Chapter 11 Physical development in middle and late childhood Skeletal and muscular changes children grow 2 3 inches a year gain 5 7 lbs a year Muscle strength increases boys are usually stronger than girls more body muscle in boys more body fat in girls Bodies become proportional look like adults Secular trends changes in body size from one generation to the next Heavier and taller mostly due to better nutrition and improved health The Brain Increased myelination encasing axons with fat cells which improves processing speed o Linked to more effective processing of information o Advances in prefrontal cortex Linked to improved attention reasoning and cognitive control Teeth lose about 4 a year o Teeth fall out starting at about 6 and will lose 20 primary teeth o Girls lose their teeth slightly earlier than boys o Malocclusion upper and lower teeth do not meet properly 1 3 of school age children Vision and hearing myopia or nearsightedness 25 of middle childhood heredity contributes Can be due to environmental conditions sitting too close to TV reading in dim lighting too much time on computer increases with family income Common health problems Always connected to poverty economically children don t have health insurance if they are receive lower standard of care Lack basic necessities like a comfortable home and regular meals Malnutrition effects of this are apparent in middle childhood retarded physical growth lower IQ poor motor coordination inattention even mild nutritional deficits can affect cognitive functioning Nutrition day Most eat far more than younger children Children need about 2400 calories every 17 are obese 20 more than they are supposed to weigh 80 will become overweight adults Psychological and physical problems Iron and folate deficiencies led to lower mental performance Obesity Causes 1 Heredity likely to have obese parent twins are more concordant 2 SES family stress cheap junk food lack of knowledge 3 Early growth pattern infants who gain weight rapidly are at risk 4 Family eating habits U S children eat too many fats and sweets Diet should 30 of calories from fat Sugar does not make most children hyperactive 5 Responsiveness to food cues not based on hunger but smell sight internal vs external motivation 6 Physical activity 7 TV viewing 8 Early malnutrition gain weight rapidly body protects itself by establishing low metabolism rate Why treat childhood obesity Often suffer emotionally may make themselves feel better with food cycle At risk of behavior problems for boys depression Overweight children tend to become overweight adults especially if they have parents who are overweight At risk of high blood pressure heart disease diabetes child weight may be better predictor of some diseases than adult weight All obese children should be screened for treatment Treatment should begin early involve family aim for permanent lifestyle changes in food and activity less than 20 get treatment Body image becomes important toward the end of middle childhood especially for girls may develop into eating disorder Reach puberty earlier which puts at risk for early sexual activity and adjustment problems o Family based focused on changing behaviors the more the parent loses the more the child loses children maintain weight loss more than adults reinforce physical activity How Bedwetting nocturnal enuresis bedwetting during the night 10 of school age children problem has biological roots usually heredity Failure of muscular responses to inhibit urination or hormonal imbalance permits too much urine to accumulate Punishment makes it worse Antidepressant drugs reduces the amount of urine produced short term once stop medicine problem comes back most effective is urine alarm success rates of 60 to 70 most children don t get intervention but has positive psychological consequences Illnesses Unintentional Injuries 2 NA children have more severe illnesses sickle cell anemia cystic fibrosis diabetes arthritis cancer AIDS 11 days of school missed a year on average immune system still developing Fatalities increase from middle childhood to adolescence more for boys leading cause motor vehicle accidents bike accidents safety education would help Motor development becomes smoother and more coordinated Gain control over their bodies and can sit still for longer periods of time o Gains in 4 basic motor capacities Flexibility balance agility force Still need to be active Become more fatigued by long periods of sitting than periods of activity Child organized games Games with Rules Gains in perspective taking understand the role of several players in the game Children try out different styles of competing winning and losing with little risk based more on luck than individual ability Children get practice in organizing creating rules Children spend as much time making up the rules as they do playing the game These games are declining children don t spend time neighborhoods any more on their own TV video games adult organized sports Rough and tumble play friendly chasing and play fighting boys wrestling restraining hitting girls running chasing brief physical contact 10 of free play choose partner similar to their level using dominance hierarchy Are adult organized sports good for children 3 out of 4 quit by age 15 Why Pressure to practice for long hours focus on winning rather than playing criticism from parents bribes to make them do well To help children improve offer chance to try variety of sports build skills rather than winning games include as many children as possible instead of focusing on star athletes Cons creativity Pros When adults become involved things get more competitive less on the process of playing and more on the product of winning Children learn little about leadership decision making because adults are in charge Assigning children to specific roles First base inhibits experimentation and Highly structured competitive games are less fun work instead of play Teaches children how to accept authority prepares them for realistic competition that they will face as adults Children get lots of exercise less TV Children get instruction in physical skills that may help later with athletics Parents and children get to share an activity Physical Education Only 50 of schools require PE average school age child gets 20 minutes of physical activity a day 1 hour and 20 minutes a week They have to get activity outside of school most ride home sit and watch TV for 3 Change focus of PE
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