PSYCH 11: Chapter 4 - Early Childhood
Early Childhood - correct answer-2-6 years
tend to grow about 3 inches in height and gain about 4 to 5 pounds in weight each year.
This growth rate is slower than that of infancy and is accompanied by a reduced appetite
between the ages of 2 and 6. This change can sometimes be surprising to parents and lead
to the development of poor eating habits. However, children between the ages of 2 and 3
need 1,000 to 1,400 calories, while children between the ages of 4 and 8 need 1,200 to
2,000 calories.
Concepts such as tomorrow, time, size, distance and fact vs. fiction are not easy to grasp at
this age, but these tasks are all part of cognitive development during early childhood.
Brain weight - correct answer-The brain is about 75 percent its adult weight by three years of
age. By age 6, it is at 95 percent its adult weight (Lenroot & Giedd, 2006). Myelination and
the development of dendrites continue to occur in the cortex and as it does, we see a
corresponding change in what the child is capable of doing.
Brain Maturation - correct answer-Between ages 3 and 6, the left hemisphere of the brain
grows dramatically. This side of the brain or hemisphere is typically involved in language
skills. The right hemisphere continues to grow throughout early childhood and is involved in
tasks that require spatial skills, such as recognizing shapes and patterns.
corpus callosum - correct answer-A dense band of fibers that connects the two hemispheres
of the brain.
Contains approximately 200 million nerve fibers that connect the hemispheres.
Located a couple of inches below the longitudinal fissure, which runs the length of the brain
and separates the two cerebral hemispheres.
because the two hemispheres carry out different functions, they communicate with each
other and integrate their activities through the corpus callosum.
The corpus callosum undergoes a growth spurt between ages 3 and 6, and this results in
improved coordination between right and left hemisphere tasks.
For example, in comparison to other individuals, children younger than 6 demonstrate
difficulty coordinating an Etch A Sketch toy becasue their corpus callosum is not developed
enough to integrate the movements of both hands.
Motor Skill Development - correct answer-Table 4.1
,Children's Art - correct answer-By 4 or 5 children are creating images that are more
recognizable representations of the world. These changes are a function of improvement in
motor skills, perceptual development, and cognitive understanding of the world.
Tadpoles - correct answer-Tadpoles emerge in children's drawing at about the age of 3 and
have been observed in the drawings of young children around the world, but there are
cultural variations in the size, number of facial features, and emotional expressions
displayed. Gernhardt et al. found that children from Western contexts (i.e., urban areas of
Germany and Sweden) and
urban educated non-Western contexts (i.e., urban areas of Turkey, Costa Rica and Estonia)
drew larger images, with more facial detail and more positive emotional expressions, while
those from non-Western rural contexts (i.e., rural areas of Cameroon and India) depicted
themselves as smaller, with less facial details and a more neutral emotional expression. The
authors suggest that cultural norms of non-Western traditionally rural cultures, which
emphasize the social group rather than the individual, may be one of the factors for the
smaller size of the figures compared to the larger figures from children in the Western
cultures which emphasize the individual.
Toilet Training - correct answer-Toilet training typically occurs during the first two years of
early childhood (24-36 months).
The child's age is not as important as his/her physical and emotional readiness. If started too
early, it might take longer to train a child. If a child resists being trained, or it is not successful
after a few weeks, it is best to take a break and try again later.
Most children master daytime bladder control first, typically within two to three months of
consistent toilet training. However, nap and nighttime training might take months or even
years.
Elimination Disorders - correct answer-Difficulty managing the elimination of bodily wastes,
for example, difficulty controlling urination.
Enuresis - the repeated voiding of urine into bed or clothes (involuntary or intentional).
Encopresis - the repeated passage of feces into inappropriate places (involuntary or
intentional)
Sleep - correct answer-Figure 4.6
Sexual Development - correct answer-Sexuality begins in childhood as a response to
physical states and sensation and cannot be interpreted as similar to that of adults in any
way.
Infants begin to explore their bodies and touch their genitals as soon as they have the
sufficient motor skills. This stimulation is for comfort or to relieve tension rather than to reach
orgasm.
, Self-stimulation is common in early childhood for both boys and girls. Curiosity about the
body and about others' bodies is a natural part of early childhood as well. As children grow,
they are more likely to show their genitals to siblings or peers, and to take off their clothes
and touch each other.
