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Pediatric Dentistry: Is It All Child’s Play?

August 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Article by Rob Taylor

It’s all too easy to get caught up in the cares and concerns of our health when we’re adults, but let’s not forget that our little ones need just as much care and attention – sometimes even more so.

We all know that kids can get into all sorts of trouble, whether they’re in the playground or scribbling all over your freshly painted living room wall. Sometimes, though, these mishaps can end up causing a lost tooth or other types of dental damage. That’s where pediatric dentistry comes in. It’s a special branch of dentistry that deals exclusively with children, and it could very well save your child’s smile one day.

What is Pediatric Dentistry?

Because the nature and structure of a child’s teeth differs drastically from that of an adult, the amount of care needed and the way it is delivered needs to be different too. For this reason, pediatric dentistry was created. The ‘behind the scenes’ aspects of pediatric dentistry aims to discover new ways to deal with the various infections and problems that children can encounter, whilst the ‘front line’ is made up of actual pediatric dentists, who are experienced in treating a range of oral hygiene problems in children.

One factor that has to be considered by pediatric dentists is the fact that children often have ‘baby teeth’, which will eventually fall out and be replaced with their adult counterparts. Because the size and shape of these teeth is very different to their adult forms, the tools and procedures are also very different. Pediatric dentists also come across a range of oral hygiene issues with kids because they have a tendency to not want to clean their teeth, and are difficult to convince of the benefits. Call it the arrogance of youth, but for some reason, telling them their teeth will drop out when they’re old doesn’t seem to bother them!

What Are the Benefits of Pediatric Dentistry?

There are a whole host of benefits that are associated with proper pediatric dental care. First and foremost is obviously the health of your child’s teeth. Children are notoriously difficult when it comes to oral hygiene, and a pediatric dentist can give you all sorts of advice which will help you do a better job of imparting the skills necessary for your child to retain a great set of pearly whites.

It is generally recommended that you take your child to see a pediatric dentist roughly once every six months. This will ensure that their teeth are receiving the best possible care. The pediatric dentist will give the child’s teeth a thorough checkup and, if necessary, a good clean. Another benefit of a pediatric dentist is that they are able to provide you with knowledge that you probably couldn’t gain elsewhere. They can teach you how to clean your children’s teeth properly, including flossing and mouthwash if appropriate.

What Sort of Issues can a Pediatric Dentist Deal With?

Pediatric dentists are fully qualified to deal with a range of issues that affect a child’s oral hygiene. For example, your child may at some point suffer from plaque buildup or tooth decay. A pediatric dentist can teach your child how to avoid this situation in future, as well as repairing any damage and removing the plaque. Pediatric dentists can also help with any diseases that may affect your child’s mouth.

Whilst relatively rare, it is possible that your child could contract mild gum disease (known as gingivitis) or an infection (this can happen a lot, as children tend to put things in their mouths). The dentist will be able to treat these problems in a way that is appropriate for a child. There are some ‘adult’ treatments that are simply too harsh to be applied to a child’s mouth. Pediatric dentistry utilizes well researched alternatives to ensure the safety of the child throughout any of these procedures.

Should You Take Your Child to a Pediatric Dentist?

The short answer to this is yes. Overall, it makes a lot more sense to employ someone who is specifically trained in the area to take care of your child’s oral hygiene. Whilst an ‘adult’ dentist will gladly treat a child, there is always a risk that they may not use the most gentle or effective methods to treat a child’s oral hygiene problems.

To be on the safe side, it really is important to have your child’s teeth looked at by a pediatric dentist at least once every six months. If any issues occur ‘in the between’ you can always make an appointment to see a pediatric dentist in the same way you would an adult one. Remember, the health and future of your children’s teeth really is in your hands.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.

Filed Under: Child Health Services Tagged With: , , ,

Talking to Your Child’s Teacher

August 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Talking to Your Child’s Teacher

It’s important to establish a healthy discourse with your child’s teacher: you’ll get insight into your child’s performance in school and ensure that he is being educated properly. If your relationship with your child’s teacher isn’t as good as it could be, use these articles, tips, and resources to improve parent-teacher communication and create a winning team for your child.

Getting to Know the Teacher

When selecting a preschool, consider these factors: safety, cleanliness, general curriculum, overall philosophy, cost, and location. Try to meet the teacher before making your selection and make an appointment to visit the classroom. Watch how the teacher interacts with the kids, talk with the teacher, and ask questions.

