Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood |, Study notes of Developmental Psychology

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Chapter 7

Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood

Physical Growth

Ages 3 – 6 Lose babyish roundness, (pot-belly), become slender, head still large compared to body.) Boys and girls grow 2 –3 inches/year Gain 4 – 6 pounds a year

Primary Teeth

Primary teeth are all in place by age three. Secondary teeth are getting ready to come in and will start appearing around age 6. Thumb sucking is not a huge problem and can largely be ignored. The permanent teeth are not in yet. Use of fluoride has greatly reduced the incidence of tooth decay. Tooth decay a problem when children consume a lot of sugary food and liquids, especially soda pop.

Sleep Patterns

Young children usually sleep more deeply at night than they will later in life. Elaborate routines to avoid going to bed May have a form of separation anxiety, need regular, consistent sleep routines. Bedtime can be a struggles for parents trying to get their child to go to bed and stay in bed. Occurs in 20 – 30% of children.

Sleep Terrors

In a sleep terror, the child awakens in a state of panic, may scream, sit up in bed, breath rapid and stare into space. Usually occurs an hour after falling asleep. No memory the next day of the episode.

Enuresis

Repeated urination in clothing or in bed, especially at night. Occurance – 7% of boys, 3% of girls Children who wet bed do not have awareness of a full bladder. Gene linked to this condition, plus slow motor maturation, allergies and poor behavioral control. Normal and parents need reassurance.

Ages for Fine Motor Skills

Age 2 - Scribble in patterns, such as vertical lines and zigzag patterns. Age 3 - Draw shapes, such as circles, squares, rectangles, triangles. Age 4 and 5 - Pictorial stage.

Handedness

Determined by age 3 9 out of 10 children are right-handed Boys are more likely to be left-handed than girls. New research proposes the existence of a single gene for right-handedness.

Other Dangers

Head injuries due to falls from bicycles, playgrounds, shopping carts. U.S. laws for seat belts and for wearing bicycle helmets are prevalent but often disregarded. Drowning in the state of Florid is very high cause of death or permanent injury.

Exposure to Smoking

Parental smoking is an important preventable cause of illness and death. Children are at higher risk for pneumonia, bronchitis, serious infectious illness, otitis media, burns and asthma. Cancer in adulthood.

Lead Poisoning

Children get lead poisoning from lead- contaminated food or water, inhaling dust in homes or schools where there is lead- based paint, putting contaminated fingers in mouth. Interferes with developing brain are irreversible. Leads to a variety of behavioral and neurological problems. There is no safe level of exposure to lead poisoning.

Children Raised in Poverty

Health Concerns

Low income is chief factor associated with poor health over and above race and family structure. Problems begin before birth – Lack good nutrition and prenatal care, low birth weight or die in infancy. Grow up in crowded, unsanitary housing

Homeless Children

850,000 pre-school children are homeless. Typically headed by single mothers in their 20’s. ¼ of all pre-schoolers are homeless. Spend crucial early years in unstable, insecure environments. Cut off from supportive community, family ties, and institutional resources. High risk of going into foster care. High risk of severe depression, anxiety, neurological problems, developmental delays, visual problems, behavioral problems.

Pre-operational Thought

Piaget

More sophisticated use of symbolic thought Understanding of identities Cause and effect, choices Understanding of numbers Ability to classify Empathy – Able to imagine how others might feel.