Resources

Glossary

• Alveoli – are also known as the air sacs in the lungs.  These provide the means for oxygen and carbon dioxide to diffuse in and out of the blood stream, so providing the body with oxygen and removing carbon dioxide, breathing this out in each breath.
• Centile (in the US, this is known as percentile) – Growth is measured and then recorded on a centile chart.  In the UK, the charts used are produced by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health who periodically assess the changes in growth to ensure these charts remain current.  The different centiles identify the average growth of UK children at different ages.  Each centile line represents the percentage of the population at that specific age, who are a specific height or weight.  These charts are replicated for every UK child and are published in the Child Development book – often known as the Red book, although the colour can vary across the UK.
• Epiphyses (growth plate) – in children, there is an area at the end of the long bones called the epiphyseal plate or growth plate.  This area contains bone cells that can multiple to create new bone making the bones longer and the child to grow.  The rate of growth is affected by a number of factors – eg. nutrition and stress, but also the amount of growth hormone and thyroxine produced.  The growth plate fuses at the end of puberty as the child reaches their final adult height.
• Gene – is a tiny part of a DNA molecule that is the base unit of heredity.  The genes contain the information that instruct the body to develop different characteristics – eye colour, etc.  Genes group together to form the DNA strand or a chromosome.  Each cell of a person’s body will typically have 23 pairs of chromosomes which provide the genetic basis for each person’s physical characteristics.
• Growth Hormone – is a chemical messenger or hormone that acts in the liver to produce Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 together with thyroxine, stimulate the bones to grow at the epiphyses (growth plate).
• Growth Plate (Epiphyseal plate) – in children, there is an area at the end of the long bones called the epiphyseal plate or growth plate.  This area contains bone cells that can multiple to create new bone making the bones longer and the child to grow.  The rate of growth is affected by a number of factors – eg. nutrition and stress, but also the amount of growth hormone and thyroxine produced.  The growth plate fuses at the end of puberty as the child reaches their final adult height.
• Hormone – is a chemical messenger which instructs other organs to regulate or control the activity of cells and tissues, eg growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland tells the liver to produce IGF-1 and thyroid stimulating hormone also produced by the pituitary gland tells the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine.  These two hormones together act on the bone cells in long bones of the body to multiply and create new bone, so the child grows taller.
• Lateralisation – is the term given when the brain starts to specialise and different areas of the brain undertake different roles.
• Melatonin - a hormone that induces and supports sleep. It is secreted in response to darkness.
• Myelin Sheath – is the covering of fatty cells that insulates and speeds neural impulses by about tenfold.
• Myelination - the development of a fatty cover or sheath around the neuron (nerve) that allows the impulse (message) to jump from node to node more quickly as depolaristaion/repolarisation occurs only at the nodes instead of along the entire neuron.
• Pituitary gland – is a pea sized organ, looking like a cherry with a stalk, at the base of the brain that is involved in stimulating the production of hormones in the body in response to instructions by the hypothalamus.  It is often called the master gland as it controls some of the body systems.  It has two lobes – anterior and posterior.
• Synaptic pruning - is the term used in the development of the brain.  Connections are made between parts of the brain using synapses as the brain grows.  So many are produced that the brain needs to prune the connections that aren't used to support the child's ability to develop.
• Thyroxine - produced by the thyroid gland in response to thyroid stimulating hormone. It regulates the body’s metabolic rate.

 

Books

Bee, H. and Boyd, D. (2004) The Developing Child. 10th ed. Pearson.
Sheridan, M. revised and updated by Sharma, A., Cockerill, H. (2008) From Birth to Five Years . Routledge.

Journals

Physical development - from two to five years old - Print summary

Between the ages of 2 and 5 years old, growth is steady and provides the basis for the child to explore their environment. Changes occur in the skeleton, muscles and soft tissues than enable the child to extend and refine gross and fine motor skills. Writing becomes possible as the child learns to produce letters. Growth occurs largely under hormonal influences and follows defined trajectories that can be mapped using standard tools. The child is starting to integrate the different aspects of development. Having the physical ability is allowing the child to learn and to develop intellectually, but similarly the more they understand, the more they are driven to explore their world even further.