While in the classroom, pay attention to how the teacher runs the class and how the children respond to his or her direction. If the kids seem happy and interact well with the teacher, chances are good that the teacher’s classroom style will be a fit for your child as well.

How to work with your child’s teacher to help him in school.

She’s the other adult in your child’s life. He has almost as much influence over your children as you do, in some cases more. Your child’s teacher is a vital part of your child’s education and a big part of his life.

Getting to know your child’s teacher and keeping lines of communication open are as important to your child’s schooling as studying for quizzes and turning in homework.

Whether it’s at a scheduled parent teacher conference or a private meeting set up to discuss your child, you can form a relationship with your child’s teacher through communication.

Here are seven tips for talking to teachers.

1. Meet your child’s teachers early. Back to School Nights and Parents’ Open Houses in the fall are often group settings that don’t allow you to make personal contact with your child’s teachers.

After the first few weeks of school, call or email your child’s teachers and ask for quick sit-down, just to introduce yourself. Most teachers, as busy as they are, don’t mind meeting personally with parents for a short conference. Here you can address early anything about your child you want his teachers to know.

The more contact you have with your child’s teacher the better. Getting involved in a volunteer opportunity at school will bring a closer relationship between you and your child’s teacher.

2. Show up for offered conferences. If your child’s school has optional parent-teacher conferences, schedule one, whether or not your child is having a problem.

Teachers appreciate meeting the parents of their non-problem students, too! Having met your child’s teachers face to face will give you a better perspective when your child talks about his school day.

3. Don’t be intimidating. Remember teachers are around youngsters all day. They’re likely to be more intimidated by you than you are by them. If you are meeting with your child’s teacher, whether at a scheduled conference or just a conversation you’ve asked for, remember that you’re both adults who want the best for your child.

4. Arrive prepared. Before the conference jot down a few points you want to cover, questions you want to ask, and concerns you have. The teacher will see this as a sign that you are taking the meeting seriously.

Talk to your child before your meeting with his teacher. Ask him if there’s anything he’d like you to bring up.

Your conversation with your child’s teacher is a two-way street. You’re there to get information about your child’s education, and also to provide the teacher with information about your child, his home life, special needs and circumstances that can help her teach him better.

5. Take notes. Take a paper and pencil in with you and be prepared to take notes. After the conference, immediately talk to your child about the meeting and what was said.

6. Don’t be defensive. If the teacher brings up problems your child is having, don’t be quick to offer excuses and don’t get defensive. Ask questions, ask for specific examples of the problem and then ask what you can do at home to help.

7. Start out with a positive. If you are bringing up complaints about your child’s teacher, don’t start off the conference with a negative. Bring up one or two examples of his or her teaching that you’re happy with. Then approach the negative. Try not to nitpick or make your complaints too personal. Emphasize why you feel it’s not best for your child. Don’t let your emotions or anger take over the conversation.

According to the National Education Association’s tips for parents, the best parent teacher conferences are those in which both parent and teacher stay calm and try hard to work together to help the child do well. “Arguing or blaming each other for problems your child is having, helps no one.”

Building a Relationship

It’s important to form a good relationship with your child’s preschool teacher — for both you and your child. Approach the teacher with an open mind and clear, direct questions, so that you can be a part of your child’s preschool experience and take pride in your little one’s achievements.

Remember to also share praise — both yours and your child’s — with the teacher, as well as his or her supervisor (“My child really enjoys storytime,” for example). This approach not only makes the teacher feel appreciated, but also creates a positive framework that makes it easier for teachers to receive any negative feedback in a constructive way.

Think of yourself and your child’s teacher as a team whose shared goal is to help make your child’s preschool experience a happy and productive one.

Filed Under: Healthy Child Tagged With: , ,

5 Ways to Build Your Child?s Confidence

August 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

When your child fails in kindergarten or does not like going to school, chances are, that he does not feel competent in performing his school work. A child, who loses confidence in himself, believes that there are countless things he cannot do. It is up for you, parents, to help boost his morale and help him develop self confidence. Once, he starts trusting in his own capability, he will excel in kindergarten and love going to school.

Here are five ways to build your child’s confidence.

