AGE AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS |
BEHAVIOR PATTERNS |
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS |
Birth-4 Weeks (1 Month)
Significant neurologic disorganization.
Strong Moro reflex.
Sleep cycle disorganized.
GI system too immature for solid foods.
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Motor development
Momentary visual fixation on objects and adult face.
Eyes follow bright moving objects.
Lies awake on back.
Immediately drops objects placed in hands.
Responds to sounds of bell and other similar noises.
Keeps hands fisted.
Socialization and vocalization
Cognitive and emotional development
Reflexive.
External stimuli are meaningless.
Responses are generally limited to tension states or discomfort.
Gains satisfaction from feeding and being held, rocked, fondled, and cuddled.
Has an intense need for sucking pleasure.
Quiets when picked up.
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Play stimulation
Use human face—smile and talk.
Dangle bright moving object (eg, mobile) in field of vision.
Hold, touch, caress, fondle, kiss.
Rock, pat, change position.
Play soft music or have infant listen to ticking clock, sing.
Talk to infant, call by name.
Parental guidance
Begin to expose infant to different household sounds.
Change crib location in room.
Use brightly colored clothing and linens.
Put infant to sleep on back until old enough to roll.
Keep infant nearby.
Play with infant when awake.
Hold during feeding.
 NURSING ALERT Educate par ents about infant sleep stages and putting infant to sleep on back.
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4-8 Weeks (2 Months)
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Motor development
Reflexive behavior is slowly being replaced by voluntary movements.
Turns from side to back.
Begins to lift head momentarily from prone position.
Shows eye coordination to light and objects.
If bell is sounded nearby, infant will stop activity and listen.
Eyes follow better, both vertically and horizontally. Focuses well.
Socialization and vocalization
Begins vocalization—coos, especially to a voice.
Crying becomes differentiated.
Visually looks for sounds.
May squeal with delight when stimulated by touching, talking, or singing.
Begins to smile socially.
Eyes follow person or object more intently.
Cognitive and emotional development
Recognizes familiar face.
Becomes more aware and interested in environment.
Anticipates being fed when in feeding position.
Enjoys sucking—puts hand in mouth.
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Play stimulation
Arrange mobile over crib so infant’s movement will set it in motion.
Hang wind chimes near infant.
Hang brightly colored pictures on wall. Use cradle gym and infant seat.
Use rattles.
Hold infant and walk around room.
Allow freedom of kicking with clothes off.
Parental guidance
Talk to infant and smile; get excited when infant coos.
Place infant seat on a secure surface (eg, floor, center of a table—never near edge of table) near mother’s activities.
Put infant in prone position in bed or on floor.
Expose infant to different textures.
Exercise infant’s arms and legs.
Sing to infant.
Provide tactile experience during bathing, diapering, and feeding.
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8-12 Weeks (2-3 Months)
Landau reflex appears at 3-4 months.
Positive support reflex disappears.
Posterior fontanelle closes.
Increase in body fluids— real tears appear, drooling and GI juices increase.
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Motor development
When prone, will rest on forearms and keep head in midline—makes crawling movements with legs, arches back, and holds head high; may get chest off surface.
Indicates preference for prone or supine.
Discovers hands—bats objects with hands.
Holds objects in hands and brings to mouth.
Has fairly good head control.
Socialization and vocalization
Smiles more readily, babbles, and coos.
Stops crying when mother enters room or when caressed.
Enjoys playing during feeding.
Stays awake longer without crying.
Turns head to follow familiar person.
Cognitive and emotional development
Shows active interest in environment.
Recognizes familiar faces and objects.
Focuses and follows objects.
Shows repetitiveness in play activity.
Is aware of strange situations.
Derives pleasure from sucking—purposefully gets hand to mouth.
Begins to establish routine preceding sleep.
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Play stimulation
Encourage socialization, smiling, and laughing.
Place on mat on floor.
Continue to introduce new sounds.
Parental guidance
Take outdoors with proper clothing (similar warmth as that of adults), hat, and PABA-free sunscreen.
Bounce on bed.
Play with infant during feeding.
