Physical Development

Carrie Simpson2014

dubscorpio@gmail.com

I can thoughtfully observe and evaluate students’ social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development based on basic theoretical frameworks and developmental expectations.

I am aware of the important balance between knowing what to expect (theories, norms, patterns, milestones, etc.) and the human variation that is normal in such a complex set of processes.

I can begin to identify and support students in cases when development is advanced or delayed. 

I can use my analyses of students’ growth and development to better support their academic learning, in-school relationships, participation and engagement, and emotional health and wellbeing.

Objectives/”I Can” Statements

General Goals

Developmental framework Teaching practice Thoughtful observations, questioning,

and research

Many Factors Affect Growth & Development

HeredityRace/Ethnicity/CultureHealth/NutritionGenderEmotions and emotional climateSES

Infancy: Birth to 18-24 Months

Dramatic, rapid growthHalf our adult height (2 yrs.)4 times our birth weight (2 yrs.)

Brain Growth Spurt(3rd prenatal month until age 2 or 3)

At birth: 25% of adult brain weightAt 2 or 3 years: 75% of adult brain

weight

Early & Middle Childhood: Approximately Age 2-11

Slow, steady growthGain 2-3 in./ 5-7 lbs. per yearGain muscle mass and strengthLose baby fat6 years - teeth!!

Adolescent Growth Spurt

2-3 years long2-4 in./ 10-15 lbs. per yearGirls begin 2-3 yrs. earlier

(age 10/11 vs. age 12/13)

How does sensory processing affect school life and learning?

How does motor development affect school life and learning?

Motor development & sensory processing affect…

Comfort in bodySocial interactionsParticipation Self-esteemIdentity Energy levelAttention

Gross Motor Development: gaining control over the body’s large muscles for coordinated, effective movement

Children gain and refine skills as they grow physically larger and gain strength, speed, and coordination.

Over time children are…

Smoother and more graceful More efficient and precise Stronger and faster More agile More balanced More confident More adventurous Better able to estimate abilities

Fine Motor Development

Coordination of eyes and fingers to work accurately and quickly to create & construct

Requires core stability & gross motor control to move body, arms, and hands together smoothly

Graphomotor Development

Coordination of small muscles at the end of fingers to form letters while writing (rapid motor sequencing)

Requires core stability & gross motor control to move body, arm, and hand together smoothly

Sensory Integration

Definition: The involuntary process by which the brain assembles a picture of our environment at each moment using information from all our senses

Sensory seekingSensory avoidant

How We Process…

1. Sensory Registration

2. Orientation to Stimuli

3. Interpretation

4. Organizing a Response

5. Execution of a Response

Supporting Children

Educated observationsThoughtful questionsEffective support plans

“In order to be treated fairly and equally, children have to be treated differently.”

(Melvin Konner, Childhood: A Multicultural View)