Growth and Development of the School-Age Child
Don is a 10-year-old boy who is being seen by the school nurse today for a fall he experienced on the school’s playground. Don’s mother, Kandis, has arrived and expressed some concern regarding Don’s recent behavior. She explains that he has engaged in more risk-taking behavior and has had more injuries lately. Kandis then asks the nurse what Don’s weight is and asks her if she thinks Don is overweight. Don is 5’1” and weighs 130 lbs. His body mass index (BMI) is 24.5. (Learning Objectives 4, 5, and 6)
- What can the nurse teach Kandis about promoting a safe lifestyle for Don?
- What can the nurse teach Kandis regarding Don’s weight and corresponding BMI?
- What can the nurse teach Kandis regarding Don’s nutritional needs, promoting nutritional healthy intake, and preventing overweight/obesity?
Growth and Development of the School-Age Child
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Growth and Development of the School-Age Child
As school-age children commence on a life-changing voyage of growth and development, their possibilities for greatness start to blossom, enchanting our attention and kindling our curiosity. The growth and development of school-age children play a crucial role in modifying their future well-being and victory. Children during this phase, ranging from around 6 to 12 years old, encounter crucial physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional changes. Physically, there is a noticeable elevation in height and weight, along with enhanced coordination and motor skills. There is a contradiction between the need for society to preserve and strengthen children’s health and the lack of motor activity and regulation of hyperactivity in preschool children and schoolchildren (Voloshina et al., 2018). Cognitive development becomes more advanced, indicated by improved problem-solving abilities, logical thinking, and elevated attention span. However, school-age children exhibit a growing capacity for abstract thinking and a thirst for knowledge, making them more receptive to formal education.
Socially and emotionally, they pursue developing peer relationships and establishing a sense of identity and belonging within their social groups. School-age children frequently strive to assert their autonomy and self-confidence as they gain independence. Parents, educators, and caregivers must equip a supportive environment that nurtures their growth and allows them to explore their interests and abilities. Promoting their physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development can emancipate school-age children to reach their full potential and lay a passionate foundation for their future endeavors. This essay will explore a case scenario of Don, a 10-year-old boy, being seen by the school nurse today for a fall he experienced on the playground. Eventually, the paper will look at the nurse’s teaching to Kandis about promoting a safe lifestyle for Don, teachings regarding Don’s weight and corresponding BMI, and teachings regarding Don’s nutritional needs, promoting healthy nutritional intake, and preventing overweight.
Nurse’s Teaching Kandis about Promoting a Safe Lifestyle for Don
The nurse can provide Kandis with valuable information and guidance on promoting a safe lifestyle for Don. Firstly, the nurse can explain to Kandis the importance of setting clear boundaries and rules for Don when it comes to engaging in risky activities. By establishing limits and expectations, Kandis can help Don understand the potential dangers of certain behaviors and make safer choices. The nurse can also emphasize the significance of adult supervision, especially during activities with a higher risk of injury (Izquierdo et al., 2021). Encouraging Don to participate in structured, organized sports or activities can provide a safer environment with trained coaches or instructors who prioritize safety. In addition, the nurse can address Don’s recent injuries and explore potential underlying causes. Evaluating Don’s overall physical health and recognizing any possible issues contributing to his elevated risk-taking behavior is crucial. If appropriate, the nurse can recommend an inclusive medical assessment to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be impacting Don’s behavior.
Concerning Don’s weight, the nurse can equip Kandis with correct information about Don’s BMI and elucidate that it falls within the overweight category. Moreover, it is essential not to aim solely for weight but to foster a healthy lifestyle overall. The nurse can educate Kandis about the benefits of a balanced diet, continuous physical activity, and sufficient sleep for Don’s overall well-being. Motivating healthier food choices, like incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into Don’s diet, can be significant (Barrett et al., 2020). The nurse can also advocate employing enjoyable physical activities as a family, like hiking, biking, or swimming, to foster regular exercise. Comprehensively, the nurse can teach Kandis about setting boundaries, equipping supervision, and fostering safe activities for Don. In addition, the nurse can address Don’s recent injuries, evaluate his overall physical health, and equip guidance on maintaining a healthy lifestyle involving nutrition and exercise. By providing inclusive support and information, the nurse can empower Kandis to develop a safe and healthy environment for Don.