Rattles can be used effectively for visual following and for hand play.
Encourage older siblings to “make faces,” sing, and talk to infant.
 NURSING ALERT Children of all ages should avoid intense sun exposure, particularly during the middle of the day. PABA-free sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 should be used on children of all ages, particularly if sun exposure is longer than 30 minutes.
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12-16 Weeks (3-4 Months)
Moro reflex fades.
Stepping reflex disappears.
Rooting reflex disappears.
By 4-5 months infant’s weight approximately doubles birth weight.
Average weekly weight gain, 4-7 ounces (113.5-198.5 g).
Average monthly height gain, 1 inch (2.5 cm).
Pulse rate slows to 100-140 beats/minute.
Respirations, 20-40 breaths/minute.
Grasp becomes voluntary.
Sucking becomes voluntary.
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Motor development
Eyes focus on small objects, may pick a dangling ring.
Holds head up (when being pulled to sitting position).
Becomes more interested in environment.
Hand comes to meet rattle.
Listens—turns head to familiar sound. Sits with minimal support.
Intentional rolling over, back to side.
Reaches for offered objects.
Grasps objects with both hands and everything goes into mouth.
Socialization and vocalization
Laughs and chuckles socially.
Demands social attention by fussing.
Recognizes mother.
Begins to respond to “No, no.”
Enjoys being propped in sitting position.
Cognitive and emotional development
Actively interested in environment.
Enjoys attention; becomes bored when alone for long periods.
Recognizes bottle.
More interested in mother.
Indicates increasing trust and security.
Sleeps through night; has defined nap time.
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Play stimulation
Encourage mirror play.
Provide soft squeeze toys in vivid colors of varying textures.
Allow infant to splash in bath.
Infant still enjoys holding and playing with rattles.
Enjoys old-fashioned clothespins and playing pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo.
Parental guidance
Be certain button eyes on toys and other small objects cannot be pulled off.
Hold rattle and let infant reach and grasp it.
When infant is in high chair, strap in.
Move mobile out of reach—infant may grab it and cause injury.
Repeat child’s sounds.
Talk in varying degrees of loudness.
Begin looking at and naming pictures in book.
Begin roughhousing play by both parents.
Give space in playpen or on sheet on floor to practice rolling over.
Place on abdomen for part of playtime.
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16-26 Weeks (4-7 Months)
By 5-6 months, tonic neck reflex disappears.
By 6-7 months, palmar grasp disappears.
Two central lower incisors erupt.
Spine “C-shaped”—lacks lordotic and lumbar curves.
Eustachian tube short and horizontal, which may be a factor in ear infections. GI system mature enough for solid foods.
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Motor development
Shows momentary sitting with hand support.
Bounces and bears some weight when held in standing position.
Transfers and mouths objects in one hand.
Discovers feet.
Bangs objects together.
Rolls over well.
May begin some form of mobility.
Socialization and vocalization
Discriminates between strangers and familiar people.
Crows and squeals.
Starts to say “Ma,” “Da.”
Play is self-contained.
Laughs out loud.
Makes “talking” sounds in response to others’ talking.
Cognitive and emotional development
Secures objects by pulling on string.
Searches for lost objects that are out of sight.
Inspects objects; localizes sounds.
Likes to sit in high chair.
Drops and picks up objects.
Displays exploratory behavior with food.
Exhibits beginning fear of strangers.
Becomes fretful when mother leaves.
Shows much mouthing and biting.
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Play stimulation
Enjoys social games, hide-and-seek with adult, toys, and large blocks.
Likes to bang objects.
Plays in bounce chair and walker.
Enjoys large nesting toys (round rather than square).
Likes to drop and retrieve things.
Likes metal cups, wooden spoons, and things to bang with.
Loves crumpled paper.
Enjoys squeeze toys in bath.
Likes peek-a-boo, bye-bye, and pat-a-cake.
Parental guidance
Will play as long as you can.
Tie toys to chair with short string.
Let play with extra spoon at feeding.
Give soft finger foods.
Because infant puts everything in mouth, use safety precautions.
Keep small items away from infant; could choke on them.
Show excitement at achievements.
