Chapter 9 - Physical and cognitive development in middle and late childhood. During the middle and late childhood years, children grow taller, heavier, and stronger. They become more adept at using their physical skills, and they develop new cognitive skills. This chapter is about physical and cognitive development in middle and late childhood. To begin, we will explore some changes in physical development. | Chapter 9: Physical and Cognitive Development In Middle and Late Childhood ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Body Growth and Change: Growth averages 2–3 inches per year Weight gain averages 5–7 lbs. each year Muscle mass and strength gradually increase; baby fat decreases ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. The Brain: Brain volume stabilizes Significant changes in structures and regions occur, especially in the prefrontal cortex Increases in cortical thickness Activation of some brain areas increase while others decrease ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Motor Development: Motor skills become smoother and more coordinated Improvement of fine motor skills during middle and late childhood due to increased myelination of the central nervous system Boys outperform girls in large muscle activities and girls usually outperform boys on fine motor skills ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All . | Chapter 9: Physical and Cognitive Development In Middle and Late Childhood ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Body Growth and Change: Growth averages 2–3 inches per year Weight gain averages 5–7 lbs. each year Muscle mass and strength gradually increase; baby fat decreases ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. The Brain: Brain volume stabilizes Significant changes in structures and regions occur, especially in the prefrontal cortex Increases in cortical thickness Activation of some brain areas increase while others decrease ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Motor Development: Motor skills become smoother and more coordinated Improvement of fine motor skills during middle and late childhood due to increased myelination of the central nervous system Boys outperform girls in large muscle activities and girls usually outperform boys on fine motor skills ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Exercise Elementary school children need to be active Percentage of children involved in daily . programs in schools decreased from 80% (1969) to 20% (1999) Television watching is linked with low activity and obesity in children Exercise linked to cognitive development ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Exercise ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Health, Illness, and Disease Middle and late childhood is usually a time of excellent health Accidents and Injuries Motor vehicle accidents are most common cause of severe injury Overweight Children 30% of . children are at risk of being overweight Cardiovascular Disease Uncommon in children but risk factors are present ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Health, Illness, and Disease Cancer Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in children 5–14 years old Most common child cancer is leukemia Children with cancer are surviving longer .
