Late Childhood UNIT (The Intermediate Schooler) - Heidi Grace L. Borabo, PhD Physical Development of the mopute } intermedlate Schoolers EIEIO At the end of this Module, you should be able to: ‘© identify the different physical characteristics of intermediate schoolers discuss ways and practices which will aid children in successfully developing physically. «design a simple exercise program appropriate for intermediate school children. y rm (GA, CT Late childhood is generally defined as ages 9 through 12. Others, may call this stage as preteens. Physical changes during this stage is fairly unpredictable among children in this age group. The steady and gradual changes happening in children at this stage, especially with their increasing familiarity with school work and other possible activities provide them with a greater opportunity to develop their motor skill functioning,‘The Child and Adolescent Leamers and Leaming Principles Divide the clasé into three groups and have them write down in bulleted form their ideas on: = Weight and height changes in intermediate pupils = What are your general ideas on how tall and how heavy do intermediate children stand and weigh? = What are the factors affecting their height and weight? * Differences in physical appearance between girls and boys = What are the differences in their body appearance? ~ What are the differences in the activities they do? = Changes in nutrition, diet and sleep of intermediate pupils = What are the nutritional needs of intermediate pupils? - How long do these children need to sleep and rest? Have the children write their answers on a half Manila paper or cartolina, then paste them on the board. (QUE 1. Based on the insights that you wrote, what do you think are the ‘general physical characteristics of children aged 9 to 12 years? 2. What are the common physical activities these children do to help them to develop physically?Unit ~ Late Chitdhood Module 21 ~ Physical Development of inlermaciate Schoolers |. In what aspect do girls and boys in the late childhood stage differ? «i ABSTRACTION Intermediate schoolers have more control over their bodies than they have when they were in primary school. They become more active and have greater liberty to choose the hobbies or sports that they want to get involved in. Children in their late childhood stage always seem to be in a hurry ~ they get so busy with their school work, interacting with their friends, exploring other possible activities, but this period of physical development seems to take on a leisurely pace. This may also be the stage ‘when puberty may begin. Puberty is the period in which the body undergoes physical changes and becomes capable of sexual reproduction. Early Puberty On the average, girls are generally as much as two (2) years ahead of ‘boys in terms of physical maturity, although these developments may be determined by how close a child is to puberty. Puberty may begin early. Budding breasts for girls — which is the initial sign of puberty. Some girls may also start with their menstrual period as early as 8 and some as late as 13. Puberty’s changes start when the brain triggers the production of sex hormones. Here are some changes that may happen to both girls and boys during early puberty. 287The Child and Adolescent Leamers and Learning Principles 288 is Boys ] Breast | = Small lumps from behind May also have swelling on the nipple may occur, which their chest but tends to go away sometime could be painful but within a year or two eventually, the pain goes away. + Itis normal for one breast to develop more slowly than the other. _ Genitals |= The vulva starts in increase abit. |* Subtle increase in testicle size + The vagina gets longer. Penis and scrotum start to + The uterus gets bigger. grow. Semen may be released when he is awake or even during sleep. Hair Growth| = Hair will start to grow in the Hair will start to grow and armpits and pubic areas. become thicker. New hair will also grow in the armpits and pubic area around the genitals May start developing chest and| facial hair oar wwe Height, Weight and Muscle Development During late childhood, a child’s weight on average, may be 2.3 to 3.2 kilograms per year. Weight increase was mainly due to the increase in size of skeletal and muscular systems as well as several organs. An average of, 2% inches in height and an average of an inch in head circumference each year. Children during this stage may experience growth spurts — sudden boo: in appetite and food intake in height and weight, which are usually accompanied by increase Many of the bodily structures like the liver, muscles, skeletons, kidneys and face follow a normal curve of development for both girls and boys. Other structures like the brain, intestines and other organs and bodily systems mature at their own time, thus, affecting growth pattems. Increase in body fats also occurs in preparation for the growth that occurs during adolescence. The body fat increase occurs earlier in girls and is greater in quantity. Girls appear to be “chubby” while boys tend to have more leanUnitS~ Late Citdhood Module 21 - Physical Development of Inermediate Schoolers body mass per inch of height than girls. These are all normal part of development. These differences in body composition become more significant during adolescence. Motor Skills During this stage, movements or the muscles and bones become more coordinated. At the age of 10 or 11 years, most children will have Ieamed to play sports like swimming, basketball, volleyball and running. This physical skills become a source of pleasure and great achievement to the children. In activities that use large