Supply safe kitchen items for toys.
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26-40 Weeks (7-10 Months)
By 7-9 months, develops eye-to-eye contact while talking; engages in social games.
Four upper incisors erupt around 7-9 months.
By 9-12 months, plantar reflex disappears.
By 9-12 months, neckrighting reflex disappears.
6-12 months
Average weekly weight gain, 3-5 ounces (85-141.7 g).
Average monthly height gain, ½ inch (1.25 cm).
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Motor development
Sits without support.
Recovers balance.
Manipulates objects with hands.
Unwraps objects.
Creeps.
Pulls self upright at crib rails.
Uses index finger and thumb to hold objects.
Rings a bell.
Can feed self a cracker and can hold a bottle. Chewing reflex develops.
Can control lips around cup.
Does not like supine position.
Can hold index finger and thumb in opposition.
Socialization and vocalization
Claps hands on request.
Responds to own name.
Is very aware of social environment.
Imitates gestures, facial expressions, and sounds.
Smiles at image in mirror.
Offers toy to adult, but does not release it.
Begins to test parental reaction during feeding and at bedtime.
Will entertain self for long periods.
Begins fear of strangers, 8 ½-10 months.
Cognitive and emotional development
Begins to imitate.
Shows more interest in picture books.
Enjoys achievements.
Has strong urge toward independence— locomotion, feeding, dressing.
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Play stimulation
Encourage use of motion toys—rocking horse and stroller.
Water play.
Imitate animal sounds.
Allow exploration outdoors.
Provide for learning by imitation.
Offer new objects (blocks).
Child likes freedom of creeping and walking, but closeness of family is important.
Good toys: plastic milk carton; bean bag for tossing; fabric books; things to move around, fill up, empty out; pile-up and knock-down toys.
Parental guidance
Protect from dangerous objects—cover electrical outlets, block stairs, remove breakable objects from tables.
Have child with family at mealtime.
Offer cup.
Talk and sing to infant.
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10-12 Months (1 Year)
Develops lordotic and lumbar curves to make walking possible.
Weight should approximately triple birth weight.
Two lower lateral incisors appear.
Four first molars appear by 14 months.
Child development theories
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Motor development
Cruises around furniture.
Beginning to stand alone and toddle.
Turns pages in book.
Tries tossing object.
Shows hand dominance.
Navigates stairs; climbs on chairs.
Builds a tower of two blocks.
Puts balls in box.
May use spoon.
Can release objects at will.
Has regular bowel movements.
Socialization and vocalization
Uses jargon.
Points to indicate wants.
Loves give-and-take game.
Responds to music.
Enjoys being center of attention and will repeat laughed-at activities.
Cognitive and emotional development
Shows fear, anger, affection, jealousy, anxiety, and sympathy.
Experiments to reach new goals.
Displays intense determination to remove barriers to action.
Begins to develop concepts of space, time, and causality.
Has increased attention span.
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Play stimulation
Ball play.
Cloth doll.
Motion objects and toys.
Transporting objects.
Name and point to body parts.
“Put-in” and “take-out” toys.
Sand box with spoons and other simple objects.
Blocks.
Music.
Parental guidance
Allow self-directed play rather than adultdirected play.
Continue to expose to foods of different texture, taste, smell, and substance.
Offer cup.
Show affection and encourage child to return affection.
Safety teaching: Child gets into everything within reach. Place medications in safe, locked place. Create a safe environment for child. Use stair guards, faucet protectors, and drawer locks. Have Poison Control Center phone number readily available.
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12-18 Months
Note: Between ages 1 and 3 years the child is called a “toddler.”
By 12-24 months, Landau reflex disappears.
Anterior fontanelle closes.
Abdomen protrudes, arms and legs lengthen.
Big muscles become well developed.
Four cuspids appear by 18 months.
Fine muscle coordination begins to develop.
Average yearly weight gain, 4½-6½ lb (2-3 kg).
Average height gain during second year, 4¾ inch (12 cm).
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Motor development
Walks up stairs with help, creeps downstairs.
Walks without support and with balance.
Falls less frequently.
Throws ball.