Learning outcomes

By completing this resource you will be able to:

• Describe the major physical changes that occur from 2 to 5 years of age

Please type any additional notes and comments you have on this resource in the field below: Print

Learning outcomes

By completing this resource you will be able to:

• Describe the major physical changes that occur from 2 to 5 years of age

This resource was developed by:

Name: Mary Y Brown

Role in Project: Content Author

Qualifications: MMSci Ed, PGCertPT, BSc (Hons), RNCB, RNT.

Previous experience: Mary is an Assistant Professor with the School of Health Sciences teaching communication skills, innovation and recognising culture and diversity through experiential learning. She is a Registered Nurse Child Branch with a specialty in Paediatric Oncology and supporting children with complex needs and their families.

Name: Louise Clarke

Role in Project: Content Author

Qualifications: PGCHE, BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology, Diploma in Nursing, RN Child, FHEA.

Previous experience: Louise's clinical career involved a variety of medical and surgical settings and a specialisation in paediatric plastics and cleft lip and palate care. She is currently employed as a Child Health Lecturer at the University of Nottingham involved in teaching communication, interpersonal and leadership skills alongside facilitating the development of clinical practical skills in undergraduate children's nurses.

Name: Carol Hall

Role in Project: Content Author

Qualifications: PhD, RSCN, RGN, RNT, PFHEA.

Previous experience: Carol is an experienced nurse teacher and children's nurse, who worked across a range of children's acute healthcare settings before becoming a ward manager on a teenage care ward for young people with both physical and mental health concerns. Carol is currently an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Education within the School of Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham.

Name: Liz Hilton

Role in Project: Technical Developer

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Graphic Design, BSc (Hons) Biology,

Previous experience: Liz has a wide background in design and E-learning in a wide range of sectors, including industry, the NHS and academic.

Name: Laura Holliday

Role in Project: Content Author

Qualifications: MNursSci, RN Child.

Previous experience: Laura's clinical experience includes children's cardiology, medicine and respiratory. She has previously led a hospital wide preceptorship programme, working within a practice development team. She is currently employed as a Teaching Associate in Child Health at the University of Nottingham.

Name: Lydia Jones

Role in Project: Technical Support and audio manager

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Media Production.

Previous experience: Lydia has worked in the HELM team at the University of Nottingham for 7 years and is currently the e-learning and project development officer. She has many years' experience in project management and audio and video production.

Name: Gill Langmack

Role in Project: Lead Content Author

Qualifications: MSc, PGCHE, BSc (Hons) Nursing, RSCN, RGN, FHEA.

Previous experience: As an experienced Children's Nurse and educator, Gill has extensive experience of nursing children and their families in both acute and critical care areas. Gill is currently lecturing as an Assistant Professor within the University of Nottingham, School of Health Sciences.

Name: Helen Laverty

Role in Project: Principal Content Reviewer

Qualifications: MSc. (Human Development), Cert Ed (FE), RNLD, SFHEA

Previous experience: Helen is an Assistant Professor with the School of Health Sciences & Professional Lead for learning Disability Nursing. Her teaching specialities relate to the concept of ordinariness, human development, and person centred philosophies. She has extensive experience in the development of RLOs. She is a Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities specialising in promoting an ordinary life for children and young people and leadership.

Name: Andrew Lee

Role in Project: Technical Developer

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Economics.

Previous experience: Andrew has 5 years web development experience working with small businesses, consultancy and app. creation. Twelve years game design experience as senior designer and design lead with oversight of design scripting, level design, scheduling and game mechanics.

Name: Liz Maslen

Role in Project: Project Lead (NCC)

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Psychology, CMI PGDip.

