifying
Triggers
Respiratory infections
Air pollution
Activity
Occurrence has almost doubled in last 10 years
Better diagnoses
Poverty – more likely to be exposed to triggers
Dust mites, roach feces, rodent feces
- Psychological Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Person cycles back and forth between unrealistically high mood/energy and depression
Many disorders have been neglected in kids
Some manifest differently in kids than adults
Childhood Depression 5% in preteens
can be treated with medications
developed for adults; confusion over dosing for kids longterm effects unknown – brains still developing
ADD/ADHD medication can increase risk of stimulant abuse as adults
Increased suicide risk
While depressed, person has low motivation/drive; treatment may give them energy to complete suicide plan
Kids/teens more impulsive than adults
Symptoms more likely to be anger/irritability
Anxiety Disorder
Intense, uncontrollable anxiety about things most people don’t find disturbing
Social situations, achievement, freefloating
- Motor Development and Safety A. Motor Skills
Gross and fine motor skills improve
Better muscular coordination
Gender differences in gross motor skills
Cultural expectations – boys more likely to play organized sports
Compare sporty girls to sporty boys and differences are minimized
Differing expectations – place more emphasis on sports for boys
No reason to separate sexes for sports until puberty
Fine Motor Skills
Increase in myelinization in the brain
Faster coordination of small muscles
Social Benefits
Kids who perform well psychically often more accepted/liked
Especially pronounced for boys – more importance
Physical maturity determine athletic performance
Taller, stronger, heavier
Don’t overemphasize significance of physical ability
Sports should be fun
Maintain physical fitness
Learning new skills associated with sports
Becoming comfortable with bodies
- Threats to Children’s Safety
More independence, mobility, new safety issues
Walking more alone
Not able to judge speed and distance of cars
More time on bikes not wearing helmets
Clear rules about acceptable places to ride
Bike lanes next to busy roads
Accidents
Auto injuries most common
Proper restraint system important
Kids should ride in the back
Always model proper seat belt use
Cyberspace
Many dangers online
Warn kids not to meet facetoface with anyone they have met online without parent present
- Sensory Difficulties: Visual, Auditory, and Speech Problems
Can lead to academic and social problems
Visual Impairments
Blindness (less than 20/200 after correction), partial sightedness (20/70 after correction)
Also inability to see upclose
Disabilities in color, depth, light perception
Warning Signs
Frequent eye irritation
Blinking/facial contortions while reading
Holding reading material too close
Frequent headaches
Auditory impairments
Loss of hearing
12%
certain frequencies loss of oral language abilities
can affect abstract thinking
Speech Impairments
Calls attention to speaker, interferes with communication, produces maladjustments
35%
stuttering – substantial disruption in rhythm/fluency of speech; most common Learning disabilities
difficulties listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, math
Dyslexia reading disability
Dysgraphia writing disability
Dyscalculia math disability
- ADD/ADHD
Another form of special need
Inattention, impulsiveness, failure to complete tasks, lack of organization, excessive uncontrollable activity Drug treatments controversial
35% suffer
ADHD medications are stimulants – paradoxical effect
May predispose kids to stimulant abuse as adults
- Developmental Diversity: Mainstreaming and Full Inclusion of Children With Special Needs
Public Law 94142
Least restrictive environment – setting most similar to that of kids without special needs
Mainstreaming – kids with special needs integrated to the fullest extent possible
No special advantages for kids with special needs placed in separate classes