Module 4.1 for blackboard.ppt

Physical Development in Middle Childhood Module 4.1 Height and Weight Changes in Middle Childhood Grow 2-3 inches a year Only period in life when girls are taller than boys Gain 5-7 pounds a year Baby fat reduces and muscle mass increases Obesity 40% of girls ages 9 and 10 try to lose weight Between age 6 and 18 boys reduce physical activity by 24% and girls by 36% 15% of U.S. children are obese Reduction in school gym and recess times and lack of nutritious lunch menus may contribute Nutrition in Middle Childhood Begins to impact social, emotional, and cognitive functioning as well as physical Better nutrition is related to more peer involvement, more positive emotions, and less anxiety Effects cognitive because decreases responsiveness and motivation to interact and learn Gross Motor Skills in Middle Childhood Muscle coordination improves Leads to ability to do more complex things like ride a bike, play baseball, jump rope Research does not support differences in physical ability based on sex at this age if practice is equal Fine Motor Skills in Middle Childhood Myelin increases significantly from 6-8 and promotes fine motor skills If messages can travel from brain to muscle faster, leads to muscle control needed for fine motor tasks By 11-12 fine motor skills are almost as good as adults Health in Middle Childhood Age range of generally good health Immunizations prevent many of the illness that killed many children 50 years ago 90% will get one serious medical condition in middle childhood Likelihood of accidents increases because of increased mobility Special Needs Visual Impairment Blindness is legally defined as visual acuity less than 20/200 after correction Vision problems less than legal blindness can impact school work Eye irritation, blinking when reading, holding materials close to face, difficulty writing, and headaches may be signs of visual impairment Special Needs Auditory Impairments Effects academics and social interaction 1-2% of school age children Age of hearing loss impacts adaptation If lost before exposed to language will likely have no speech Early loss also impacts abstract thinking ability If lost after learned language will have less impact on future language development Schools are often required to provide interpreters if children use American Sign Language as their primary language Special Needs Speech Impairments 3-5 % of school age children Interferes with communication and can lead to psychological stress Stuttering is the most common Special Needs Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Inattention, impulsivity, low frustration tolerance, high activity levels Can have inattention, impulsivity, or both Symptoms exist to a degree that it interferes with home and school functioning 3-7% of kids under 18 Often treated by behavior therapy, medication, or both