Every child goes through developmental stages. According to Kyla Boyse, RN (2013) in her article “Developmental Milestones, University of Michigan Health Systems, “Child development refers to how a child becomes able to do more complex things as they get older.” This process of development involves cognitive development, social and emotional development, speech and language development and learning and mastering fine motor skills. Between the ages of 6 to 12 a child is expected to have developed strong physical, emotional and mental abilities. Although all children are expected to go through the same developmental stages not all of them develop the same way or at the same time. Many different factors affect their development.
One of the factors that influence the child’s development is his genes. Children are born with their “genes” in place and this determines and will affect his height, weight and build and make each child of the same age range different. Other factors such as nutrition, health and fitness level and the child’s general health will affect his growth and development. During the middle age, around the age of 6, the child begins to develop an awareness of self. He looks at others around him and compares himself to them. It is important to develop a regime of physical activity that will reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease that can occur in adulthood.
The biological changes occur at different times in boys and girls. These changes usually occur in boys around the age of 10 to 14, and around age 8 to 13 in girls. In girls breast development is generally the first change to be noticed. Body hair begins to grow and the hips get wider and bones become dense. For boys there is rapid change in height and weight, and facial hairs begin to grow. Adjusting to all these changes can be difficult. Dealing with the mental, physical and emotional changes that children go through may make them participate in behaviors that are risky and may cause injury to them.
The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities says “Parents must find the time to talk to their children and help them to cope with some of the difficult changes.” Parents can learn some useful parenting skills that will teach the child how to behave. Show them lots of love and interact with them. This way the child will grow up feeling wanted and important.
References
Boyse, K. Developmental Milestones (2013). University of Michigan Health System. Retrieved from web http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/devmile.htm
The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities: How Kids Develop. Retrieved from web http://www.howkidsdevelop.com/developSkills.html
