Early Childhood: Biosocial Development

CHAPTER 8
M A RY R . B E C K CHILD PSYCHOLOGY PSY - 152

Body Changes
Between 2 6 years of age, children grow almost 3

inches and gain about 4 lbs. per year

By age 6, average child weighs between 40 and 50

lbs. and measures at least 3 feet

Low income now correlates with overweight and

obesity

Body Changes - continued

Growth is slower from ages 2 6, fewer calories

needed per pound of body weight, appetite is smaller Deficiency of iron, calcium and zinc Overindulgence in sweets Just right or just so phenomenon children rigid about daily routines and food preferences

Brain Development
Between ages 2 6, the brain grows from 75% to

90%of its adult weight

Size of cortex increases, allowing for thinking,

planning and language

Myelination process that insulates the axons of

neurons and speeds transmission of neural impulses

Brain Development - continued

Corpus callosum long, thick band of nerve fibers

that connects the two sides of the brain Lateralization specialization of the two sides of the body and brain

Left side of brain controls right side of body, dedicated to logic, detailed analysis and language Right side of brain controls left side of body, dedicated to emotional and creative impulses

Brain Development - continued

Prefrontal cortex final part of the brain to mature,

specializes in executive functions of planning, prioritizing, and reflection, impulse control and emotional regulation

Perseveration tendency to stick to a thought or action for a long time, sign of immature prefrontal cortex Impulsiveness failure to think before acting , sign of immature prefrontal cortex

Brain development - continued

Limbic system plays crucial role in expression

and regulation of emotions

Amygdala registers emotions, especially fear and anxiety Hippocampus central processor of memory, especially for locations Hypothalamus produces hormones that activate parts of the brain and body

Brain development - continued

Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis)

hormonal feedback loop Cortisol stress hormone. Excessive cortisol:

May destroy part of the brains hippocampus May permanently damage the limbic system and influence emotional responses throughout life

Improved Motor Skills

Maturation of the prefrontal cortex improves impulse

control Myelination of the corpus callosum and lateralization of the brain permits better physical coordination Gross motor skills improve dramatically (refer to chart on page 238) Pollutants (lead, pesticides, BPA in plastic) can harm developing brains

Improving Motor Skills - continued

Fine motor skills are harder for preschoolers to

master due to:

Immature corpus callosum Immature prefrontal cortex Fat fingers unsuited for many utensils, toys, and clothes

Children are imaginative, creative and not very self-critical

Injuries and Abuse

In developed nations, more children die of violence

(accidental or deliberate) than from any other cause

Immaturity of prefrontal cortex makes children impulsive, plunging into dangerous places and activities Curiosity

Injury control/harm reduction best approach to

safety education

Levels of Prevention
Primary prevention preventative community

actions that reduce everyones chance of injury Secondary prevention preventative actions that avert harm in the immediate situation Tertiary prevention actions aimed at minimizing the impact of an adverse event that has already occurred

Child Maltreatment
Child maltreatment includes all intentional harm

and avoidable endangerment of someone under age 18.

Child abuse all actions that are deliberately harmful to a childs physical, emotional, or sexual well-being Child neglect failure to act appropriately to meet a childs basic physical, educational, and emotional needs

Child maltreatment - continued

Reported maltreatment cases 2.7 -3.5 million per

year Substantiated maltreatment investigated and verified cases 1 maltreated child in every 80 Warning signs:

Delayed development Hypervigilance Repeated injuries Ongoing physical complaints No close friendships, hostility to others Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Child maltreatment - continued

Levels of prevention:

Primary prevention increase stable neighborhoods and family cohesiveness, decrease financial instability, isolation and teenage parenthood Secondary prevention spot warning signs and intervene to keep a risky situation from getting worse Tertiary prevention limit harm after maltreatment has occurred

Child maltreatment - continued

Permanency planning find a long-term solution to

provide stability and support for a maltreated child

Foster care children are removed from parents custody and placed with another family, which is reimbursed for expenses occurred in meeting the childs needs Kinship care form of foster care in which a relative of the maltreated child becomes the approved caregiver Adoption a legal proceeding when an adult or couple unrelated to the child is granted legal parenthood. Permanent option