Physical Growth

Individual DifferencesAverage differences in height & weight between boys & girls begins to increase

Boys start becoming taller

Differences in economically deprived countries v. developed countries

Better nutrition & health care

Difference in U.S. between advantaged & disadvantaged children

Growth of the Brain

Fastest Growing Part of the BodyBy age 5, the brain is 90% of adult size

Increase in growth due to increase in the number of interconnections

It allows for more complex communications between neurons

Increase in the amount of myelin

Increase in the size of the corpus callosum

Brain LateralizationEach Hemisphere has Certain FunctionsEach hemisphere processes information slightly differently

The left processes sequentially

The right processes holistically

Boy Brain /Girl BrainMale & Female Brains are

Predisposed to Function Slightly Differently

Girls & Boys Show Some Hemispheric Differences

Gender & Cultural Relations to Brain Structure

Some Cultures Process Information Related to Vocal Sounds Differently

Increases in Myelin May Be Related to Growing Cognitive Capacities as well as Memory Improvements

Boys & Girls have Differences in Lower Body Reflexes

Boys & Girls Process Auditory Information Differently

Boys show greater Specialization of Left Hemisphere Language

Girls Language Capabilities is More Evenly Distributed Between Hemispheres

Girls Language Development is Faster than Boys

Sensory Development

Brain Development Brings ChangesBy preschool, a gradual shift in the way objects are viewed

Can see parts instead of the whole

Until 3 or 4 years, preschoolers focus on the insides of 2-D objects instead of the internal details

By 4 or 5 they’re looking at the surrounding boundaries

Auditory acuity improves

SleepProblems in Sleep20% - 30% have difficulty getting to sleep

May wake up & call parents for comfort10% - 50% have nightmares

Repeated nightmares can cause anxiety even in the waking

hours1% - 5% have night terrors

Waking in a state of panic with no nightmare

Not easily comfortedCan’t recall in the morning

NutritionEating the Right FoodsGrowth rate is slower than in infancy

Need less food to maintain growth

Encouraging the child to eat more than they seem to want can lead to obesity (more than 20% above average weight for height)

Childhood obesity increased significantly since the mid-1980s

Minor IllnessesPreschooler’s IllnessesAverage preschooler age 3 to 5 has 7 – 10 colds & other minor respiratory illnesses per year

Build up an immunity to more severe illnesses

Learns to cope with illnesses laterLearn to

understand others’ illnesses

Major IllnessesCancer & AIDSCancer is most frequent major illness: Leukemia

AIDS causes social problems due to avoidance

Emotional IllnessesIncreasing number of children are being treated with drugs: antidepressants & stimulants

Possibly due to wanting a quick fix

InjuriesAccidents are the Greatest RiskDue to level of physical activityBoys are more active than girls & take more risksMore accidents in poorer areas

Lead PoisoningTiny amounts of lead can be very harmfulLinked to lower IQ, verbal & auditory problems, hyperactivity & distractibility

Child AbusePhysical Abuse1800+ killed every year

140,000+ injured

3 million + are victims

CharacteristicsFussy, resistant to control, not readily adaptable to new situations

The children have more headaches & stomachaches, bedwetting, anxiety, & have developmental delays

Child AbuseReasonsVague separation between permissible & impermissible forms of physical punishment

Privacy of childcare in Western society

Unrealistic expectations of the child’s abilities & failing to meet them

Cycle of abuse hypothesis: Abused & neglected children become abusing adults

Not always true

Psychological AbusePsychological maltreatment: When parents harm a child’s behavioral, cognitive, or physical functioning via overt behavior or neglect

The consequences are low self-esteem, lying, misbehavior, underachievement, & criminal behavior

Causes permanent changes in the brain: reduces the size of the amygdala & hippocampus; can lead to overexcitation of the limbic system leading to emotional regulation & memory problems

Overcoming the Odds

ResilienceThe ability to overcome circumstances that place a child at high risk for psychological or physical damageTemperament:

Affectionate, easy-going, & good natured, he or she elicits

nurturance from othersIn older children they are socially pleasant, outgoing, independent, relatively intelligent, feel they shape

their future, & have good communication skills

Motor DevelopmentGross Motor Skills

Advances in gross motor skills related to brain development & myelination of neurons in areas related to balance & coordination

Gender DifferencesBoys overall motor activity level higher than girls: jump higher & throw a ball betterGirls better in coordination of arms & legs & balancing & coordinated exercises

Fine Motor SkillsDevelop with gross motor skills but require practice

Toilet TrainingReadinessThe flexible approach:

Wait until the child shows signs of readiness

Signs include:

Staying dry for at least 2 hours or waking up dry after a nap; saying he or she has to go; the ability to follow simple directions; the ability to get to the bathroom & undress alone; discomfort with soiled diapers; asking to use the toilet or potty chair; the desire to wear underwear

HandednessPreference by the End of PreschoolBy age 5 there’s a clear tendency to use one hand over the other

Today children are not forced to use the right hand

ArtArt is Important in Developing Fine Motor SkillsChildren’s art proceeds through 3 stages:ScribblingShapePictoral