Stoops to pick up toys, look at bug.
Turns pages of book.
Holds and lifts cup.
Builds three-block tower.
Picks up and places small beads in container.
Begins to use spoon.
Cognitive and emotional development
Has vocabulary of 10 words that have meanings.
Uses phrases, imitates words.
Points to objects named by adult.
Follows directions and requests.
Imitates adult behavior.
Retrieves toy from several hiding places.
Psychosocial development
Develops new awareness of strangers.
Wants to explore everything in reach.
Plays alone, but near others.
Is dependent on parents, but begins to reach out for autonomy.
Finds security in a blanket, toy, or thumbsucking.
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Play stimulation
Allow unrestricted motor activity (within safety limits).
Offer push-pull toys.
Child selects favorite toy.
Child likes blocks, pyramid toys, teddy bears, dolls, pots and pans, cloth picture books with large colorful pictures, telephone, musical top, and nested blocks.
Parental guidance
Begin to teach toothbrushing to establish good dental habits; however, continue to brush child’s teeth.
Establish limits to give toddler sense of security, but encourage exploration.
Reinforce safety teaching.
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1 ½-2 Years
Protruding abdomen less noticeable.
During first 2 years, 14 inches (35 cm) are added to height.
Slight bowing of legs with a wide-based walk.
Handedness may become apparent.
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Motor development
Walks up and down stairs.
Opens doors; turns knobs.
Has steady gait.
Holds drinking cup well with one hand.
Uses spoon without spilling food (may prefer fingers).
Kicks a ball in front of him or her without support.
Builds a tower of four to six blocks.
Scribbles.
Rides tricycle or kiddie car (without pedals).
Cognitive development
Has 200-300 words in vocabulary.
Begins to use short sentences.
Refers to self by pronoun.
Obeys simple commands.
Does not know right from wrong.
Begins to learn about time sequences.
Psychosocial development
Uses word “mine” constantly.
Is possessive with toys.
Displays negativism—uses “no” as assertion of self.
Routine and rituals are important.
May begin cooperation in toilet training.
Resists restrictions on freedom.
Has fear of parents leaving.
Shows parallel play.
Dawdles.
Resists bedtime—uses transitional objects (blanket, toy).
Vacillates between dependence and independence.
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Play stimulation
Shows parallel play, although enjoys having other children around.
Has very short attention span.
Enjoys same toys as child of 18 months.
Likes doll play and balls.
Imitates parents in domestic activities.
Likes swing, hammering, paper, and large crayons.
Parental guidance
Has need for peer companionship, although displays immaturity by inability to share and take turns.
A decrease in appetite normally occurs at this stage.
Toilet training should be started (each child follows own pattern).
Begin to have child eat meals with family if not already doing so.
Begin to read to child; child likes storybooks with large pictures.
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2-3 Years
Height approximates one half adult height.
Legs are about 34% of body length.
Begins 5 lb (2.3 kg) or more weight gain per year until age 5 years.
At 2½ years has full set (20) of baby teeth.
Four second molars appear by 2½ years.
Height gain, 23/8-3¼ inches (6-8 cm).
Lordosis and protuberant abdomen of toddler disappear.
Child development theories
Freudian:
Eriksonian:
Piagetian:
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Motor development
Throws objects overhead.
Pedals tricycle.
Walks backward.
Washes and dries hands.
Begins to use scissors.
Can string large beads.
Can undress him- or herself.
Feeds himself well.
Tries to dance.
Jumps in place.
Builds tower of eight blocks.
Balances on one foot.
Swings and climbs.
Can eat an ice cream cone.
Drinks from a straw.
Chews gum without swallowing it.
Cognitive development
Shows increased attention span.
Gives first and last name.
Begins to ask “why.”
Is egocentric in thought and behavior.
Beginning ability to reflect on own behavior.
Talks in short sentences.
Uses plurals.
May attempt to sing simple songs.
Has vocabulary of 900 words.
Begins fantasy.
Begins to understand what it means to take turns.
Can repeat three numbers.
Shows interest in colors.
Psychosocial development
Negativism grows out of child’s sense of developing independence—says “no” to every command.
