2.5 Health Promotion of School Agers and Adolescents Flashcards
School Aged (6-12 years old)
Biological Development
- Height increases 2 inches per year
- Weight increases 2-3 kg a year
- Males/Females differ little in size
- Females mature faster than boys (faster growth in weight and height)
Prepubescent (Preadolescents)
- 2 years preceding puberty
- Varies between age 9-12 (occurs 2 years earlier in girls)
PUBERTY
- Average age for men is 12
- Average age for women is 10
Psychosocial Development (Erikson)
Stage - Industry vs Inferiority
- Sense of accomplishment (industry) such as finding new knowledge, skills, self-worth, pride versus inferiority where they do not feel like they are doing as well as others which lowers self-esteem.
- Eager to develop skills and acquire sense of personal competence.
- Growing sense of independence
- Peer approval is a strong motivator
- Important to let this age group know that it is okay for someone else to be better at certain skills to help them overcome sense of inferiority
Cognitive Development (Piaget)
Phase - Concrete Operations
- Use thought processes to experience events and actions
- Develop understanding between things and ideas
- Progress from making judgements based on what they see, and now make decisions based off their reasoning skills and knowledge they have gained.
- Like routines, schedules, what to expect to help them feel secure.
- They like concrete and know what is going on
Social Development
- IMPORTANCE OF PEER GROUPS
- Kids will find a best friend and same sex friendships are much more prominent
- Peers have strong influence in gaining independence from parents
- Cooperative play (individuals play together with very defined set of rules and expectations)
- They like structure and rules because they become more competitive
Relationship with Family
- Parents are primary influence in shaping a child’s behavior, values, personality
- Primary goal for school-aged is gaining independence from parents
- They still need parental control but are more independent.
Developing Self-Concept
- Conscious awareness of different self perceptions (what are my abilities, values, appearances) how do I view myself? What is my self esteem?
- Parents must help children shape a positive self concept by re-enforcing positive behaviors, teach self-respect, self-confidence, happiness.
Body Image
- Generally children like their physical selves less as they age
- They become more aware of differences between themselves and others, and societal norms which may influence feelings of inferiority.
- Body image is influenced by significant others.
Health Promotion
NUTRITION
- Kids are more willing to have a wider array of foods in diet (less picky)
- Educate proper food choices
SLEEP
- 9 1/2 hours of sleep a night
- Resistant to bed-time until the end of school-aged children.
EXERCISE
- Children start to engage in sports and competition
DENTAL HEALTH
- Primary teeth are in so it is important to educate on how to prevent cavities, how to brush teeth, and how to protect their teeth.
Injury Prevention
- Most common cause of injury/death is motor vehicle accidents.
(Wear seatbelts, sit in back seat) - Typically will be in booster seat until 80 pounds.
- How to wear a helmet
- Importance of sports safety
Adolescents (13 - 18/20 years old)
- Transition between childhood and adulthood
- Rapid physical/cognitive/social/emotional maturation
Terms
Prepubescent - 2 years before puberty
Puberty - Sexual maturity is achieved
Postpubescent - 1-2 years after puberty (skeletal growth is complete and reproductive functions become established)
Adolescent - Time of growing into psychological, social, physical maturation
Biological Development
Primary Sex Characteristics
- Internal/External Organs Necessary for Reproduction
(Ovaries, Uterus, Penis)
Secondary Sex Characteristics
- Physiologic changes that occur due to hormones
(Voice change, hair growth, breast enlargement, fat deposits)
Sexual Maturation
- Tanner Stages of Sexual Maturity
(Stages of development of secondary sex characteristics and genital development)
(Guide to estimate sexual maturation)
DO NOT NEED TO MEMORIZE
Physical Growth
- Dramatic increase in growth that accompanies sexual maturation
GROWTH SPURT
- 20-25% of total height is achieved during puberty (2-3 year timeframe)
- Increase in both height and weight
Psychosocial Development (Erikson)
Stage - Identity vs Role Confusion
- Adolescents are seeking their own identity and independence. Develop sense of self. Discover who they are and how they are different from other people.
- If adolescents struggle with achieving identity or don’t have a strong peer group then they can get role confusion where they are unable to establish a meaningful definition of self.
- Sex role identity
- More Intune with their emotions
Cognitive Development (Piaget)
Stage - Formal Operations Period
Formal (Abstract) Thinking
- They can consider alternatives, different outcomes, think about different factors that can influence a decision, think in the future, think beyond present circumstance.
- Concerned with others thoughts and needs
Social Development
- Goal is to define their own identity and independent from parental authority.
- They may have ambivalence (mixed feelings) and they may struggle
- Intense periods of sociability (want to be with peers all the time)
- Intense periods of loneliness (want to be alone when they don’t feel connected with others)
- ACCEPTANCE OF PEERS IS VERY IMPORTANT
Relationship with Parents
- Teenagers want to be viewed as independent and equal. (Adult)
- Role changes from “protection” to “mutual affection and equality”
- Struggles of privilege and responsibility
- Teenagers try to get out of parental control
Relationship with Peers
- Essential to have a best friend
- Belonging and feeling of strength and power
- Peers help transition between dependence and autonomy
Self-Concept and Body Image
- Feelings of confusion in early adolescents (about puberty and changes that are happening. They maybe embarrassed)
- Acute awareness of appearance in comparison with others.
- Blemishes and defects are magnified out of proportion (acne, birth marks)
- Important to address body image issues they may have
Promoting Optimum Health Promotions
- Stress Reduction
Due to transitioning to high-school, puberty, and gaining identity or being an adult.
Build trusting relationship with teenagers so they can feel comfortable talking about their stress - Sexual Education/Guidance
How to prevent STDs, how to explore sexual role in a safe way.
Injury Prevention
- Biggest issue is motor vehicle accidents (they are starting to drive)
- Education on seat belts, don’t drive under the influence, don’t text and drive
- Sports Injuries
- Water Safety (jet ski’s, boats)
- Tobacco/Alcohol education
- Firearm education
- This age group is very independent and think they are invincible so it is important to provide this education.
Anticipatory Guidance
- We need to guide parents about changes teenagers go through
- Provide support about how their teenager is going to want to be more independent and how to support their child through this.