Previous experience: Liz currently works as the Children's Workforce Development Manager at Nottinghamshire County Council. She has 17 years' experience within the childcare sector, and during this time has worked within voluntary, statutory and private organisations. She has also been involved with the management and delivery of regional and national training programmes aimed at multi-agency frontline practitioners and parent groups.

Name: Roz McCormick

Role in Project: Content Initiator

Qualifications: BA (Hons)

Previous experience: Roz is a qualified probation officer. She has worked in education, criminal justice and training since 1995, and has initiated, developed and delivered a variety of developmental projects with the intention of enabling professionals to work in partnership with service users. She initiated contact with University of Nottingham in pursuit of a rock solid knowledge base upon which to create a robust child development learning platform.

Name: Sally Melling

Role in Project: Content Author

Qualifications: EdD, MPhil, BA (Hons) Nursing, RN (Adult), RN Child, RNT

Previous experience: Sally is an Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham. She has over 30 years' experience as a children's nurse and educator. She is currently the Professional Lead for children's nursing.

Name: Elisabeth O'Brien

Role in Project: Lead Content Author

Qualifications: MEd, PGCHE, BSc (Hons), RGN, RHV, Obs Cert, FHEA.

Previous experience: Elisabeth worked in neonatal intensive care and a Bone Marrow Transplant unit . After working as Health Visitor in the U.K and abroad she joined the Child Health Team at the University of Nottingham.

Name: Cherry Poussa

Role in Project: Technical team manager

Qualifications: MSc, BSc.

Previous experience: Cherry is Head of Digital Learning Support Services in the School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham with responsibility for IT systems, e-learning and online services and managing the integration of technical platforms to support the processes within these areas. She plays a key part in implementing the HELM strategy and supporting the technical and budgetary aspects of e-learning and digital media research projects.

Name: Mike Taylor

Role in Project: Technical Lead

Qualifications: MSc in Information Technology, PGC in Multi-Media design, BA (Hons) Media and cultural studies.

Previous experience: Mike has worked as a learning technologist for over 10 years at the University of Nottingham. He is currently the Project Development Lead for the HELM team and is working on the development of reusable learning objects (RLOs) both for the school of health sciences and for external projects.

Name: Richard Warr

Role in Project: Technical Implementer

Qualifications: MCIPD.

Previous experience: Originally an Optician, Richard moved into training, initially clinical support and then as a professional examiner. Over the next 25 years he became CIPD qualified and a member of the British Psychological Society. He has supported learners in: personal development, leadership and management, psychometric profiling, customer service and bespoke systems training amongst others. Over the last 4 years Richard has focussed on eLearning design and learning systems management within Nottinghamshire County Council.

Name: Richard Windle

Role in Project: Project Lead and Instructional Designer

Qualifications: PhD, PGCAP, BSc (Hon), PFHEA

Previous experience: Richard is an Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham. He is currently co-academic lead for the HELM team. As well as leading online curriculum development, his research and development interests include open multimedia learning content pedagogy and reuse, stakeholder involvement in content development and student generated content.

With thanks to the following who reviewed the content of the resources:

University of Nottingham Nursing students (Child field):

Ryan Clarke, Clare Cribdon, Aoife Fehilly, Rosanna Jones, Ruth Jones, Kelly Parker, Simone Portman and Molly Wright

University of Nottingham Lecturers in Health Sciences:

Paula Dawson, Damion McCormick, Alexandra Lewandowska-Smith and Heather Wharrad

Nottingham County Council Family Workers:

Helen Bingley, Susan Bird, Debbie Jesson, Meena Sharma, Dina Vitelli and Sharon Warman

With Thanks to:

The young people their families and colleagues who have provided audio and visual resources.

James Henderson, Thomas Stackpoole and Stathis Konstantinidis who provided additional audio narration for these resources.

Kirstie Coolin, Simon Riley and Nicholas Whiting for additional technical support.

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