Ritualism is important to toddler for security (follows certain pattern, especially at bedtime).
Temper tantrums may result from toddler’s frustration in wanting to do everything for self.
Shows parallel play as well as beginning interaction with others.
Engages in associative play.
Fears become pronounced.
Continues to react to separation from parents but shows increasing ability to handle short periods of separation.
Has daytime bladder control and is beginning to develop nighttime bladder control.
Becomes more independent.
Begins to identify sex (gender) roles.
Explores environment outside the home.
Can create different ways of getting desired outcome.
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Play stimulation
Plays simple games with other children.
Enjoys storytelling and dress-up play.
Plays “house.”
Colors.
Uses scissors and paper.
Rides tricycle.
Read simple books to child.
Will assist in developing memory skills, visual discrimination skills, and language.
Parental guidance
From 2-3 years, the child develops a seeming maturity; do not expect more than child is able to do.
Arrange first visit to the dentist to have teeth checked.
Be aware that negativistic and ritualistic behavior is normal.
Be consistent in discipline.
Control temper tantrums.
Begin to teach traffic safety.
Supervise outdoor play.
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3-4 Years
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Motor development
Drawings have form and meaning, not detail.
Copies a circle and a cross.
Buttons front and side of clothes.
Laces shoes.
Bathes self, but needs direction.
Brushes teeth.
Shows continuous movement going up and down stairs.
Climbs and jumps well.
Attempts to print letters.
Cognitive development
Awareness of body is more stable; child becomes more aware of own vulnerability.
Is less negativistic.
Learns some number concepts.
Begins naming colors.
Can identify longer of two lines. Has vocabulary of 1,500 words.
Uses mild profanities and name-calling.
Uses language aggressively.
Asks many questions.
May not be abstract enough to understand body parts that cannot be seen or felt.
Can be given simple explanation as to cause and effect.
Thinks very concretely; demonstrates irreversibility of thought.
Immature concept of death—believes it is reversible.
Has beginning understanding of past and future.
Is egocentric in thought.
Psychosocial development
Is more active with peers and engages in cooperative play.
Performs simple tasks.
Frequently has imaginary companion.
Dramatizes experiences.
Is proud of accomplishments.
Exaggerates, boasts, and tattles on others.
Can tolerate separation from mother longer without feeling anxiety.
Is keen observer.
Has good sense of “mine” and “yours.”
Behavior still frequently ritualistic.
Becomes curious about life and sex. Often indulges in masturbation.
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Play stimulation
Plays and interacts with other children.
Shows creativity.
Likes ring-around-the-rosy. “Helps” adults.
Likes costumes and enjoys dramatic play.
Toys and games: record player, nursery rhymes, housekeeping toys, transportation toys (tricycle, trucks, cars, wagon), blocks, hammer and peg bench, floor trains, blackboard and chalk, easel and brushes, clay, crayon and finger paints, outside toys (sandbox, swing, small slide), books (short stories, action stories), drum, scrapbook.
Parental guidance
Base your expectations within child’s limitations.
Provide limited frustrations from environment to assist in coping.
Give small tasks to do around the house (putting silverware on table, drying a dish).
Expand child’s world with trips to the zoo, to the supermarket, to restaurant, etc.
Prevent accidents.
Provide for brief nonthreatening separation from parents and home.
Reinforce correct use of language.
Use opportunities for simple sexual education as child’s needs arise.
Accept masturbation as a normal phenomenon to be discouraged in public.
Provide consistent discipline, motivated by love rather than anger.
Consider nursery school.
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4-5 Years
Child development theories
Freudian:
Eriksonian:
Piagetian:
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Motor development
Hops two or more times.
Dresses without supervision.
Has good motor control—climbs and jumps well.
Walks up stairs without grasping handrail.
Walks backward.
Washes self without wetting clothes.
Prints first name and other words.
Adds three or more details in drawings.
Draws a square.
Cognitive development
Has 2,100-word vocabulary.
Talks constantly.
Uses adult speech forms.
Participates in conversations.
Asks for definitions.
Knows age and residence.