1. Love your child for who he is in spite of himself. Children are sensitive to the way their parents treat them. They sense right away if a sibling is the favorite. For example, the prettiest daughter is mother’s favorite because she is proud of her beauty. This would make all the others feel inferior and inadequate. Make no comparison between your children. Remember that each child is unique. Accept your child for the way he is and he will develop self-confidence.

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2. Allow your child to be independent. Give her the opportunity to do things for herself, not only the easy tasks, but also the difficult ones. But if she asks for your help, be there for her. Let her stumble but be around to lift her up. She will develop skills and patience to do difficult things and gain confidence in being able to do them.

3. Impose discipline fairly. When a child breaks a rule, refrain from physical punishment, it can create more problems. A child, who is always a subject of corporeal punishment, may use physical force to solve a problem. His obedience must not be due to fear but rather the belief in doing what is right. Say no to the action, not to the child.

4. Prescribe a rule for discipline; establish acceptable behavior and its consequences. Be consistent. Do not harangue or say hurting and insulting words. Do not harp on the child’s past offenses. Do not belittle a child’s capability. Do not impose excessive punishment and always be forgiving. Giving the child a second chance will also help her recover her self-confidence.

5. Love is the antidote to all woes in this world; love your child and be delighted in him. Express acceptance and pride in his achievements. Accept his fears and laugh together. Shower him with your loving kisses and Pooh bear hugs. Love and affection will go a long way in bringing up a physically and emotionally healthy child who will do well in kindergarten and in life.

These are five ways to build up your child’s confidence.

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Reducing Sugar and Fat in Your Child’s Breakfast…While Adding Nutrition and Taste

July 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Wanting more nutrition and taste in your kid’s breakfast without completely eliminating all of the “fun” sugary cereals in your home? There are ways to keep both of you happy by reducing the artificial sugar and flavors with yummy, nutritious substitutes. Flax seeds, fresh fruit, stevia, honey and the odd nut are some ways to get on track. Here’s how you can incorporate the good stuff, sneak out some of the bad…and satisfy your little one in the process.

Let your child choose their favorite breakfast cereal. If it’s sugary, that’s ok. Many children enjoy looking that the boxes and mulling over their choices. Be patient and let them take their time. If you consciously mix up your “healthy” cereals with the sugary ones in the cupboard, your child may surprise you and begin to develop a taste for and/or picking them for breakfast on their own.

After your child has picked their cereal, pour it into their bowl until it is about 1/3- 1/2 full. Depending on your goals, decide on the ratio of “not-so-nutritious” to “nutritious” based on the sugar/color/added flavors of the cereal.

Do your best to “match up” your child’s sugary cereal with a similar healthy, nutritious cereal or fruit. For example:

*Fruit Loops can be paired with whole grain, regular or Honey Nut Cheerios;
*Frosted Flakes can be paired easily with plain Corn Flakes;
*Golden Grahams can be paired with Life cereal;
*Cocoa Crispies can be paired with plain Rice Crispies

You can also mix and match  “healthy” cereals for texture and flavor to keep things interesting, or allow your child to have a half bowl of their favorite sugary cereal, and make up the other half with fruit. Cut up complimentary fruits into small bite sized pieces so it ‘becomes’ a natural part of the meal. The sugar from the cereal will quickly and seamlessly also sweeten any fruit.

Adding a good helping of fruit to a bowl of cereal is a great way to ensure your little one kickstarts their day with a full serving of “nature’s candy”. Adding dried fruit or nuts also packs a bunch of ‘good’ sugars’, nutrients and texture without sacrificing any flavor.

If your substitutions leave your child complaining that the cereal is not sweet enough or just plain bland, add a little stevia (a natural sweetener) or a swirl of honey. While in the process of ‘weaning’ your child from a sugar habit, this can be a temporary, happy medium.

It is possible for you and your kids to be enthusiastic about a delicious, healthy, and easy breakfast! Just change things up and get adventurous…you’ll both be glad you did!

