Developmental Assessment and the School

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Grand Canyon University *

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Nursing

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Nov 24, 2024

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1 Developmental Assessment and the School-Aged Child Student’s Name Institution Date
2 Developmental Assessment and the School-Aged Child The management of child development is a complex process that necessitates regular evaluation to ensure that the child is progressing appropriately. Unlike adults, it can be challenging to identify delays in a child's development. It is the responsibility of parents to seek the guidance of healthcare professionals to gain a better understanding of their child's growth and development, address any challenges the child may be facing, and implement strategies to manage any special care needs. This task aims to assess the requirements of children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old. Physical Assessments Comparison Children aged 5 to 12 should have annual health assessments. By the age of 6, most children can provide reliable medical data, so it's recommended to involve both the children and their parents in the assessment process. At the age of 12, children are entering puberty and should be treated as young adults to encourage their participation in the assessment ( Jiang, et al., 2021). While children may be free to share information in the presence of their parents, it's important to assess the child's comfort level when sharing information. School-aged children typically exhibit physical characteristics such as increased coordination and physical strength, growth in height and weight, the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics during puberty, and the presence of a full set of primary and permanent teeth. These children also develop greater independence and are more active in sports and other physical activities, leading to various injuries and musculoskeletal issues ( Jiang, et al., 2021). When assessing a school-aged child, it's important to consider their age and developmental stage.
3 For younger school-aged children, it's important to use simple, concrete language and explanations to ensure understanding. As children get older, they can understand more abstract concepts and reasoning. Younger school-aged children may benefit from a more interactive and playful approach to assessment, using toys or other props to help them feel more at ease. Older school-aged children may be more comfortable with a direct and straightforward approach ( Scaler Scott, 2022). It is essential to consider the child's modesty and comfort during physical examinations. Providing clear explanations and allowing the child to participate in the process, such as holding instruments or assisting in certain tasks, can help them feel more in control. Assessing the child's developmental milestones, such as motor skills, language development, and social interactions, can provide valuable insights into their overall health and well-being. Development Stage At around 5 to 6 years old, children typically show increased independence, improved motor skills, and start to develop an understanding of rules and social norms. They may also start to read simple words and sentences, and can engage in more complex pretend play. From 7 to 9 years old, children often become more adept at reasoning and problem-solving, display improved motor skills, and show interests in hobbies and activities ( Gross, 2020). They may also start to understand and follow abstract rules and can engage in cooperative play with peers. Between 10 and 12 years old, children often experience significant physical and cognitive changes. They typically have a greater capacity for abstract thought, show increasing independence and responsibility, and develop more complex social relationships with peers. It is important to note that every child is unique, and these are general developmental stages. At
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4 around 12 years old, the physical development stage usually begins with the onset of puberty ( Gross, 2020). For girls, this is characterized by the growth of pubic hair, development of the breasts, and the start of menstruation. For boys, it involves muscle growth, deepening of the voice, the appearance of hair in the underarms and pubic area, as well as facial hair, along with an increase in the size of the penis and testicles. Development Theory During the initial appointment, it is important to gather a comprehensive medical and social history of the child. For a healthy child, an interim medical history should be documented, including their medical status since the last visit. The previous medical history review should include relevant information such as past surgeries, hospitalizations, illnesses, and the age of their relatives ( Blackwell et al., 2020). Additionally, it is crucial to record the medications the children have been taking, including any alternative therapies, over-the-counter drugs, dosages, frequency of use, and the names of the medications. It is important to document any allergies affecting the child, along with the role of food, drugs, and environment in these reactions. The child's social history, including exposure to smoke, pets at home, daycare providers, and the surrounding community, should also be recorded ( Gross, 2020). Additionally, the child's nutritional assessment, including their liquid intake, food variety, portion sizes, snacks, urination, and stool habits, is crucial. Finally, it is essential to document the parents' concerns about their child's nutritional welfare. A comprehensive health assessment requires a mental evaluation to ensure completeness. This includes consideration of factors such as the child's behavioral challenges, risk of child abuse, family stress, parenting needs, and sleep patterns ( Blackwell et al., 2020). Additionally, a
5 child development assessment is necessary to evaluate their growth, taking into account age- related factors. This assessment should cover their interpersonal relationships, communication skills, participation in extracurricular activities, and school performance. Screening for children should also include dental, hearing, vision, hemoglobin, and tuberculosis assessments. It is crucial to prioritize health education and healthy development, which involves creating safety guides and health and growth charts. Additionally, a comprehensive health promotion guide, encompassing immunization and managing exposure to adult content, is vital for a thorough health assessment. Assessment of family-level concerns such as abuse should also be integrated into the overall assessment process ( Casas et al., 2020). Overall, the developmental assessment of children in the 12-year age range, as outlined by Erickson’s theory, should be conducted within this framework.
6 References Blackwell, C. K., Wakschlag, L., Krogh-Jespersen, S., Buss, K. A., Luby, J., Bevans, K., ... & Cella, D. (2020). Pragmatic health assessment in early childhood: The PROMIS® of developmentally based measurement for pediatric psychology. Journal of pediatric psychology , 45 (3), 311-318. Casas, F., Oriol, X., & González-Carrasco, M. (2020). Positive affect and its relationship with general life satisfaction among 10 and 12-year-old children in 18 countries. Child Indicators Research , 13 , 2261-2290. Gross, Y. (2020). Erikson's stages of psychosocial development. The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences: Models and Theories , 179-184. Jiang, R., Xie, C., Shi, J., Mao, X., Huang, Q., Meng, F., ... & Zhang, C. (2021). Comparison of physical fitness and mental health status among school-age children with different sport- specific training frequencies. PeerJ , 9 , e10842. Scaler Scott, K. (2022, March). Cluttering in a School-Aged Child: Tackling the Challenges Step by Step. In Seminars in Speech and Language (Vol. 43, No. 02, pp. 130-146). 333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA: Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc..
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