Unit 3: Child Growth and Development Flashcards
Physical Growth and Development (Ages 0-5)
The physical growth of a baby slows down after one year. However, their physical skills will improve dramatically. The term toddler is used during this time period.
Toddlers
Children from age 1-3 so named for the unsteady steps they use when they first begin walking
Height and Weight
Growth during this period is significantly slower than among babies (0-1 year old).
They will gain about ½ a pound (during each month) versus the 1-2 pounds gained during the first 6 months and the 1 pound gained for the 6 months following.
Heredity and environmental influences will be more noticeable during this period.
This is where children begin to show great variation in size
Proportion and Posture
Until the age of 2, a child’s head, chest, and abdomen measure the same and will grow at the same rate.
Between age 2-3, the chest becomes larger than the head and abdomen.
The arms, legs, and trunk will also grow rapidly.
These changes will help improve the child’s balance and motor skills.
Teeth
Toddlers will have a set of 20 primary teeth.
One-year olds have an average of 8 teeth.
During the 2nd year, 8 more teeth grow in.
The last 4 back teeth grow in during the 3rd year.
The diet of the child during the first 2 years lay the foundation for good (or poor) adult teeth.
Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D are important in developing strong, healthy teeth and bones.
Gross Motor Skills
Involve the use and control of the large muscles of the back, legs, shoulders and arms
Examples: walking, running, throwing a ball
Fine Motor Skills
depend on the use and control of the finer muscles of the wrists, fingers, and ankles. They require hand-eye coordination (ability to move hands precisely in relation to what is seen
Examples: using paintbrushes, turning pages of books, eating
Cognitive/Intelligence
The ability to interpret or understand everyday situations and to use that experience when faced with new situations or problems. It is shaped by heredity and environment.
Role of Intelligence
A one-year-old is still much like a baby, just trying to make sense of the world.
In contrast, a three-year-old talks freely, solves simple problems, and constantly seeks out new things to learn
Methods of Learning: Incidental Learning
Is unplanned learning
Methods of Learning: Trial-and-Error Learning
Takes place when a child tries several solutions before finding one that works
Methods of Learning: Imitation
Learning by watching and copying others. Skills and attitudes are learned by imitation.
Methods of Learning: Directed Learning
Learning that results from being taught. Directed learning begins in the early years and continues throughout life.
Social - Eighteen Months
Children engage in parallel play – they play independently near, but not actually with, another child
Toddler is intent on satisfying strong desires without regard for anyone who interferes.
Conflicts over toys can result in screaming, hitting, biting, or hair pulling
The toddler can understand that actions have consequences
Social - Two Years
Good at understanding and interacting with caregiver
As speech develops, the young child is increasingly able to communicate with others
Find it fun to play with someone, although they will still usually engage in parallel play.
Can understand the idea of sharing or taking turns
Will like to please other people by putting the wishes of someone else (usually an adult) ahead of theirs
Social - Two and a Half Years
Negativism characteristic at this age carries into social relationships – will refuse to do something for one person and happily do it for someone else
Beginning to learn about the rights of others – can respond to the idea of fairness
Social - Three Years
These children are sunny and agreeable
People are important to children of this age – they will share, help, or do things another person’s way
Begin cooperative play – actually playing with one another
Most children this age will seek friends on their own – parent’s are no longer the all-powerful in social lives
Social - Three and a Half Years
Children’s play becomes more complex and includes more conversation
Disagreements with playmates occur less often because children enjoy the company of others
Can settle many conflicts
They will take more notice of what other children are like – more likely to compare themselves to other children
Emotional and Moral: Eighteen Months
Children are self-centred – they think about their own needs and wants, not those of others
Favourite response to everything is “NO”.
Negativism – doing the opposite of what others want. Three possible reasons:
The desire for independence
Frustration
The child’s realization of being a separate person
Possible guidance can help caregivers handle a child who is negative:
Give choices
Redirect the child
Encourage talking
Temper tantrums – a child releases anger or frustration by screaming, crying, kicking, pounding, and sometimes holding his/her breath
Emotional and Moral: Two Years
Less prone to anger and frustration because speech and motor skills have improved; the child better understands explanations and is less impatient
The child is affectionate –seeking approval and praise
Emotional and Moral: Two and a Half Years
Children are learning so much that they may feel overwhelmed
Comprehension and desires exceed their physical abilities
They may know what they want to say but can’t make themselves be understood – leads to frustration and anger
Children are both independent and dependent.
Love and patience are essential – need flexible limitations
Emotional and Moral: Three Years
Generally more cooperative and learning to be considerate – more physically capable
Will modify behaviour to win praise/affection
Have fewer temper tantrums
Emotional and Moral: Three and a Half Years
Fear is common at this age (dark, monsters, loud noises)
Emotional tension and insecurity show up in physical ways, develop habits to release tension
Physical Adjustments to Parenthood
Fatigue
Vaginal discharge called lochia- the uterus cleaning itself out
Frequent urination
Increased sweating
Stomach and uterus shrink (especially when breastfeeding)
Sitting and standing may be painful
