Developmental Assessment and the School-Aged Child

Posted: February 15th, 2023

he needs of the pediatric patient differ depending on age, as do the stages of development and the expected assessment findings for each stage. In a 500-750-word paper, examine the needs of a school-aged child between the ages of 5 and 12 years old and discuss the following:

Compare the physical assessments among school-aged children. Describe how you would modify assessment techniques to match the age and developmental stage of the child.
Choose a child between the ages of 5 and 12 years old. Identify the age of the child and describe the typical developmental stages of children that age.
Applying developmental theory based on Erickson, Piaget, or Kohlberg, explain how you would developmentally assess the child. Include how you would offer explanations during the assessment, strategies you would use to gain cooperation, and potential findings from the assessment.
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Developmental Assessment and the School-Aged Child

Developmental Assessment and the School-Aged Child

Introduction

As children grow from early childhood into middle childhood, spanning ages 5-12 years, they undergo significant cognitive, emotional, physical and social development. Assessment of these developmental domains is essential to ensure children are progressing appropriately and to identify any concerns requiring intervention. This essay examines the developmental needs of school-aged children and evidence-based assessment approaches.

Physical Development

Between ages 5-12 years, school-aged children experience steady progression in gross and fine motor skills. Assessment focuses on muscle strength, balance, coordination, and integration of sensory input (Bluma et al., 2013). School nurses often use tools like growth charts to plot height and weight trajectories and screen for vision, hearing, and scoliosis, which can impact physical abilities (Walia, 2021). Pediatricians complete regular well child checks monitoring growth patterns and assessing developmental milestones in areas like running, jumping, ball skills, strength, visual-motor integration, and self care skills appropriate to age (CDC, 2021). Assessment techniques must be tailored to the child’s age and ability level with allowances for normal variation.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive changes are robust during the school-age period. According to Piaget, this aligns with the concrete operational stage when children develop logical thinking applied to concrete information. Important developmental advancements include perspective taking, classification skills, increased memory/attention capacity, and self-regulation (Louw et al., 1998). Cognitive assessment includes an evaluation of grade-level academic skills in areas like reading, math, writing, and content knowledge as well as critical thinking and problem solving ability (Gavidia-Payne et al., 2015). School psychologists use standardized intelligence and achievement tests alongside curriculum-based measures to evaluate cognitive progress. Assessing cooperative capacities through games or group tasks provides insight on development (Yeates et al., 2002). Examiners emphasize clear explanations and integrate incentives to sustain children’s attention and interest.

Social-Emotional Development

Between ages 5-12 years, peer relationships take on greater importance as children navigate school environments and community involvement. Competence in areas like social information processing, emotion regulation, and interpersonal skills predict social adjustment (Ciairano et al., 2007). According to Erikson’s framework, school-aged children tackle the tasks of industry versus inferiority, necessitating encouragement of their skills and abilities. Assessment may incorporate observation of peer interactions, teacher reports on classroom conduct and relationship abilities as well as parent perspectives. Children can also provide invaluable insights through self-report measures, clinical interviews, story-telling techniques and play reenactments (Qu & Kaiser, 2004). Building rapport and utilizing both structured and unstructured approaches elucidates children’s capacities around social cognition, friendships, and managing emotions.

Conclusion

In summary, developmental assessment among school-aged children involves gathering comprehensive data across physical, cognitive, academic and social-emotional realms through formal and informal means. Tailoring assessment processes to children’s ages and competencies as well as capitalizing on peer and adult input permits thorough evaluation of developmental progress. Early identification of any concerns stimulates timely intervention to help children thrive. Overall, the school-age years represent an important period of accelerated development warranting careful appraisal and encouragement.

References

Bluma, S., Shearer, M., Frohman, A., & Hilliard, J. (2013). Portfolios of Physical Growth and Development for School-Age Children and Adolescents. School Nursing: The Journal of the National Association of School Nurses, 30(2), 138–146. https://doi.org/10.1177/1942602×13475540

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Important Milestones: Your Child at Five Years. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-5yr.html

Ciairano, S., Rabaglietti, E., Roggero, A., Bonino, S., & Beyers, W. (2007). Patterns of Adolescent Friendships, Psychological Adjustment and Antisocial Behavior: The Moderating Role of Family Stress and Friendship Reciprocation. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 31(6), 539–548. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025407080573

Gavidia-Payne, S., Meddis, L., Mahar, N., & Meaney, K. (2015). Assessment of Social-Emotional and Behavioural Functioning in Australian School Aged Children with an Intellectual Disability. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 45-46, 37–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2015.07.002

Louw, D. A., Van Ede, D. M., & Louw, A. E. (1998). Human development (2nd ed.). Kagiso Publishers.

Qu, Y., & Kaiser, A. P. (2004). Problematic Behavior in Young Children: The Role of Experience and Externalizing Behavior in the Development of Problematic Peer Relations. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 24(3), 176–188. https://doi.org/10.1177/02711214040240030401

Walia, A. (2021). School Health Services. Children, 8(4), 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8040311

Yeates, K. O., Bigler, E. D., Dennis, M., Gerhardt, C. A., Rubin, K. H., Stancin, T., Taylor, H. G., & Vannatta, K. (2002). Social Outcomes in Childhood Brain Disorder: A Heuristic Integration of Social Neuroscience and Developmental Psychology. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.133.3.535