Middle childhood (6-11 yr of age) is the period in which children increasingly separate from parents and seek acceptance from teachers, other adults, and peers. Children begin to feel under pressure to conform to the style and ideals of the peer…
The emergence of language and exposure of children to an expanding social sphere represent the critical milestones for children ages 2-5 yr. As toddlers, children learn to walk away and come back to the secure adult or parent. As preschoolers, they…
The 2nd year of life is a time of rapid growth of development, particularly in the realms of social-emotional and cognitive skills as well as motor development. The toddler's newly found ability to walk allows separation and independence; however, the…
The prenatal period and the 1st yr of life provide the platform for remarkable growth and development, setting the trajectory for a child's life. Neural plasticity , the ability of the brain to be shaped by experience, both positive and…
The developing fetus is affected by social and environmental influences, including maternal nutritional status; substance use (both legal and illicit); and psychologic trauma. Correspondingly, the psychologic alterations experienced by the parents during the gestation profoundly impact the lives of all…
The field of pediatrics is dedicated to optimizing the growth and development of each child. Pediatricians require knowledge of normal growth, development, and behavior in order to effectively monitor children's progress, identify delays or abnormalities in development, help obtain needed…
Calories from food provide energy for the body’s maintenance functions of repair, regulation, metabolism, replacement of losses, and daily activity. Children have additional caloric requirements because they are growing. Children under the age of 3 years whose caloric needs are…