Nutritional Concerns - correct answer-In addition to those in early childhood having a smaller
appetite, their parents may notice a general reticence to try new foods, or a preference for
certain foods, often served or eaten in a particular way. Some of these changes can be
traced back to the "just right" (or just-so) phenomenon that is common in early childhood.
Many young children desire consistency and may be upset if there are even slight changes
to their daily routines.
Malnutrition due to insufficient food is not common in developed nations, like the United
States, yet many children lack a balanced diet. Added sugars and solid fats contribute to
40% of daily calories for children and teens in the US. Approximately half of these empty
calories come from six sources: soda, fruit drinks, dairy desserts, grain desserts, pizza, and
whole milk.
Caregivers need to keep in mind that they are setting up taste preferences at this age.
Young children who grow accustomed to high fat, very sweet and salty flavors may have
trouble eating foods that have subtler flavors, such as fruits and vegetables.
Healthy Eating Patterns - 1 - correct answer-Recognize that appetite varies. Children may
eat well at one meal and have no appetite at another. Rather than seeing this as a problem,
it may help to realize that appetites do
vary. Continue to provide good nutrition, but do not worry excessively if the child does not
eat at a particular meal.
Healthy Eating Patterns - 2 - correct answer-Keep it pleasant. This tip is designed to help
caregivers create a positive atmosphere during mealtime. Mealtimes should not be the time
for arguments or expressing tensions. You do not want the child to have painful memories of
mealtimes together or have nervous stomachs and problems eating and digesting food due
to stress.
Healthy Eating Patterns - 3 - correct answer-No short order chefs. While it is fine to prepare
foods that children enjoy, preparing a different meal for each child or family member sets up
an unrealistic expectation from others. Children probably do best when they are hungry, and
a meal is ready. Limiting snacks rather than allowing children to "graze" can help create an
appetite for what is being served.
Healthy Eating Patterns - 4 - correct answer-Limit choices. If you give your young child
choices, make sure that you give them one or two specific choices rather than asking "What
would you like for lunch?" If given an open choice, children may change their minds or ask
for something that is not available or appropriate.
Healthy Eating Patterns - 5 - correct answer-Serve balanced meals. This tip encourages
caregivers to serve balanced meals. A box of macaroni and cheese is not a balanced meal.
Meals prepared at home tend to have better nutritional value than fast food or frozen
Early Childhood - correct answer-2-6 years
tend to grow about 3 inches in height and gain about 4 to 5 pounds in weight each year.
This growth rate is slower than that of infancy and is accompanied by a reduced appetite
between the ages of 2 and 6. This change can sometimes be surprising to parents and lead
to the development of poor eating habits. However, children between the ages of 2 and 3
need 1,000 to 1,400 calories, while children between the ages of 4 and 8 need 1,200 to
2,000 calories.
Concepts such as tomorrow, time, size, distance and fact vs. fiction are not easy to grasp at
this age, but these tasks are all part of cognitive development during early childhood.
Brain weight - correct answer-The brain is about 75 percent its adult weight by three years of
age. By age 6, it is at 95 percent its adult weight (Lenroot & Giedd, 2006). Myelination and
the development of dendrites continue to occur in the cortex and as it does, we see a
corresponding change in what the child is capable of doing.
Brain Maturation - correct answer-Between ages 3 and 6, the left hemisphere of the brain
grows dramatically. This side of the brain or hemisphere is typically involved in language
skills. The right hemisphere continues to grow throughout early childhood and is involved in
tasks that require spatial skills, such as recognizing shapes and patterns.
corpus callosum - correct answer-A dense band of fibers that connects the two hemispheres
of the brain.
Contains approximately 200 million nerve fibers that connect the hemispheres.
Located a couple of inches below the longitudinal fissure, which runs the length of the brain
and separates the two cerebral hemispheres.
because the two hemispheres carry out different functions, they communicate with each
other and integrate their activities through the corpus callosum.
The corpus callosum undergoes a growth spurt between ages 3 and 6, and this results in
improved coordination between right and left hemisphere tasks.
For example, in comparison to other individuals, children younger than 6 demonstrate
difficulty coordinating an Etch A Sketch toy becasue their corpus callosum is not developed
enough to integrate the movements of both hands.
Motor Skill Development - correct answer-Table 4.1
,Children's Art - correct answer-By 4 or 5 children are creating images that are more
recognizable representations of the world. These changes are a function of improvement in
motor skills, perceptual development, and cognitive understanding of the world.
