Invitation to the Life Span by Kathleen Stassen Berger

Chapter 5- Early ChildhoodBody and Mind

1Body ChangesGrowth PatternsGroomingPatternsNutritionOverfeedingJust rightWhat do we feed kids

Many children are deficient in the following:CalciumIronZincVitamin AVitamin CServingsCalcium1 cup of calcium fortified oj2 one inch cubes of cheese2 tablespoons of shredded cheese cup plain, low-fat yogurt (< 30 g of sugar)Iron1 two ounce hamburger with ketchup cup Cream of Wheat sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar served with cup OJAn egg A slice of whole wheat breadZinc1 scrambled egg served with slice of tasting whole wheat bread cup baked beans cup plain yogurt or milk3 ounces of red meat3 ounces of turkeyVitamin A3 to 4 spears of raw broccoli served with moderate amount of dipping sauce1 burger (made with ground beef and ground veggiesVitamin C cup of strawberry smoothie6 to 8 orange slicesPasta with 1/3 cup tomato sauce

Body, cont. Motor SkillsSpontaneous development PLAY IS WORK AND WORK IS PLAY! By age 6ride tricyclesclimb ladderspump their legs on swingsthrow, catch, and kick balls.Advancing motor skillsBrain DevelopmentSize of brainSpeed of brainBrain Development

Thinking During Early ChildhoodPiaget: Preoperational ThoughtPrevious stage: sensorimotor. Linked to senses and motor skill development. Preoperational means before (pre) logical operations (reasoning processes).Symbolic thinking

Thinking, cont.EgocentrismCentrationAnimismStatic ReasoningIrreversibilityConservationVygotsky- Social LearningZone of proximal developmentScaffoldingLanguageVocabularyLanguage is pivotal to every kind of cognition in early childhood.Early childhood is a sensitive period.The average child knows about 500 words at age 2 and more than 10,000 at age 6.Fast mapping Early Childhood EducationChild-Centered ProgramsStress childrens natural inclinationSelf-paced exploration and artistic expression.Opportunities to tell stories, draw, paint, dance, build, make musicWORK IS PLAY AND PLAY IS WORK

Teacher-Directed Programs

Characteristics of high quality early childhood eduction11Injuries and MaltreatmentAccidentsAccidents are the leading cause of death worldwide for people under age 40.Injury control/harm reduction- Practices that are aimed anticipating, controlling, and preventing dangerous activities.Levels of prevention Injuries and MaltreatmentMaltreatmentChild maltreatmentIntentional harm to or avoidable endangerment of anyone under 18 years of age.Child abuseDeliberate action that is harmful to a childs physical, emotional, or sexual well-being.Child neglectFailure to meet a childs basic physical, educational, or emotional needs.Consequences of maltreatment13