CHILD’s GROWTH

DEFINITION• GROWTH• The term growth denotes a net increase in the size, or

mass of the tissue.

• It is a quantitative change in the child’s body.

• It is largely attributed to multiplication of cells and

increase in the intracellular substance.

• It can be measured in Kg, pounds, meters, inches, ….. etc

Growth Patterns

The child’s pattern of growth is in a head-to-toe direction, or cephalocaudal, and in an inward to outward pattern called proximodistal.

Physical Growth

• Lose some after birth• 1-2 lbs./month 1st 6 months• 1 pound/month in 2nd 6 months– Birth weight:• Doubled by 6 month• Tripled by 1 year

• 20-22 lbs.: average weight of 1 year old– Heredity, feeding habits, and physical activity

Weight

• Avg newborn =20 inches• Avg 1 year =30 inches• Heredity: influences height more than

weight

Height

Stages of growth

Different stages of growth

• There are stages of growth that a child goes through.

• Infancy• Early childhood• Childhood • Late childhood

Infancy

• Infancy- from birth to 18th months• Physical changes• Bones are still soft and flexible • Learns to sit, to crawl, to stand and to

sit.• Mental changes• Gets what it need by crying• Can recognize parents and siblings

Early childhood

• 18th month to 3 years• Physical changes • Learns to walk and to talk• Arms and legs get longer• Mental changes• Social changes• Not ready to share or to play interactively with others

• 3 to 6 years• Physical changes• Begins to lose milk teeth• Learns to behave while in a group• Social changes• Learns to play interactively and to make

friends• Emotional changes• Physical contact becomes less frequent

Childhood

Late childhood

• Physical changes• Appetite increases• Process of sexual maturity begins• Acquires high-level thinking skills• Emotional changes• Self-centeredness lessens