The Elementary Years

Ages 6-10 years

Essential Question

What affect do elementary milestones have on a child’s success in school?

Physical Development

Girls may be taller and heavier Bones continue to ossify; face looks more

adult like Permanent teeth replace “baby teeth”

Physical Development

Postural habits are developed Fine motor skills are more and more

complex Reproductive system develops slowly at 9-

10 yrs

Intellectual-Cognitive Development

Knowledge explosion They are sponges for information

Brain reaching adult size 6 yr old has brief attention span By age 10 can focus for longer periods of

times

Intellectual-Cognitive Development

Move from learning simple numbers to doing simple math

Writing from print to cursive at 8-10 yrs 9-10 yrs: understands time (past, present,

future) Knows right from wrong Knows fantasy from reality Understands honesty and fairness

Psycho-Emotional Development

1st grade: parents & other adults are still central Like to abide by rules and please adults they

like Home life is most influential in their behavior

10 years: more influenced by peers Very expressive…move from one feeling to

another Grasp concepts of time and distance Sensitive to criticism and failure

Social Development

School is central to life between 6 & 10 yrs Enjoys friends, sleepovers, organized sports, &

video games Need to be cautious of too many activities

Need quiet and alone time Appropriate social behaviors learned at this time

Health Care (aspects of care)

Structure and schedule help to maintain order and discipline.

Monitoring of activity needed for injury prevention No contact sports

Consistency in daily activities/discipline for intellectual, emotional & social development

Health Care (aspects of care)

Regular health/dental care Catch communicable illness in school

Maintain immunization schedule

The Middle School Child

11-13 years of age

Activity

Write down on a piece of paper ….(do not write your name on the paper) What is the worst thing you experienced during

puberty? What is the best thing you experienced during

puberty? What is the one thing you would want a middle

school boy or girl to know about puberty?

Physical Development

Girls mature more rapidly Puberty occurs in most females at 12-13 but as

early as age 9! Menarche: onset of menstruation Remember they are still a child!

Males experience puberty usually around age 14

Puberty Changes in Girls

Estrogen production Mature egg production begins

Manarche occurs Breasts develop Hips widen

Shape becomes more rounded

Puberty Changes in Boys Testosterone production begins

Sperm production begins

External genitalia grow “wet dreams” may occur

Discharge of semen while boy sleeps Have no control over occurrence

Shoulders broaden Facial hair develops Significant musculature

develops

Puberty Changes in Both Boys and Girls

Grow taller Gain weight Body hair grows Voices deepen

Boys more than girls Increased muscle mass Acne

Physical Development

Bones grow, fusion continues Adequate calcium intake and weight-bearing

exercise are necessary for strong bones to develop

May appear “lanky”; all arms and legs Girls may begin to take on a more curvy

shape

Discussion

Is there increasing pressure on girls at a younger and younger age to behave in a more adult manner?

Do boys have this same pressure?

Intellectual-Cognitive Grades may slip

So many physical/psychological changes allow less energy for academics

Learning to think abstractly and critically Question the reason for things May lead to arguments

Preadolescent may express themselves through writing or music or physical activity

May tend to exaggerate or ‘fib’

Psycho-Emotional Crave independence yet unsure of

themselves Learning roles of sexuality

Need accurate information and may not be comfortable asking parentsSchool nurse/counselor

Temperamental/moody Incorporates behaviors of peers

Social Development

Striving to fit into a group Usually have same sex friends Girls express an earlier interest in male-female

relationships than do boys Peers are often largest source of support and

information…… Pros/cons?

Healthcare / Aspects of Care

Need assurance of love and value! Consistency in discipline and demands very

important. Parents should not be hypercritical or make too

many demands. Monitor friendships and associations Regular health care visits, immunizations Do not over schedule child’s time

Personal quiet time for reflection is necessary

Sexual Abuse in Children

1 in 5 girls, 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse

Children are most vulnerable between the ages of 7 and 13.

3 out of 4 children who have been sexually assaulted knew there abuser

What is sexual abuse?

Fondling Making a child touch an adult’s sexual organs Sexual intercourse Exposing children to pornographic material Indecent exposure And the list goes on……

Effects of Child Sexual Abuse

Extend far beyond childhood Robs children of their childhood Creates loss of trust Feelings of guilt / self-abusive behavior Depression / antisocial behavior Difficulty with intimate relationships later in

life.

