Section 19.4 Childhood Objectives Describe the changes that children undergo during early childhood. Identify key areas of development that occur during middle and late childhood.

Dear Advice Line, I babysit a 2-year-old. She can’t do things by herself like pour milk into her cup or put on her pajamas, but she gets mad at me when I try to help and insists on doing it herself. What should I do? Explain what factors might be contributing to this two-year-old’s behavior. What advice can you give the babysitter?

Early Childhood Babies and young children are not miniature adults. From birth to age six, children change from helpless babies into confident individuals who can do many things for themselves.

Birth to Eighteen Months At birth, many of the baby’s organs and systems are not yet fully developed. By the time a baby is 3 or 4 months old, the brain, nerves, and muscles are ready for more coordinated movement. By 18 months of age, he or she now has some “baby” teeth and can chew solid food.

Eighteen Months to Three Years Most children learn to talk sometime between 18 months and 3 years of age. Appetite decreases as growth slows down. Physical coordination improves. During this time, most children gain abilities to do things for themselves.

Three to Six Years Between the ages of 3 and 6, children become more independent and active. Most 4-year-olds talk in sentences. During this stage, children learn to play together and make friends. They start to develop a sense of right and wrong.

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Middle and Late Childhood Physical growth, mastering new skills, and making friends are key areas of development during middle and late childhood. Middle childhood is defined as the period between age 6 and 8, and late childhood as ages 9 through 12. Late childhood is also called pre-adolescence or the “tween” years.

Physical Growth At around age 6 or 7, a child’s facial structure changes with the appearance of permanent teeth. Muscles and bones continue to grow, and coordination develops further. Their appetite also increases.

Mental Development Children will feel pride in accomplishing tasks and attempting new challenges. During middle and late childhood, the self-centeredness of early childhood lessens, and children continue to learn values. They may start taking on responsibilities at home, such as chores, during this stage.

Importance of Friends The approval of friends and the need to fit in with a social group help children learn to work well in group situations. Having a best friend also becomes important in pre- adolescence and will remain so into the teen years.

Vocabulary pre-adolescence The stage of development before adolescence.

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End of Section 19.4 Click on this slide to end this presentation.