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Mason Pearson Child’s Hair Brush – Blue

June 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Mason Pearson Child’s Hair Brush – Blue

  • 5 rings of boar tufts
  • 6 3/4 inches long (head length is 3 1/2 inches) and 2 inches wide

The Mason Pearson Child’s Sensitive Boar Bristle Hair Brush (CB4) is a smaller “child’s” size brush with 5 rings of boar tufts. The brush is 6 3/4 inches long (head length is 3 1/2 inches) and 2 inches wide. The size is the next size down from the handy size brush and is the smallest of the handled brushes.Mason Pearson have established a unique reputation for hairbrushes. The reason for this is in the quality, design and versatility of the brushes. Unique spired tufts of bristle set in a pneumatic pad so that every tuft penetrates right through to the scalp.

List Price: $ 84.00

Price:

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Vitamin D is Essential to a Child’s Healthy Growth

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Vitamin D deficiency is more of a danger than most parents realize. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that supports strong bones but also aids in the absorption of many other nutrients. Children need this essential vitamin not only for bone development, but for every tissue in their body to function properly.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause many growth and health complications in children. For one, not getting enough of the nutrient can lead to rickets, a softening of the bones. This causes the bones to be easily injured and broken. Rickets also causes bow legs, stunted growth, and spine curvature. Vitamin D also helps prevent conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, periodontal disease, and many forms of cancer. A deficiency in vitamin D also compromises children’s immune systems. The body requires proper levels of vitamin D to help reduce the risk of infections, common colds, and the flu.

It is estimated that most children are Vitamin D deficient.

Some cases are much more severe than others. A doctor or pediatrician can tell you whether or not your child is vitamin D deficient enough to warrant concern. A good idea would be to ask your child’s pediatrician about it during your child’s next physical or doctor’s visit.

You can also take control of your child’s vitamin D intake naturally from the sun. After the skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun’s natural rays, the skin transforms the radiation into vitamin D. Since this is how most children and adults receive vitamin D it is easy to see that this is also the reason why many children are deficient. Children are not spending adequate amounts of time in the sun. Only about 30 minutes of exposure is necessary in a day to get proper levels of vitamin D.

Children in colder weather climates are usually even more prone to deficiency. The skin does not synthesize vitamin D as effectively in the cold. Make sure your child is getting adequate amounts of sun exposure during the week. Take a walk in the park instead of going to the movies, go for a swim, or just let them play happily in the backyard.

Supplements are one of the easiest ways to help your child get proper amounts of vitamin D. Supplements come in many forms such as hard pills for adults and gummy vitamins for children. Go to your local pharmacy and see what types of vitamin D supplements they carry. If gummy vitamin D is not available in the store, you can order them from suppliers readily found on the internet.

There are few foods that are rich in vitamin D. However, including them in a well-balanced diet is still important. Some vitamin D rich foods are salmon, shrimp, and most wild-caught fish, eggs, milk, yogurt, seeds such as pumpkin and flax seed, and whole grain oatmeal. It is nearly impossible to get all the vitamin D children need from food, especially if they are picky eaters, so supplementing with natural sunshine or supplements is always a good idea.

It is hard for children to get too much vitamin D. Skin naturally stops making vitamin D when it receives enough of it from the sun. It is also hard to overdose on vitamin D through supplements, but they should still be taken with caution. Heed the dosage amount on the back of the supplement bottle or if there is any question over the proper dose you should ask a pharmacist or your doctor.

Researchers are discovering more and more benefits from vitamin D. This little known vitamin it a key element to our developing tissues, bone health, and strong immune system. Analyze your diet, lifestyle, and health to see if more vitamin D is what your family needs.

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Major Lifestyle Change: How To Deal With Your Child’s Obesity

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Obesity is a major problem now faced by many societies all over the world. But it is especially alarming in children.

In the United States alone, it has been reported that there are over nine million children, aged six and above, suffering from obesity and their numbers are still increasing.

Asian children, although generally still considered healthy, are now also at a great risk especially with the rising popularity of fast food joints and junk food kiosks.

In the Philippines, a simple trip to the supermarket could be a veritable battlefield for a child and his parent with the high volume of snacks and candies on display at the snack aisle, or aisles, as the case may be.

Childhood obesity is not only a problem for the health risks it poses (type-2 diabetes, heart problems in adulthood), but also for possible humiliation and depression if the child is subjected to public ridicule and bullying.

Most parents are already aware that children need to eat healthy and exercise more to lessen the risk of becoming obese. But being aware isnt enough. As a parent, it is your duty to make sure that your child lives a healthy, normal life.

