PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
We, as future parents and teachers, should be aware of the physical development of children. By understanding this, we will be able to help support the growth of our children. In this section, I will discuss central issues in regards to the physical development of infants, children, and adolescents.
Brain DevelopmentHow are the brains of children and adolescents similar to and different from the brains of adults?
All brains have a similar structure. They are divided into two hemispheres, which are connected by the corpus callosum. Each area of the brain handles some specialized functions. The brain is made up of neurons. Although infants have billions of neurons, they have relatively few synapses that connect them. In early brain development, synaptogenesis forms connections between neurons, and myelination improves the efficiency of the neural impulses. Unused synapses are pruned, but when an individual encounters typical experiences, experience-expectant brain development occurs and those synaptic connections are retained. When an individual encounters unique experiences, experience-dependent brain development occurs and new synapses are formed. Brain development continues through adolescence, especially the development of the prefrontal cortex.
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Disabilities Related to Brain Development
- Cerebral Palsy (a chronic condition that appears early in development and primarily involves problems with body movement and muscle coordination)
- Autism (a disorder that is characterized by difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive, compulsive behavior or interests)
Motor Development
Infants are born with a set of reflexes (see table below), but reflexes are fairly quickly replaced with voluntary movement as the nervous system matures.
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Development of the Five Senses
Vision:
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Body Growth and Changes
Growth during infancy until age two is very rapid. Children settle down to a steady growth rate in middle childhood, but as they approach adolescence, growth hormones work with sex hormones to produce a rapid increase in height in both boys and girls. This is known as the adolescent growth spurt.
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Below is a video titled, "Inside Puberty," that explains the process of puberty in adolescents.
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Nutrition
Why is healthy eating important?
Good nutrition is essential at each stage of development. Children who get off to a good start with a diet that contains a variety of healthy foods benefit not only in childhood but throughout adolescence and into adulthood. A healthful diet is particularly necessary to support the periods of rapid growth that occur in infancy and at the beginning of adolescence. |
Problems:
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