Chapter 11: physical development and health in middle school

Question 1

What are the growth patterns of height and weight?

Answer 1

• growth rate slows considerably
• body weight doubles during this stage
• 2-3 inches per year
• boys are slightly taller/heavier until 10 yo
• girls have somewhat more fatty tissue

Question 2

What are the growth patterns of the brain?

Answer 2

• changes in the brain structure to better support cognitive advances
• gradual increase in white matter and decrease of grey matter

Question 3

what are the development in vision and hearing?

Answer 3

• growth of the eustachian tube reduces ear infection
• myopia occurs in 29% of school-age children
• both heredity and environment contribute to myopia

Question 4

what are the changes in nutrition?

Answer 4

• healthy nutrition is still a challenge
• middle childhood children need to eat more (about double)
• eat breakfast before school
• schools play a part in nutrition

Question 5

what are the changes in sleep patterns and problems?

Answer 5

• 9-11 hours of sleep per day
• consequences of inadequate sleep: academic performance + risk of overweight/obesity
• related factors: screens, inactivity, smoke in environment, neighbourhood
• snoring/fragmented sleep: motor skills and language skills

Question 6

motor development (fine and gross)

Answer 6

fine motor: improvement of existing skills (dressing, washing, eating, etc.) + new skill development ( writing/typing, arts & crafts, musical instruments)

gross motor: improvement overall (balance, coordination, strength), muscles grow, myelination of connections between cerebellum and cortex, reaction time improves

Question 7

physical fitness facts

Answer 7

• 60 mins of activity per day
• families can encourage fitness
• elementary school do not include activity enough
• more time on schooling/homework/screens
• 2 hours max of screen time per day

Question 8

factors about obesity

Answer 8

• tripled since the 80s
• poor diet and too sedentary
• consequences: physical (diabetes, asthma, etc.), cognitive (academics), emotional risks (self esteem, rejection, etc.)

Question 9

dental health

Answer 9

tooth decay, 5-6 yo start to lose primary, orthodontist visits

Question 10

accidents

Answer 10

middle childhood are more mobile and independent which can lead to a higher risk of injury than preschool children

common under 20 yo, parents can help

Question 11

mental health in middle childhood

Answer 11

conduct disorders (misconduct), anxiety, depression, COVID impacted children