Identifies heavier of two objects.
Knows weeks as time units.
Names days of week.
Begins to understand kinship.
Knows primary colors.
Can count to 10.
Can copy a triangle.
Has high degree of imagination.
Questioning is at a peak.
Begins to develop power of reasoning.
Psychosocial development
May have an imaginary companion.
Has a sense of order (likes to finish what was started).
Is obedient and reliable.
Is protective toward younger children.
Begins to develop an elementary conscience with some influence in governing behavior.
Has increased self-confidence.
Accepts responsibility for acts.
Is less rebellious.
Has dreams and nightmares.
Is cooperative and sympathetic.
Shows generosity with toys.
Begins to question parents’ thinking.
Identifies strongly with parent of same sex.
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Play stimulation
Demonstrates gross motor activity—likes to jump rope, skip, climb on jungle gym, etc.
Prefers group play and cooperates in projects.
Plays simple letter, number, form, and picture games.
Plays with cars and trucks.
Still likes being read to.
Continues to enjoy fantasy play.
Parental guidance
Child no longer takes an afternoon nap.
Prepare child for kindergarten.
Tell him or her stories.
Provide opportunities and reassurance for group play; have his or her friends visit for lunch and an afternoon of playing.
Prevent accidents.
Encourage child’s participation in household activities.
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Middle Childhood (5-9 Years)
Growth rate is slow and steady.
Gains an average of 7 lb (3.2 kg) per year. Height increases approximately 2½ inch (6.3 cm) per year.
Among children there is considerable variation in height and weight.
Appears taller and slimmer.
Early lordosis disappears.
Begins to lose baby teeth; permanent teeth appear at a rate of about 4 teeth per year from 7-14 years.
Neuromuscular and skeletal development allows improved coordination.
Eyes become fully developed; vision approaches 20/20.
Handedness should be well developed.
Child development theories
Freudian:
Eriksonian:
Piagetian:
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Motor development
6 years
Is active and impulsive.
Balance improves.
Uses hands as manipulative tools in cutting, pasting, hammering.
Can draw large letters or figures.
7 years
Has lower activity level.
Capable of fine hand movements; can print sentences.
Nervous habits, such as nail biting, are common.
Muscular skills, such as ball throwing, have improved.
8 years
Moves with less restlessness.
Has developed grace and balance, even in active sports.
Has developed coordination of fine muscles, allowing child to write in script.
9 years
Cognitive development
6 years
Begins to learn to read. Defines objects in terms of use. Time sense is as much in past as present.
Is interested in relationship between home and neighborhood; knows some streets.
Uses sentences well; uses language to share others’ experiences; may swear or use slang.
Distinguishes morning from afternoon.
7 years
More reflective and has deeper understanding of meanings.
Interested in conclusions and logical endings. Begins to have scientific interests in cause and effect.
More responsible in relation to time, more punctual. Sense of space is more realistic; child wants some space of own.
Knows value of coins.
Concept of death maturing—includes idea of irreversibility.
8 years
Thinking is less animistic. Is aware of impersonal forces of nature. Begins to understand logical reasoning, conclusions, and implications.
Less self-centered in thinking. Personal space is expanding; goes places on own. Aware of time; plans events of day. Understands right from left.
9 years
Intellectually energetic and curious. Realistic; reasonable in thinking. Able to plan in advance. Breaks complex activities into steps.
Focuses on detail.
Sense of space includes the entire earth.
Participates in family discussions.
Likes to have secrets.
Psychosocial development
5-9 years
Still requires parental support, but pulls away from overt signs of affection.
Peer groups provide companionship in widening circle of persons outside the home. Child learns more about self as he or she learns about others.
“Chum” stage occurs at about age 9 or 10. Child chooses a special friend of same sex and age in whom to confide. This is usually child’s first love relationship outside of home, when someone becomes as important to him or her as oneself.
Play teaches the child new ideas and independence. Child progressively uses tools of competition, compromise, cooperation, and beginning collaboration.
Body image and self-concept are fluid because of rapid physical, emotional, and social changes.
Latency-stage sexual drive is controlled and repressed. Emphasis is on the development of skills and talent.