muscle activities, boys tend to be more nimble than girls. Although a significant increase in physical activity may occur in this stage, children in their late childhood is far from being physically mature. They become overwhelmed when sitting or standing too long than when running, jumping or playing actively. This is because they need time to refine their skills so they prefer active rather than passive movements. From the age of 8, children show greater coordination in writing. Their fine motor skills develop gradually which may be evidenced by the size of the letters and numbers. Font size becomes smaller and are more even, They may even produce good quality crafts or have greater control in playing instruments like the piano or guitar. In this skills, girls usually surpass the boys. Insecurities At this stage, children may become very concemed about their physical appearance. Girls especially, may become concemed about their weight and decide to eat less. Boys may become aware of their stature and muscle size and strength. Since this stage can bring about insecurities, parents and teachers must be very conscious about their dealings with these children. Appropriate activities must be designed so that children will be guided into the right direction. Children must be given opportunities to engage themselves in worthwhile activities that: "promote healthy growth, = give them a feeling of accomplishment, and, "reduce the risk of certain diseases, 289290 ‘The Child and Adolescent Learners and Learning Principles Implications to child-care, education and parenting During this stage, children are more physically active’however, they still have a lot of physical maturity to undergo. Here are some points to consider for health-care providers, teachers and parents. + Provide ample opportunities at home and in school for physical exercises and sports. «Encourage children to participate in varied worthwhile activities until they are able to discover the ones they are interested in. ‘¢ Develop a strong emotional attachment with your children so as to address any insecurities and social concerns. '* Since children in this stage have more control over their eating habits, provide them with healthier food choices.Unit Late Chitthood Module 21 ~ Physical Development of Intermediate Schoolers Ce) 1. Being healthy physically greatly helps children in their late adulthood to become successful in their everyday undertakings. Design a simple exercise program appropriate for children ages 9 to 12. Divide your program into three parts: Part 1: Warm Up Activities: ~ May include breathing exercises and stretching routines Part 2: Exercise Proper: ~ May consist of three to four sets of exercises which may focus on the following areas: (a) body balance and posture, (b) endurance, (c) muscle strength and/or (4) agility Part 3: Cooling Down or Quieting Activity: = Includes another set of breathing and stretching exercises 291 Title of Exercise Part I: Warm Up Activities:‘The Child and Adolescent Learners and Leeming Principies 292 Part Il: Exercise Proper: Part III: Cooling Down or Quieting Activity 2. As a teacher, what ideas can you give in order to help intermediate school children develop physically?Unit 5 — Late Childhood Module 21 - Physical Development of intermediate Schoolers SYNAPSE STRENGTHENERS Children in their late childhood are often concerned about their physical appearance. They may suffer different physical conditions. Read on a concern in the area of physical development of intermediate schoolers, Make a summarized report and share it to the class. You may choose from the following or look for a different area of concern, "Health Issues "Height Factors. + Effects of Technology on Physical Development 1; / EE Children in this stage suffer from many types of insecurities. One thing they feel most insecure about is their body. Read researches regarding obesity during late childhood. ‘Summarize one research by stating the following: + Research Methodology * Findings * Conclusions + Recommendations © References‘The Child and Adolescent Learners and Learning Principles fy Pee 3 To ensure that you are promoting your students” physical well-being, ask yourself the following questions: 1, Do I understand that each child undergoes physical development at different paces? 2. Do I appreciate the different physical changes in both girls and boys? 3. Do I maintain a healthy body that my students can get inspiration from? 4. Do I refrain from taking any form of vices to encourage my. students to live a healthy life, too? 5. Do I provide appropriate physical exercises so that my students may develop proper physical health? CEL Read the statements carefully. Select the correct answers and write the letter of the correct answers on the blank. 1. Children in the intermediate school age may experience early signs of puberty. How can parents best handle a situation, like this? -Application A. Encourage them to mingle with the opposite sex. B. Be on the look-out for physical changes and report them to their children’s pediatrician. C. Connect with their friends and ask them to tell you what changes are happening to their children, D. Provide children with accurate resources that they need to be able to gain information about sex, drugs, and changes that they experience. ____2. What can teachers do when children get teased for their physical appearance? Application ‘A. Teach the child being teased to fight back B. Let the teasing slide and continue with the class activity. C. Have a private talk with the offending student and figure out why he is teasing. D. Bring the offending student to the Guidance Counselor