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Chapter 10

Childhood Growth and Development

© Gallahue, D.L., & Ozmun, J.C.. Understanding Motor Development.

McGraw-Hill

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Key Concept

Development During the Period of Childhood Is

Marked by Steady, Incremental Changes in the

Cognitive, Affective, and Motor Domains.

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Early Childhood: Changes in Height/Weight (Figures 10.1-4)

Growth rate decelerates from earlier pace- Birth length doubles by age 4 (1/2 as

much gain as during first 2 yrs)- Weight gain from age 2-5 is less than

total of first 2 yrs Slow but steady growth rate

- Height: 2 in (5.1cm) yearly to puberty- Weight: 5 lbs (2.3kg) yearly- Gender differences: minimal

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Early Childhood (ages 2 to 6): Changes in Body Proportions

Chest becomes larger than abdomen

Stomach protrudes less 1st grader’s (6 yr olds) body

looks like older child

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Early Childhood: Changes in Brain/Neural/Sensory Growth

Brain growth (size 75% complete by age 3, 90% by age 6, midbrain complete at birth, cerebral cortex complete by age 4)

Neural growth (myelination complete by end of early childhood)

Eye growth (retina complete by age 6, eyeball size by 12, preschoolers tend to be farsighted)

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Early Childhood: Changes in Brain/Neural/Sensory Growth

Ear growth (short eustachian tube, more ear infections)

Taste buds (greater number, increased sensitivity to sensitivity)

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Early Childhood: Developmental Characteristics

Physical & motor development Cognitive development Affective development Implications for developmental

movement programs

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Later Childhood (Ages 6-10): Changes in Height/Weight (Figures 10.1-10.4)

Slow steady gains in height & weight Period of lengthening & filling out Minimal changes in body build Minimal sex differences in weight Boys: longer arms, legs, & slightly

taller than girls until puberty Girls: larger hips & thighs than boys

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Later Childhood: Changes in Brain/Neural/Sensory Growth Slow brain growth (head

broadens & lengthens at puberty)

Neural growth complete Visual perceptual abilities

refined

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Later Childhood: Developmental Characteristics

Physical & motor development Cognitive development Affective development Implications for the

developmental movement program

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Nutritional Factors Affecting Childhood Motor Development Chronic malnutrition during first 4 yrs

(severity, duration, timing & catch-up )- Permanent lags - The developing world (growth retardation. Rickets, pellagra, scurvy, kwashiorkor) - The USA & other developed countries (anemia, & lags in motor milestones)

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Exercise and Injury Physical activity vs. Inactivity (muscle

hypertrophy vs. atrophy)- Too little (>fat mass, >muscle atrophy)- Too much (epiphyseal injuries = growth plate damage, muscle & tissue injuries)- Just right (>muscle development, >lean body mass, >bone mineralization, <decreased fat)

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Classification of Physique Sheldon method (body types: #s 1-

7; 1=least & 7=most of a quality) Extreme physique types - Endomorph (rounded, 7-1-1)

- Mesomorph (muscular, 1-7-1)- Ectomorph (angular, 1-1-7)

Typical- males (3-4-4)- females (5-3-3)

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Illness, Climate, and Secular Trends

Illness (duration, severity, timing) Climate (too many interactive effects to

draw definitive conclusions) Secular trends (nutrition is a key to both

positive & negative generational changes)- height (static in first world)- weight (>body weight in USA)- sexual maturation (<menarche in USA)

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Concluding Concept

Age of Onset, Duration, and Severity Determine How a

Variety of Physical Activity and Nutrition Factors Influence

Later Development.