Patterns of play
6-7 years
Child acts out ideas of family and occupational groups with which he or she has contact.
Painting, pasting, reading, simple games, watching television, digging, running games, skating, riding bicycle, and swimming are all enjoyed activities.
8 years
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Parental guidance
Family atmosphere continues to have an impact on the child’s emotional development and future response within the family.
The child needs ongoing guidance in an open, inviting atmosphere. Limits should be set with conviction. Deal with only one incident at a time. When punishment is necessary, the child should not be humiliated. Child should know that it was the act that the adult found undesirable, not the child.
Needs assistance in adjusting to new experiences and demands of school. Should be able to share experiences with family. Parents need to have communication with the teacher to work together for the health of the child.
Convey love and caring in communication. The child understands language directed at feelings better than at intellect. Get down to eye level with the child.
Focus attention on child’s abilities and accomplishments rather than shortcomings and limitations.
The child is sex-conscious and should be able to discuss questions at home rather than with friends. Requires simple, honest answers to questions.
Common problems include teasing, quarreling, nail biting, enuresis, whining, poor manners, swearing, lying, cheating, and stealing. These are usually fleeting phases and should not be handled negatively. The causes for such behavior should be investigated and dealt with constructively.
The child needs order and consistency to help in coping with doubts, fears, unacceptable impulses, and unfamiliar experiences.
Encourage peer activities as well as home responsibilities and give recognition to child’s accomplishments and unique talents.
Television may stimulate learning in several spheres, but should be monitored.
Accidents are a major cause of disability and death. Safety practices should be continued. (Refer to section on safety, page 1415.)
Exercise is essential to promote motor and psychosocial development. The child should have a safe place to play and simple pieces of equipment.
A school health program should be available and concerned with the child’s physical, emotional, mental, and social health. This should be augmented by information and example at home.
Medical supervision should continue with yearly examination to detect developmental delay and disease. Appropriate immunizations should be administered.
The child frequently has “quiet days”— periods of shyness, which should be tolerated as part of growing up and deciding who he or she is.
The child may be subject to nightmares, a situation that requires reassurance and understanding.
Parents, teachers, and health professionals should be available and able to provide information and answer questions about the physical changes that occur.
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Late Childhood (9-12 Years)
Vital signs approach adult values.
Loses childish appearance of face and takes on features that will characterize individual as an adult.
Growth spurt occurs and some secondary sex characteristics appear: in girls, between ages 10 and 12 years; in boys, between ages 12 and 14 years.
Physical changes of puberty:
Physical changes in girls:
Physical changes in boys:
Size of testes increases; scrotum color changes; breasts enlarge, temporarily; height and shoulder breadth increase.
Appearance of lightly pigmented hair at base of penis.
Increase in length and width of penis.
Child development theories
Freudian:
Eriksonian:
Piagetian:
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Motor development
Energetic, restless, active movements such as finger-drumming or foot-tapping appear.
Has skillful manipulative movements nearly equal to those of adults.
Works hard to perfect physical skills.
Cognitive development
10 years
Likes to reason, enjoys learning.
Thinking is concrete, matter of fact.
Wants to measure up to challenge.
Likes to memorize, identify facts.
Attention span may be short. Space is rather specific (ie, where things are).
Can write for relatively long time with speed.
Likes action in learning.
Concentrates well when working competitively.
Can understand relational terms, such as weight and size.
Perceives space as nothingness that goes on forever.
Can discuss problems.
Can conceptualize symbolically enough to understand body parts.
Can describe some abstract terms.
12 years
Enjoys learning.
Considers all aspects of a situation.
Motivated more by inner drive than by competition.
Able to classify, arrange, and generalize.
Likes to discuss and debate.
Begins conceptual thinking.
Verbal, formal reasoning now possible.
Can recognize moral of a story.
Defines time as duration; likes to plan ahead.
Understands that space is abstract.
Can be critical of own work.
Psychosocial development
Gang becomes important and gang code takes precedence over nearly everything. Gang codes are typically characterized by collective action against the mores of the adult world. Here, children begin to work out their own social patterns without adult interference. Early gangs may include both sexes; later gangs are separated by sex.
