Physical Development in Middle and Late Childhood Children 11 Physical Development in Middle and Late Childhood

Skeletal and Muscular Systems During the elementary school years, children Grow 2 to 3 inches a year until age 11 Gain about 5 to 7 pounds a year Double strength capabilities Proportional changes

The Brain Increased myelination Middle/late childhood What Changes Take Place in Body Growth, Brain, and Motor Development? The Brain Increased myelination Faster, effective processing of information Middle/late childhood Brain volume stabilization Prefrontal circuitry and pathways increase Significant changes in structures and regions Attention, reasoning, cognitive control Increased cortical thickness Synaptic pruning occurs

Overweight Children Overweight Increasing health problem in the U.S. What Are Central Issues in Children’s Health? Overweight Children Overweight Increasing health problem in the U.S. BMI used to measure children Worldwide: more children overweight Recently in U.S.: obesity leveling off Risk factor; the earlier the child is overweight, the more risk of obesity in adolescence

Overweight Children Factors linked to overweight childhood What Are Central Issues in Children’s Health? Overweight Children Factors linked to overweight childhood Genetics, heredity Environmental factors Availability of food and types Eating patterns and habits Cultural influences Parental supervision, attitudes Television watching, low activity behaviors

Overweight Children Consequences of overweight childhood What Are Central Issues in Children’s Health? Overweight Children Consequences of overweight childhood Risk of medical problems Pulmonary/airway obstruction, sleep apnea Bone, hip problems Diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol Cardiovascular risk higher in low SES Risk of psychological problems Lower self-esteem, tired, less attractive Peer relations; rejection and withdrawal

Overweight Children Treatment: Activity levels are not hereditary What Are Central Issues in Children’s Health? Overweight Children Treatment: Combination of Diet, weight loss programs Exercise, calorie-burning activities Behavior modification, lifestyle changes Daily diary provides feedback, reinforcement Intervention programs vary Schools, parents are very important for change Activity levels are not hereditary

Diseases Four childhood diseases most harmful Cancer: Diabetes: What Are Central Issues in Children’s Health? Diseases Four childhood diseases most harmful Cancer: Child cancers attack all areas of body By age 19: 1 in 330 children in U.S. get cancer Little known about causes, possible genetics Diabetes: Type I and Type II Highest risk: obesity and Type II Ethnic groups at higher risk of diabetes

Diseases Asthma: Incidence has steadily increased over years What Are Central Issues in Children’s Health? Diseases Asthma: Incidence has steadily increased over years Affected by increased air pollution Most common childhood chronic disease Primary reason for missing school, ER visits Exact causes unknown; blames allergic reactions to environmental substances Treated with inhalers, medications Child may outgrow by late adolescence

Accidents and Injuries What Are Central Issues in Children’s Health? Accidents and Injuries Injuries: Middle/late childhood: leading cause of death Most common: motor vehicle accidents Serious injuries caused by sports equipment Most accidents occur near home or school Prevention strategies best Safety equipment, minimize risky behaviors, proper adult supervision

Exercise and Sports Sports: What Are Central Issues in Children’s Health? Exercise and Sports Sports: Involvement of children increasing every year Positive consequences Healthy exercise, opportunities to learn, raises self-esteem, good peer relationships Negative consequences Pressure to win/achieve, physical injuries, academic work falters, too competitive, unrealistic expectations for athletic success

Exercise and Sports Exercise Children not exercising enough What Are Central Issues in Children’s Health? Exercise and Sports Exercise Children not exercising enough Less P.E. programs/involvement in school TV watching promotes sedentary lifestyles High-intensity resistance exercise Decreases body fat, lessens overweight risks Increases muscle strength Linked to important cognitive activity Opportunities, parental encouragement a must

Parents’ Guide for Children Pros Exercise Opportunities to learn how to compete Self-esteem Setting for developing peer relations and friendships Cons Pressure to achieve, high stress created Physical injuries Distraction from academic work Exploitation Wrong values taught; win-at-all-costs

Nutrition Middle/late childhood: Average child’s body weight doubles What Are Central Issues in Children’s Health? Nutrition Middle/late childhood: Average child’s body weight doubles Food consumption increases with age Age 1-3: needs 1,300 calories per day Age 4-6: needs 1,700 calories per day Age 7-10: needs 2,400 calories per day (needs vary with size, activity level) Healthy, balanced meals, and eating patterns are most important

Motor Development Middle/late childhood: What Changes Take Place in Body Growth, Brain, and Motor Development? Motor Development Middle/late childhood: Smoother movement, better coordination Mastered skills become source of pleasure Boys usually better in gross motor skills Activity helps refine developing skills Hands used more as ‘tools,’ steadier by age 7 Age 8-10: more independent with hands Fine motor skills in writing develop Age 10-12: manipulative skills like adults

Who Are Children with Disabilities? What Are the Prevalent Disabilities in Children? Who Are Children with Disabilities? About 10% of U.S. children receive special education or related services Learning disability (includes ADHD) Speech and sensory disorders Physical disorders Emotional and behavioral disorders

Learning Disabilities What Are the Prevalent Disabilities in Children? Learning Disabilities Learning disability includes: A minimum IQ level A significant difficulty in a school-related area Exclusion of other conditions Boys classified 3 times more than girls Diagnosis difficult

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder What Are the Prevalent Disabilities in Children? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children consistently show one or more of the following characteristics: Inattention Hyperactivity Impulsivity

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder What Are the Prevalent Disabilities in Children? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Many possible causes; heredity may play role Undergoes extensive evaluations Usually treated with stimulant drugs Controversial

What Are the Prevalent Disabilities in Children? Educational Issues Public Law 94-142 (Education for All Handicapped Children Act) Requires that all children with disabilities be given free, appropriate public education Renamed Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990

Educational Issues IDEA amendments in 1997 What Are the Prevalent Disabilities in Children? Educational Issues IDEA amendments in 1997 Use of instructional technology Use of assistive technology Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Least restrictive environment (LRE) Mainstreaming renamed inclusion

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) What Are the Prevalent Disabilities in Children? Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Written statement that spells out program tailored to child with disability Related to child’s learning capacity Designed to meet child’s individual needs Designed to provide educational benefits

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) What Are the Prevalent Disabilities in Children? Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Child with disability must be educated in setting as similar as possible to one in which children without a disability are educated Inclusion: educating special-needs child full-time in the regular classroom