The physical assessment in different developmental ages in children

The physical assessment in different developmental ages in children

The physical assessment differs during different developmental ages in children. Specifically, in the school-going age, there is a transition between childhood the teen life, and these are crucial phases in kids’ growth. Assessment to check include if the child has stable and smooth motor skills. But within this age group, the coordination, balance, physical abilities, and endurance vary. Hence, the screening checks aspects vision, haemoglobin, hearing, also dental screening and of course some tuberculosis questionnaire to check for lungs health. Assessment for fine motor also varies a lot among kids within this age group. Such skills affect the child’s ability to dress appropriately, write neatly, and perform some simple activities like doing dishes and making the bed.

The nurses additionally look for differences in the height of the children, and weights are also checked. The young child below age ten weight is less compared to those who are about to enter teenage life. Physicians also have a mandate of monitoring the genetic background, exercise, and nutrition of the child. Nurses will even see that image starts developing at age 6. However, sedentary habits should be examined because they often lead to heart disease and obesity and cardiac failure among adults. Lastly, it is essential to check for secondary sex characteristics for girls’ development of breast and pubic hair, and boys’ growth of the chest, testicles, penal areas, and also pubic hair.

Focus on a child within school-going age

The child I have chosen is nine years old, goes to a school nearby, and I have seen him grow because he is a from a close family friend. During these ages, many numerous things happen that determine the later stage of the child; for instance, it is the age that usher the child to adolescent. Based on psychoanalytic theory, this period is called the latency stage, but within the phase, the aggressive and sexual urges often become reserved.

More recent studies have the importance of this developmental stage, especially in relation to personality, motivation, cognitive skill, and interpersonal relationship within kids. During middle childhood, most of the kids learn about the values of society. Hence it safe to conclude that the primary aim of this development age is integration both within the individual and outside world. At this age, it is also crucial to note that growth is a bit sluggish until the onset of puberty when the pace picks up.

Psychoanalysis of the school-going children

For this age, Jean Piaget’s psychoanalytic developmental stages become applicable. Of course, Piaget’s developmental analysis are four, sensorimotor (birth to 18-24months), preoperational (18-24 to age 7), concrete operational (7 to 12 years) and finally formal operational (adolescent). The kid in question is 8years old hence within the concrete operational phase. He is within these age; cognitive development is slow but steady. The children often are still building on gained skills during childhood, which will usher them to the next of mental development.

As a nurse, it is crucial to note that the child’s reasoning is grounded on rules. Here a child learns critical skills like forming hypothesis and classification. The children at this age are showing signs of mental maturity than toddlers, but the caregiver should continue giving them hands-on, concrete learning activities. Thus nurses, to relate with them, should provide them with an assessment, which requires reasoning but still not too intense.