Unit 3: Lesson 3: Early Childhood

Lesson 3: Early Childhood

Lesson 3: Early Childhood

Although physical development slows during early childhood, many changes still occur during this stage of the life span. Most children grow approximately two to three inches annually during childhood and often gain between five and seven pounds yearly. On average, male and female children have similar height and weight during childhood. During early childhood, growth and development become more individualized because some children will grow faster or slower or gain weight faster or slower than other children of the same age. Both genetics and the environment tend to affect these patterns.

The brain continues its development throughout early childhood. Although the brain's overall size does not change significantly, brain development continues to change dramatically. Between the ages of three and six, the child will experience significant development in the frontal lobe, which helps control planning tasks and actions and concentration on specific tasks. Neuron pathways continue to be strengthened and protected.

Children also experience growth in their motor skills. By this point, most children can freely and with confidence. Third, many can hop, run, and jump. Children will continue to gain confidence in their physical abilities until they begin to crawl, swing, and scramble over playground structures. Children also continue to develop their fine motor skills. Three-year-olds can usually pick items up with their thumbs and forefingers. They have often learned to build towers, assemble puzzles, etc. As their fine motor skills develop, they build more elaborate structures with more skill. Activities during early childhood will also reveal whether a child is right-handed or left-handed by the hand they prefer to use in activities such as throwing a ball.

Health issues in early childhood are often related to the conditions in which a child is raised. For example, low-income families may have difficulty providing growing children with nutritious food. This can create deficiencies in a child's vitamins and minerals for growth and development. Second-hand smoke in the home can hurt a child's health, and children exposed to it are more likely to develop issues such as asthma than children who are not disclosed. The leading cause of death for early childhood, however, is accidents.

Middle and Late Childhood

Middle to late childhood lasts from about six to about eleven years of age. During this time, most children grow taller, heavier, and stronger than they were during early childhood. The average growth rate for children during this period is about two to three inches per year. Children also tend to gain about five to seven pounds each year during this period. The child's bones continue to ossify, growing harder, although they still have more give or flexibility than adult bones.

In the child's brain, pathways in the prefrontal cortex – where the highest thinking occurs – increase. Scientists have also found that the cerebral cortex thickens during this time, particularly in the area of the brain related to language. This may occur as children increase their language abilities through reading and learning more words. Fine motor skills also increase, allowing children to do more complicated tasks. They learn to tie their shoes, dress themselves, and create more sophisticated artwork.

By and large, middle and late childhood is a healthy time for most children, aside from common illnesses such as colds and the flu. This age group experiences less death due to illness or disease than any other age group. The leading cause of health issues during this period is accidents. Injuries with motor vehicles, bicycles, skateboards, and other sporting equipment can cause injuries or even death for children. Over the past several decades, health science professionals have stressed the need to use protective equipment for children in this age group, including car safety seats, helmets, and protective padding when children ride in cars or participate in potentially dangerous activities.

An increasing health concern during this stage of the life span is weight. The rate of children who are considered overweight has doubled in the last thirty years, with about 30% of children between six and eleven years of age overweight in the United States. Being overweight raises the risks of other health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and lung problems. Overweight children may also develop psychological issues with low self-esteem and lower confidence.