Signs and Symptoms Children do not always verbalize abuse

Often too traumatized to tell “our little secret”

Nightmares Bed wetting / stranger anxiety Poor school performance Promiscuity / loss of innocence Substance abuse Running away from home

What to do…

Teach children how to say “NO” Teach children about “bad” touch Are they uncomfortable around certain adults? Supervise children….only leave them in the care of

individuals whom you deem safe Locker rooms Sleepovers Camping trips

video

The Adolescent

14-19 years

Discussion

Answer the following question on a piece of paper….NO NAME

What has been the most difficult part of your adolescent years?

What has been the best part of your adolescent years?

If you could have given yourself advise, what would it have been?

Lots of Physiological Changes

Developing their sexual identity Establishing increasing independence Making career and school choices Developing more mature/meaningful

relationships with peers and adults Preparing to assume their adult roles

Physical Development

Females attain their adult weight/height Males attain maximum height by age 25 Bone structure, genetics and health &

nutrition determine teens stature Weight control may be an issue Health problems of adulthood can be traced back

to lifelong habits.

Physical Development

Cardiac, respiratory, & digestive functions are

nearing adult stages Accurate education is necessary about

sexual behavior Can now reproduce

Cognitive-Intellectual Development

Early adolescents start to question peers and adults.

Need to work out answers that fit within their values Abstract and critical thinking

Cognitive-Intellectual Development

Still lacking foresight Often do not see the connection between

today’s behavior and tomorrow’s consequences May lead to experimentation of drugs,

alcohol, sex

Psycho-Emotional Development

Knows the socially acceptable ways to express feelings However pressure may result in angry

outbursts Appearance is worrisome as many feel

everyone is looking at them Fear and anxiety

Psycho-Emotional Development

Often feels alone and misunderstood “No one understands me”

Unrealistic sense of immortality or of being

invulnerable Leads to risk taking behavior “It wont happen to me” attitude

Social Development

Friendships are very important Goals include: learning effective interpersonal

skills, conflict resolution, comfortable with own style of communication

Social Development Concerned for welfare of others

Community service Take on problems

of friends

In later teen years, more comfortable with the company of parents Outgrow “embarrassment” of parents

Problems Faced by Teens

Eating Disorders Feel pressured to “look good” Anorexia Nervosa: leads to starvation

Extreme weight loss Intense fear of weight gain Refusal to eat or eating small portions Menstrual irregularity

Amenorrhea ~ Absence of period

Altered body imageSee themselves as fat

Eating Disorders Bulimia Nervosa: binge eating and purging

Overachieving behaviors Ritualistic food behaviors Avoidance of social food situations Excessive exercise / fasting Irregular menstruation or amenorrhea Teeth changes from acid in vomit Low self esteem May be of normal weight

Substance Abuse Experimentation and risk taking Alcohol, tobacco,marijuana, prescription

drugs, cocaine and heroin Signs to look for: personality changes,

withdrawal from family, change in friends, grades dropping, change in health or appearance

At risk teens: family history, low self-esteem, depression, and asense of ‘not fitting in’

Violence Takes many forms

Increased exposure leads to insensitivity to violenceMovies, video games, music

Poverty is a leading cause Being a victim at home Bullying

Can lead to homicidal actsHarbor resentment

Anger explodes

Sex STDs- educate to prevent!

Spread by blood-borne pathogens Teen Pregnancy

Associated with low birth weight, prematurity, cesarean delivery, child abuse

STDS

Suicide 3rd leading cause of death for 15-24 yr olds Higher in males although more female attempts

Warning signs include: depression, anger toward self, alcohol and/or substance abuse, changes in habits (sloppy), gifting personal items, verbal hints about committing suicide

What to do: listen, take it seriously, get help from an adult, do not promise to “keep the secret”, never assume it’s “just talk”

Healthcare / Aspects of Care

Teens need adequate calcium and exercise for strong bone development.

Need to know risks of sexual activity: pregnancy, STDs

Need to spend time enjoying friendships, sporting events, social events

Healthcare / Aspects of Care

Caregivers should: Listen Provide firm & friendly discipline Educate / Give facts Set limits and keep them Set examples of good behavior/taste REMEMBER what it was like! video