Psychology

The ages between 2 and 5 are often called the preschool years. During these years, children change from clumsy toddlers into lively explorers of their world. Physically, a child becomes stronger and starts to look longer and leaner. Physical growth is slower than in the first 2 years of life, but the outward changes can be dramatic as American Academy of Pediatrics (2004) documents that by 2 years of age, most children grow at a steady pace, although it has slowed from the phase of rapid growth during the first 18 months of life. Here a child can alternate between feeling excited, confused, and scared about their emerging independence. Temper tantrums may start occurring regularly.

By 3 years of age, most children Look leaner and longer compared to the early toddler years. Most children have gained about 4.4 lb (2 kg) and grown about 3 in (8 cm) since their second birthday. By 4 years of age, most children Have gained about 4.4 lb (2 kg) and grown about 3 in (8 cm) since turning 3.  Can say their name, identify some basic colors, and match things that are the same (such as a pair of socks). By 5 years of age, most children Have gained about 4.4 lb (2 kg) and grown about 3 in (8 cm) since turning 4.  For eating, it is important to note that finicky eating habits are common and normal in preschoolers. Many children have smaller appetites than they had in their younger years because they are growing more slowly therefore parents should ensure they offer nourishing foods from the major food groups.

The human brain is not a finished organ at birth -- in fact, another 10 or 12 years are needed before even a general development is completed, Ginsburg KR, et al. (2007). Structural maturation of individual brain regions and their connecting pathways is required for the successful development of cognitive, motor, and sensory functions. This maturation eventually provides for a smooth flow of neural impulses throughout the brain, which allows for information to be integrated across the many spatially segregated brain regions involved in these functions. T. Paus et al. (2000) reports that the speed of neural transmission is an important factor, and this depends not only on the junctions between nerve cells (synapses), but also on the structural properties of the connecting fibers (axons). Critical axon structural properties include their diameters and the thickness of the special insulation (myelin) around many fibers. Myelination is the insulating process that speeds up the transmission of neural impulses. Large groups of myelinated axons, which connect various regions in the brain, appear visibly as white matter. Axons of the major pathways in the human brain, such as those of the corpus callosum (which connects the two halves of the brain) or the corticospinal tract (which connects the brain to the spinal cord and the rest of the body), continue to develop throughout childhood and adolescence, Myelinization is thus a major aspect of the workings of neural circuits. Adult primates with large brains require fast flowing information. Myelin coated axons make this possible. At age 5 there is a growth in the corpus callosum a band of nerve fibers connecting the right and left hemispheres of the brain resulting to the communication between the two sides which enables coordination. This refers to lateralization. The left hemisphere is specialized in language and this happens about two years while the right hemisphere specializes in recognition of visual shapes. Therefore, if this portion is removed or severed, plasticity occurs which refers to the changing of neurons, the organization of their networks, and their function via new experiences i.e. lack of coordination.

Gross motor skills include activities such as running, jumping,  throwing. At age 5 most children are skilled and graceful to learn basic motor skills by teaching themselves  learning from other children. However, fine motor skills(artistic expression) involves activities such as small hand movementscutting food with a knife and fork, and children normally experience difficulty  because they have not yet developed the necessary muscle control, patience and judgement. It is the duty of parents and teachers to help children master fine motor skills through encouragement.

Ginsburg KR, et al. (2007), indicates that about two thirds of childhood deaths among preschool children involve nonvehicular causes which include falling, drowning, choking, and poisoning. Studies show that boys suffer more injuries. However the strongest risk factor of all is socioeconomic status (brain immaturity) which is caused by child maltreatment which is any intentional harm or avoidable endangerment to anyone under age 18. This has raised ideas on intervention and prevention policies.

The intervention policies devised include laws requiring any teacher, health professional, police officer, or social worker to report all cases instituting a differential response deciding to respond either one way or another, depending on the particular situation foster care a legally sanctioned, publicly supported arrangement in which children are officially removed from their parents and entrusted to another adult or family which is paid to nurture them permanency planning devising a plan for a childs long-term care that does not remove the child from the parents unless doing so is necessary kinship care a form of foster care in which a relative of a maltreated child takes over from the abusive or neglectful parents. Prevention measures include primary prevention an approach that is designed to prevent maltreatment from ever occurring secondary prevention preventing serious problems by spotting and treating the early warning signs that indicate maltreatment might develop and tertiary prevention aimed at halting the harm after it occurs and treating the victim.