Be the example
To set your child on the right path to health and fitness, first things first, assess your own wellness habits. More often than not, parents of obese children tend to be obese themselves.

Be sure that you yourself are willing to make certain sacrifices in your eating and exercising habits so as to set a good example for your children.

Even if you are not obese, it is still a good idea to set a wellness goal for yourself. Show her that you are an active, health-conscious parent and there is a strong chance that your child will follow suit.

Get them involved
Children are naturally curious little beings. Ever notice how your little one seems to cling to your every word and replicates your every action?

Make good use of his curiosity and her inquisitiveness by letting them join you in preparing meals.

If they are younger, and cant really help in the duties in the kitchen, let them help by naming fruits and vegetables in the pantry (but make sure you know what those veggies are and how to prepare them, should they decide to ask).

Older children can be put to good use in mixing together ingredients, or you can also stand watch over them as they pour ingredients and press buttons on the food processor.

If you have money to spare, you can also purchase ceramic knives that are especially suited for younger ‘chefs. These knives are rather sharp when it comes to cutting food but is incredibly dull on delicate fingers.

Same goes for physical activity. Choose one that can easily involve the whole family, such as bike-riding, running in the backyard or simply walking around the block.

Be understanding but firm
Lastly, be prepared for a confrontation with your child once you decide that the whole family needs to be healthier.

For some children, even some adults, the junk food has been a form of addiction. Not as serious as a drug addiction, but it can be just as difficult to break.

If there should ever come a time when your child starts wailing and screaming about the hideous green thing on his plate, dont get mad. Stay calm. Yelling at him at the same time will not help matters. If anything, it will make things worse.

As with most tantrum fits, its best to ignore them. Let them wail and scream all they want; if you need to, carry the child to a safe, isolated area where he can let the tantrum run its course. Then calmly sit him down to explain why you both need to make a change in your diet.

But whatever you do, dont use food as a reward or a punishment. Try to firmly stick to the rules you have set for the whole family. Remember that you are not depriving your child of fun foods; instead you are helping him make better decisions, health-wise.

In other words, be a mentor, not a dictator.

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Top Tips for Improving Your Child’s Behavior

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Article by Matt Barnes

These are my top three tips for dealing with a mis-behaving and difficult child. By using these tips, you will eliminate the frustration and many challenges a mis-behaving child presents us with. And both your nerves and your child will be a lot happier, too!

~Your Childs Diet will have a significant impact on their behavioral patterns!

Sugar can transform a child. It can turn the happy go lucky, even tempered and obedient child into a troubled, whining, and irritable nightmare. Many parents, although they know that sugar has a negative impact on their childs behavior, continue to feed this outcome by allowing their children to drink undiluted juices full of sugar, and give into their demands to eat snacks such as cookies, candy, and other sweets. *If you want to improve your child’s behavior dramatically you must eliminate sugar completely.

Research points out that children with a poor diets are more likely to become tempermental and non social. Research from the University of Southern California found a lack of zinc, iron, vitamin B and protein in the first three years is a precursure to bad behavior later on.

~Exercise is another key to a healthy and happy child!

Children have endless amounts of energy that will result in restlessness when harnessed. They are more coordinated than the average adult; they want to climb, jump, and run whenever possible. They just love being active and adventurous!

Aerobic exercise, is a key intregal part of healthy child development. The California Department of Education found that those children who are regularly exposed to aerobic exercise, have higher test scores in school than those who do not participate in aerobic exercise consistantly. “Charles Hillman of the University of Illinois also related aerobic capacity to better attention, working memory and processing speed. This is because aerobic exercises improve the delivery of oxygen in the body, including the brain, which helps it function better.”

~If you want your child to be happy and well behaved you need to treat them with love and respect.

Your child is in tune to whatever is going on around them. What your child see’s and how your child gets treated, they will duplicate this behavior. If your frustrations are heaped on your child and you do not treat them with love and respect it will come back to you in the form of misbehavior.

Children are like a sponge, they absorb everything around them rapidly. What they see and hear on a daily basis is what will be duplicated by our children. So if you want your children to be kind, we need to be kind to others. If we want our children to listen and be respectful we need to listen and be respectful ourselves. Lead by example don’t tell them to act a certian way and you do the opposite. Don’t wait until your childs behavior gets progressively worse take action today. Lead the right way!

