Childhood and Adolescence

Question 1

Aspects of cognitive development of children

Answer 1

• Psychomotor skills
• Perception
• Memory
• Language
• Reasoning

Question 2

Aspects of social development of children

Answer 2

• Attachments
• How to behave/rules
• Relationships
• Peer friendships

Question 3

Piaget’s approach to how children development

Answer 3

• Children progress through a series of fixed stages
• Stages appear related to brain growth
• Brain not fully developed until late adolescence

Question 4

Erikson’s approach to how children develop

Answer 4

• Psychosocial rather than sexual stages of development
• Each stage has a normative crisis (struggle between 2 conflicting personalities)

Question 5

Vygotsky’s approach to how children develop

Answer 5

• Emphasises social and cultural influences
• “Zone of proximal development” –> space between what child can do without assistance vs with adult

Question 6

Reasons for variation in development

Answer 6

• Individual differences
• Environmental factors
• Developmental/congenital disorders

Question 7

Worry signs to look for up to 24 months

Answer 7

• Loss of skill or language (any)
• No babble or gesture (12 months)
• No single words (18 months)
• No 2 spontaneous words (24 months)

Question 8

Worry signs to look for by 2/3 years onwards

Answer 8

• Communication problems
• Lack of poor eye contact
• Extreme emotional reactions + aggression
• Over-/under-sensitivity to stimuli

Question 9

What is precocious puberty?

Answer 9

• Girls show signs of puberty before 8
• Boys show signs of puberty before 9

Question 10

Signs of precocious puberty in girls

Answer 10

• Breast development
• Pubic/underarm hair development
• Rapid height growth
• Onset of menstruation
• Acne
• “Mature” body odour

Question 11

Signs of precocious puberty in boys

Answer 11

• Enlargement of testicles/penis
• Pubic/underarm/facial hair
• Rapid height growth
• Voice deepening
• Acne
• “Mature” body odour

Question 12

Cause of precocious puberty

Answer 12

Hypothalamus signals to pituitary gland to release hormones that stimulate ovaries/testicles to make sex hormones

Question 13

Consequences of precocious puberty

Answer 13

• Induces early bone maturation –> reduces eventual height
• Emotional + social consequences
• Can be harmful to children mature physically but not mentally
• Sex drive inappropriate for age
• Could indicate presence of tumour

Question 14

What age does adolescence begin, and what is it marked by?

Answer 14

• 10 (WHO)
• Onset of puberty
  > Attainment of reproductive maturity
  > Secondary sexual characteristics

Question 15

Which tissues are significantly increased in boys and girls during puberty?

Answer 15

• Boys = muscle
• Girls = fatty tissue

Question 16

What are definite markers of puberty

Answer 16

• First period
• First ejaculation

Question 17

What affects a young persons body image?

Answer 17

• Pressure to live up to ideal body image
• Media
• Parents/family members
• Peers

Question 18

Types of children in terms of peer acceptance and popularity

Answer 18

• Popular children = liked by many + disliked by few
• Rejected children = disliked by many + liked by few
• Neglected children = few nominations as either
• Controversial children = liked + disliked by many
• Average status children = liked + disliked by moderate number

Question 19

Consequences of peer popularity

Answer 19

• Pleasant temperament + academic skills
• Good social-cognitive skills + behave in socially competent way

Question 20

What are babies of adolescent mothers at higher risk of?

Answer 20

• Low birth weight
• Preterm
• Severe neonatal conditions

Question 21

What is adolescent pregnancy associated with?

Answer 21

• Neonatal morbidity + mortality
• Increased risk of STDs
• Less opportunities in life

Question 22

Building blocks of a healthy life

Answer 22

• Having a place to call home
• Secure + rewarding work
• Supportive relationships (friends, family, community)