Let us learn about development
2 through childhood
The foundation of growth takes place during the pre natal and infant stages of life.
Studies have shown that 80% of brain cells are formed by the age of 3 years. At
this stage a rapid physical growth is also seen. Physical growth means an increase
in height and weight. By measuring growth parameters (height and weight) we can
determine whether the child is growing adequately. Muscle strength and mobility
are developed with physical growth. Mental and social skills are developed through
interactions with the environment. This is known as a child’s psycho-social
development.
Understanding the psycho-social development of a child helps identify the needs,
importance of fulfilling the needs and ways of fulfilling them. This knowledge will
help you in the future.
In the previous classes we learnt how to lead a healthy life through balancing
different needs in different situations. In this lesson let us learn the stages in
childhood and how their needs could be provided.
Stages in childhood
1. Prenatal stage - the period inside the mother’s womb
2. Neonatal stage - the first 4 weeks after birth
3. Infant stage - from the first to the twelfth month
4. Early childhood - from 1 year to 5 years
5. Late childhood - from 6 years to 10 years
14
, Points to know before becoming a mother.
1. Although the Sri Lankan law permits a girl to get married once she
completes 18 years, it is important to ascertain whether she has adequate
physical and mental maturity. She should be mentally and socially stable.
The family should be financially stable to bring up a child.
2. It is important to prevent marriages between blood relatives, (e.g: first
cousins or close relatives) as this could lead to some genetic disorders
in the off spring, (e.g: Thalassaemia). This is an important factor to be
considered when considering marriage and pregnancy. Bad effects can be
prevented by a well planned marriage.
3. Folic acid is very important for a woman who is planning on becoming
pregnant after marriage. Sufficient folic acid levels in her body before
and during pregnancy helps to prevent the baby developing brain
and spinal cord abnormalities. Therefore a woman who is planning a
pregnancy should begin taking folic acid supplements weeks before she
gets pregnant. (Folic acid is present in green leaves found plenty in Sri
Lanka)
4. It is important for every girl who has completed 15 years, to get the
rubella vaccination to prevent getting German measles. (If a female has
not received this rubella or MMR vaccine before, it is advised to get the
vaccination at least three months before getting pregnant.)
5. A woman hoping to get pregnant after marriage, should plan it properly.
Medical advice can be sought from health services, attending family
health clinics and maternity clinics with proper planning. A girl can have
an uncomplicated pregnancy and safe motherhood with proper planning.
Prenatal stage (In mother’s womb)
Prenatal stage is the period from the moment the sperm
unites with the ovum until the birth.
The period during pregnancy and the moment of child
birth are the happiest moments in the life of parents. Every
pregnancy should be well-planned and prepared. A pregnant
mother should be in very good physical and mental state.
This is essential for the healthy growth of the new born
baby. During the pre natal stage the mother should be aware
of the progress of her pregnancy.
Figure 2.1
15
2 through childhood
The foundation of growth takes place during the pre natal and infant stages of life.
Studies have shown that 80% of brain cells are formed by the age of 3 years. At
this stage a rapid physical growth is also seen. Physical growth means an increase
in height and weight. By measuring growth parameters (height and weight) we can
determine whether the child is growing adequately. Muscle strength and mobility
are developed with physical growth. Mental and social skills are developed through
interactions with the environment. This is known as a child’s psycho-social
development.
Understanding the psycho-social development of a child helps identify the needs,
importance of fulfilling the needs and ways of fulfilling them. This knowledge will
help you in the future.
In the previous classes we learnt how to lead a healthy life through balancing
different needs in different situations. In this lesson let us learn the stages in
childhood and how their needs could be provided.
Stages in childhood
1. Prenatal stage - the period inside the mother’s womb
2. Neonatal stage - the first 4 weeks after birth
3. Infant stage - from the first to the twelfth month
4. Early childhood - from 1 year to 5 years
5. Late childhood - from 6 years to 10 years
14
, Points to know before becoming a mother.
1. Although the Sri Lankan law permits a girl to get married once she
completes 18 years, it is important to ascertain whether she has adequate
physical and mental maturity. She should be mentally and socially stable.
The family should be financially stable to bring up a child.
2. It is important to prevent marriages between blood relatives, (e.g: first
cousins or close relatives) as this could lead to some genetic disorders
in the off spring, (e.g: Thalassaemia). This is an important factor to be
considered when considering marriage and pregnancy. Bad effects can be
prevented by a well planned marriage.
3. Folic acid is very important for a woman who is planning on becoming
pregnant after marriage. Sufficient folic acid levels in her body before
and during pregnancy helps to prevent the baby developing brain
and spinal cord abnormalities. Therefore a woman who is planning a
pregnancy should begin taking folic acid supplements weeks before she
gets pregnant. (Folic acid is present in green leaves found plenty in Sri
Lanka)
4. It is important for every girl who has completed 15 years, to get the
rubella vaccination to prevent getting German measles. (If a female has
not received this rubella or MMR vaccine before, it is advised to get the
vaccination at least three months before getting pregnant.)
5. A woman hoping to get pregnant after marriage, should plan it properly.
Medical advice can be sought from health services, attending family
health clinics and maternity clinics with proper planning. A girl can have
an uncomplicated pregnancy and safe motherhood with proper planning.
Prenatal stage (In mother’s womb)
Prenatal stage is the period from the moment the sperm
unites with the ovum until the birth.
The period during pregnancy and the moment of child
birth are the happiest moments in the life of parents. Every
pregnancy should be well-planned and prepared. A pregnant
mother should be in very good physical and mental state.
This is essential for the healthy growth of the new born
baby. During the pre natal stage the mother should be aware
of the progress of her pregnancy.
Figure 2.1
15
