Physical Development

Children Ages 3 to 6 and 7 to 11

Body Growth

Early ChildhoodSlower > infancyAsynchronies -

unique patterns of maturation Rapid - lymph tissue

School-Age Children

Slow regular pattern

Brain Development

Early Childhood90% adult brain

weightMyelinationLateralizationCerebellum - gains in

motor controlReticular formation

School-Age Children

Mylenation continues

Nutrition

Early Childhood

Concerns about decline in appetite

School-Age Children

Obesity

Health Problems and Injuries

Early ChildhoodUnintentional Injuries

Auto accidents Fire Drowning Falls Poisoning Firearms

School-Age Children

Unintentional injuries continue to be problematic

Vision - myopia Illness - asthma

dramatic increase

Motor Development

Early ChildhoodGross Motor

Balance improves Simple to complex

Fine motor Self-sufficiency Hard: Tie shoes Drawing

School-Age ChildrenGains: Flexibility,

balance, agility, force Improved reaction timeDrawing - improved

organization, detail, depth cues, 3 dimensions

Factors Influencing Motor Development

Body buildOpportunitiesEncouragement

Play: Early Childhood

Nonsocial activity: onlooker behavior, solitary play

Parallel play: plays near with similar materials

Associative: separate activities but interact

Cooperative play common goal, same product

Play: Early Childhood

Parallel and solitary play remain stable, significant aspect of play

Cognitive maturity defined by types of play Functional -- simple, repetitive Constructive Make believe - - Sociodramatic play

Play: School-Age Children

Peer acceptancePeer rejectionControversial children - (mixed ratings)

Neglected children - seldom chosen, shy - actually usually do ok

Play: School-Age Children

Predictor of psychological adjustmentRejected - most problematic

Rejected aggressive Rejected withdrawn