How does a preschool childs body change? Early Childhood: Age 2
to 6 Biosocial Development
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What happens when children grow? Body slims down taller &
thinner Center of gravity lowers Enables swinging, gymnastics, etc.
2 years old6 years old
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How does nutrition effect children? Overweight children =
overweight adults Diabetes Heart disease
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How do cavities & gum disease effect children? Early tooth
decay = most common disease in young children in developed
countries Harms permanent teeth Jaw malformation, speech Overall
health
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Do you remember? What body changes do children go through from
2 6 years old? What is the effect of being overweight in young
children? What is the effect of poor dental hygiene in young
children?
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What about brain development?
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Myelination Myelin coating of axons Speeds brain processing
Focused on the motor and sensory areas
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Corpus callosum Connects right and left hemispheres Increases
coordination Increases communication between both sides of the
brain Lateralization Each side specializing
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Left hemisphere controls right side Left is language &
speech Left is logical Detailed analysis Detail focused
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Right hemisphere controls left side Creative Emotional Big
picture focused
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All thinking required both sides of the brain
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Prefrontal cortex Executive brain Planning, analyzing,
prioritizing Immaturity = Impulsiveness & tendency to persevere
(keep repeating) E.g. Are we there yet? Longest period of
development Matures during adolescence
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Do you remember? What does myelination do? What does the corpus
callosum do? What do the left and right hemispheres do? What does
the prefrontal cortex do?
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Emotions Based on the limbic system Amygdala Hippocampus
Hypothalamus Aid in emotional expression and control
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Amygdala Registers positive & negative emotions Related to
night terrors Children model after parents
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Hippocampus Memory Can work with amygdala to recall
emotions
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Hypothalamus Produces hormones to activate parts of the body in
response to signals from the amygdala and hippocampus. E.g. stress
and the fight or flight syndrome
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Motor skills Gross Large muscles E.g. riding a bike, swinging,
kicking a ball Fine Small muscles Writing, drawing, pouring juice
Girls tend to develop 6 mos. Earlier than boys
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Do you remember? What does the limbic system do? What produces
emotions? What helps with memory? What helps you in fight or flight
situations? What are gross and fine motor skills?
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Injuries and abuse
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Three levels of prevention for avoidable injuries Primary
prevention Preventing a high risk situation from ever existing E.g.
Sidewalks and overpasses Secondary prevention Reducing the risk in
an existing high risk situation Salt on roads Crossing guards
Tertiary prevention Reducing damage after injury Emergency room
procedures HEPA filters for children with asthma
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What are the types of child maltreatment? Child abuse
Deliberate physical, emotional, or sexual harm Child neglect
Failure to meet physical or emotional needs Law required reporting
suspected maltreatment Abuse Neglect
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What are the symptoms of maltreatment? Injuries Fantasy play
violence & sexual Hostility Impulsive reactions E.g. Cringing
Fear of caregiver Hypervigilance
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Do you remember? What are the three levels of prevention of
childhood injuries? Give examples of each Which level pf prevention
reduces injury after injury? What is the difference between child
abuse and child neglect? Give examples of each What symptoms would
you look for in children you suspect of maltreatment?