Tadpoles - correct answer-Tadpoles emerge in children's drawing at about the age of 3 and
have been observed in the drawings of young children around the world, but there are
cultural variations in the size, number of facial features, and emotional expressions
displayed. Gernhardt et al. found that children from Western contexts (i.e., urban areas of
Germany and Sweden) and
urban educated non-Western contexts (i.e., urban areas of Turkey, Costa Rica and Estonia)
drew larger images, with more facial detail and more positive emotional expressions, while
those from non-Western rural contexts (i.e., rural areas of Cameroon and India) depicted
themselves as smaller, with less facial details and a more neutral emotional expression. The
authors suggest that cultural norms of non-Western traditionally rural cultures, which
emphasize the social group rather than the individual, may be one of the factors for the
smaller size of the figures compared to the larger figures from children in the Western
cultures which emphasize the individual.
Toilet Training - correct answer-Toilet training typically occurs during the first two years of
early childhood (24-36 months).
The child's age is not as important as his/her physical and emotional readiness. If started too
early, it might take longer to train a child. If a child resists being trained, or it is not successful
after a few weeks, it is best to take a break and try again later.
Most children master daytime bladder control first, typically within two to three months of
consistent toilet training. However, nap and nighttime training might take months or even
years.
Elimination Disorders - correct answer-Difficulty managing the elimination of bodily wastes,
for example, difficulty controlling urination.
Enuresis - the repeated voiding of urine into bed or clothes (involuntary or intentional).
Encopresis - the repeated passage of feces into inappropriate places (involuntary or
intentional)
Sleep - correct answer-Figure 4.6
Sexual Development - correct answer-Sexuality begins in childhood as a response to
physical states and sensation and cannot be interpreted as similar to that of adults in any
way.
Infants begin to explore their bodies and touch their genitals as soon as they have the
sufficient motor skills. This stimulation is for comfort or to relieve tension rather than to reach
orgasm.
, Self-stimulation is common in early childhood for both boys and girls. Curiosity about the
body and about others' bodies is a natural part of early childhood as well. As children grow,
they are more likely to show their genitals to siblings or peers, and to take off their clothes
and touch each other.
Nutritional Concerns - correct answer-In addition to those in early childhood having a smaller
appetite, their parents may notice a general reticence to try new foods, or a preference for
certain foods, often served or eaten in a particular way. Some of these changes can be
traced back to the "just right" (or just-so) phenomenon that is common in early childhood.
Many young children desire consistency and may be upset if there are even slight changes
to their daily routines.
Malnutrition due to insufficient food is not common in developed nations, like the United
States, yet many children lack a balanced diet. Added sugars and solid fats contribute to
40% of daily calories for children and teens in the US. Approximately half of these empty
calories come from six sources: soda, fruit drinks, dairy desserts, grain desserts, pizza, and
whole milk.
Caregivers need to keep in mind that they are setting up taste preferences at this age.
Young children who grow accustomed to high fat, very sweet and salty flavors may have
trouble eating foods that have subtler flavors, such as fruits and vegetables.
Healthy Eating Patterns - 1 - correct answer-Recognize that appetite varies. Children may
eat well at one meal and have no appetite at another. Rather than seeing this as a problem,
it may help to realize that appetites do
vary. Continue to provide good nutrition, but do not worry excessively if the child does not
eat at a particular meal.
Healthy Eating Patterns - 2 - correct answer-Keep it pleasant. This tip is designed to help
caregivers create a positive atmosphere during mealtime. Mealtimes should not be the time
for arguments or expressing tensions. You do not want the child to have painful memories of
mealtimes together or have nervous stomachs and problems eating and digesting food due
to stress.
Healthy Eating Patterns - 3 - correct answer-No short order chefs. While it is fine to prepare
foods that children enjoy, preparing a different meal for each child or family member sets up
an unrealistic expectation from others. Children probably do best when they are hungry, and
a meal is ready. Limiting snacks rather than allowing children to "graze" can help create an
appetite for what is being served.
Healthy Eating Patterns - 4 - correct answer-Limit choices. If you give your young child
choices, make sure that you give them one or two specific choices rather than asking "What
would you like for lunch?" If given an open choice, children may change their minds or ask
for something that is not available or appropriate.
Healthy Eating Patterns - 5 - correct answer-Serve balanced meals. This tip encourages
caregivers to serve balanced meals. A box of macaroni and cheese is not a balanced meal.
Meals prepared at home tend to have better nutritional value than fast food or frozen