The Nurse’s Teaching Kandis Regarding Don’s Weight and Corresponding BMI
The nurse can educate Kandis about Don’s weight and corresponding BMI by equipping context and guidance. The body mass index is a measure that suggests whether an individual’s weight is within a healthy range relative to their height (Rodriguez-Martinez et al., 2020). Don’s body mass index is calculated as 24.5, falling within the overweight category according to the measures of body mass index ranges. Moreover, it is essential to recall that body mass index is a general screening equipment and does not consider individual factors like muscle mass and body composition. While Don’s body mass index indicates that he may be overweight, it is crucial to consider other factors like his overall health, growth pattern, and lifestyle habits. The nurse can advise Kandis to consult with Don’s principal healthcare provider for an inclusive assessment, which may involve further evaluations, like body composition analysis and a medical history review. In addition, the nurse can equip information on healthy lifestyle choices like a balanced diet and regular physical activity, supporting Don’s overall well-being. It is vital to approach the topic sensitively and aim at fostering an emphatic body image and a healthy lifestyle rather than solely emphasizing weight-related concerns.
The Nurse’s teaching Kandis Regarding Don’s Nutritional Needs, Promoting Nutritional Healthy Intake and Preventing Obesity
The nurse can equip Kandis with valuable information and advice regarding Don’s nutritional needs, fostering healthy intake, and preventing overweight or obesity. At first, the nurse can elucidate that proper nutrition is crucial for Don’s growth and development at his age. They can discuss the significance of a balanced diet, including various fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. To foster healthy nutritional intake, the nurse can suggest embodying more whole, unprocessed food into Don’s meals and snacks. Motivating Kandis to employ Don in meal planning and preparation can also promote an emphatic relationship with food. In addition, the nurse can advise Kandis to restrict the intake of sugary drinks, processed snacks, and fast food, as they can contribute to weight gain and poor overall health.
Therefore, fostering a healthy food environment, which fosters a diversified, balanced and healthy diet, needs inclusion across multiple sectors and stakeholders, involving government and the private sector, while safeguarding public health against vested interests (World Health Organization, 2019). To prevent overweight or obesity, the nurse can educate Kandis about portion control and mindful eating. They can elucidate that it is essential for Don to listen to his body’s hunger and fullness cues and to eat until satisfied instead of overeating. The nurse can also discuss the importance of progressive physical activity and its role in maintaining a healthy weight. Motivating Don to employ age-suitable activities he enjoys, like sports or agile play, can assist him in creating a healthy lifestyle and prevent excessive weight gain (Mondol, 2020). Moreover, the nurse can equip resources or suggest consulting with a registered nutritionist for individualized guidance and meal planning based on Don’s needs. By fostering a balanced diet, motivating healthy eating habits, and emphasizing the significance of regular physical activity, the nurse can help Kandis support Don’s Nutritional health and prevent overweight or obesity.
Conclusion
Numerous factors, including physical activity, weight management, and nutrition, impact the growth and development of school-age children like Don. Don’s recent behavior and injuries may indicate a need for guidance in fostering a safe lifestyle. The nurse can educate Kandis on the significance of setting boundaries, equipping supervision, and encouraging appropriate risk-taking activities for Don. Additionally, the nurse can address Kandis’s concerns about Don’s weight and body mass index, providing information on healthy weight ranges and the significance of BMI as an indicator of overall health. Moreover, the nurse can educate Kandis on Don’s nutritional needs, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet and promoting healthy eating habits to prevent overweight and obesity in school-age children. By empowering Kandis with knowledge and strategies, the nurse can support Don’s growth and development, promoting his overall well-being.
References
Barrett, E. M., Foster, S. I., & Beck, E. J. (2020). Whole grain and high-fiber grain foods: How do knowledge, perceptions and attitudes affect food choice? Appetite, 149, 104630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2020.104630
Izquierdo, M., Merchant, R. A., Morley, J. E., Anker, S. D., Aprahamian, I., Arai, H., … & Singh, M. F. (2021). International exercise recommendations in older adults (ICFSR): expert consensus guidelines. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 25(7), 824-853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-021-1665-8
Mondol, E. P. (2022). The Role of Vr Games to Minimize the Obesity of Video Gamers. International Journal of Computations, Information and Manufacturing (IJCIM), 2(1). https://doi.org/10.54489/ijcim.v2i1.70
Rodriguez-Martinez, A., Zhou, B., Sophiea, M. K., Bentham, J., Paciorek, C. J., Iurilli, M. L., … & Boggia, J. G. (2020). Height and body-mass index trajectories of school-aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019 in 200 countries and territories: a pooled analysis of 2181 population-based studies with 65 million participants. The Lancet, 396(10261), 1511-1524. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31859-6
Voloshina, L. N., Kondakov, V. L., Tretyakov, A. A., Kopeikina, E. N., Cretu, M., & Potop, V. (2018). Modern strategies for regulating the motor activity of preschool and school-age children in the educational space. Pedagogics, psychology, medical-biological problems of physical training and sports, (2), 114-119.
World Health Organization. (2019). Healthy diet (No. WHO-EM/NUT/282/E). World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.
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