May strive for unreasonable independence from adult control.
Usually interested in religion and morality.
Has increased interest in sexuality.
May reach puberty; resurgence of sexual drives causes recapitulation of Oedipal struggle.
Patterns of play
Continues to enjoy reading, TV, and table games.
More interested in active sports as a means to improve skills.
Creative talents may appear; may enjoy drawing and modeling clay. By age 10, sex differences in play become profound.
Occasional privacy is important.
Begins to have vocational aspirations.
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Parental guidance
Continue appropriate interventions related to early childhood.
Continue sex education and preparation for adolescent body changes.
Understanding is important.
Encourage participation in organized clubs and youth groups.
Democratic guidance is essential as child works through a conflict between dependence (on parents) and independence. The child needs realistic limits set.
Needs help channeling energy in proper direction—work and sports.
Requires adequate explanation of body changes. Special understanding is required for the child who lags in physical development.
Continue consistent disciplinary style.
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Early Adolescence (12-14 Years)
Phase of development begins when reproductive organs become functionally operative; phase ends when physical growth is completed.
Skeletal system grows faster than supporting muscles.
Hands and feet grow proportionately faster than rest of body.
Large muscles develop more quickly than small muscles.
Girls:
Physical changes include beginning of menarche; growth of axillary and perineal hair; deepened voice; ovulation; further development of breasts.
Nutritional need for iron and calcium increase dramatically.
Boys:
Physical changes include growth of axillary, perineal, facial, chest hair; deepening of voice; production of spermatozoa; nocturnal emissions.
Child development theories
Freudian:
Eriksonian:
Piagetian:
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Motor development
Cognitive development
Mind has great ability to acquire and use knowledge.
Abstract thinking is sufficient to learn multivariable ideas such as the influence of hormones on emotions.
Categorizes thoughts into usable forms.
May project thinking into the future.
Is capable of highly imaginative thinking.
Psychosocial development
Interest in opposite sex increases.
Often revolts from adult authority to conform to peer-group standards.
Continues to rework feelings for parent of opposite sex and unravel the ambivalence toward parent of same sex.
Affection may turn temporarily to an adult outside of the family (eg, crush on family friend, neighbor, or teacher).
Uses peer-group dialect—highly informal language or specially coined terminology.
Peer groups are especially important and help adolescent to define own identity, to adapt to changing body image, to establish more mature relationships with others, and to deal with heightened sexual feelings. Cliques may develop.
Dating generally progresses from groups of couples to double dates and finally single couples.
Teenage “hangouts” become important centers of activity.
Begins questioning existing moral values.
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Parental guidance
Stresses frequently result from conflicting value systems between generations. The parents may need help to see that the adolescent is a product of the times and that actions reflect what is happening around the youngster.
The parents’ limits and rules should be realistic and consistent. They should convey the parent’s love and concern and should be a source of comfort and reassurance, protecting the child from activities for which he or she is not ready.
The home should be an accepting, emotionally stable environment.
Continue sex education, including discussion of ovulation, fertilization, menstruation, pregnancy, contraception, masturbation, nocturnal emissions, and hygiene.
Adolescents have an increased need for rest and sleep because they are expending large amounts of energy and are functioning with an inadequate oxygen supply.
Recreational interests should be fostered. Favorite activities include sports, dating, dancing, reading, hobbies, and television. Socializing via telephone or computer and listening to music are favorite pastimes.
Adolescent health problems that require preventive education are accidents, obesity, acne, pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, and drug abuse.
Allow the adolescent to handle his or her own affairs as much as possible, but be aware of physical and psychosocial problems that may require help. Encourage independence but allow the child to lean on the parents for support when frightened or unable to attain goals.
Adolescents with special problems should have access to specialists, such as adolescent clinics and psychologists.
Requires reassurance and help in accepting a changing body image. Parents should make the most of the child’s positive qualities.
Give gentle encouragement and guidance regarding dating. Avoid strong pressures in either direction.
Understand conflicts as the child attempts to deal with social, moral, and intellectual issues.
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