Of course, utilizing and putting into action these three tips are just the beginning to Great Behavior in a Mis-Behaving Child and a better relationship with your child!

~Keep as much sugar products out of your child’s diet as much as possible. ~Make sure they are active, and get to excercise regularly. ~Your child wants to be loved and respected just like you.

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Your Childs Brain

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The brain is a vital organ that needs to be nurtured from birth. It is protected by eight bones and three layers of tissue. The eight bones make up what is called the cranium, or skull. The skull protects the brain and won’t be fully developed until your child is about twenty years old. Taking care of the brain from birth will help it to develop into a strong healthy machine.

Imagine life without memory. What would you do if you woke up and didn’t know where you were? What if you didn’t know how to take a shower, get dressed or tie your shoes? A lot of people don’t stop to think about these things. It would be pretty hard to survive without a brain.

Head injuries are one of the common causes of disability and death in children. Almost all children will bump their heads while learning to roll, crawl, walk or even ride a bike. The more force that is caused in a head injury, the more likely the brain has received a serious injury.

Brain injuries can cause seizures, vomiting, concussion, severe pain, nausea, loss of consciousness, and even bleeding from the head or face. If you notice any of these symptoms, especially after your child has bumped his or her head, call 911 right away. If your child stops breathing for more than a few seconds, start rescue breathing until help arrives.

There are a lot of things we can do to help protect our children’s brains. We can start by giving them the nourishment they need to survive. Eating fresh fruits and vegetable is a good start. Getting them on a daily vitamin is also good. Making sure they wear their helmets while riding their bikes and teaching them how to safely cross the street is also important. Always remember to put a seat belt on your child, and make sure the seat belt isn’t defective. Make your home safe from falls to prevent injury, causing head trauma.

Since the brain is active while we are sleeping, it would probably be a good idea so shut those video games off at least on an hour before bed . . . and no scary movies before covering up. Everyone knows bad dreams cause a bad nights sleep. Your child and his or her brain are a team, just as you and your brain are. If you do your best to protect it, it will do its best to keep your child happy and healthy for years to come.

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Tips On Child’s Health Monitoring

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Parents most at times think that their work is to support children to become great men and women but fail to think about the responsibility of working together with the physicians on monitoring how their kids are growing. Every parent is a pediatrician so all parents must know the basic pediatrics tactics. The best you can give to your kid as a parent is to know the changes in his or her life.
Growth and development represent a continuous interaction of biologic processes that begin at birth and terminate at death. The integrity and the quality of these processes are influenced by a myriad of variables, including genetic, physiologic, biochemical, psychological, and socio-economic factors. Physicians are uniquely responsible for safeguarding and enhancing growth and development but parents too has a big role to play here. The traditional medical role focuses on preventing, detecting, and treating the noxious influences that can impair these processes.
Knowledge of the normal growth and development of children is essential for preventing and detecting disease by recognizing overt deviations from normal patterns, Although the processes of growth and development are not completely separable, it’s convenient to refer to “Growth” as the increase in the size of the body as a whole or the increase in its separate parts, and to reserve “development” for changes in function, including those influenced by the emotional and social environments. The development of the human organism is a large, complex topic. To identify and treatment underlying disorders, all who care for children must be familiar with normal patterns of growth and development so that they can recognize abnormal variations.
Within the broad limits that characterize normal development, every individual’s path of growth and development through the life’s cycle is unique, with a range of complex, interrelated changes occurring from the molecular to the behavioral level. One goal of pediatrics is to help each child achieve his or her individual potential for growth and development and thus become a mature adult. Periodically monitoring each child for the normal progression of growth.

Physical development is a dynamical process of growth and biological maturation of a child usually referred to as a unit, express the sum of the numerouschanges that take place during the different periods of childhood.

Growth implies a change in quantity and results when cells divide and synthesize new proteins. This increase in number and size of cells is reflected in increased size and weight of the whole or any of its pans.

Maturation, which literally means to ripen, is described as aging or as an increase in competence and adaptability. It is usually used to describe a qualitative change, that is, a change in the complexity of a structure that makes it possible for that structure to begin functioning or to function at a higher level.

Very simply, growth can be viewed as a quantitative change, and development as a qualitative change. Children “grow” by maintaining a positive balance of increase over loss in size: they “‘grow up” by maturing in structure and function.

The main criterions of assessment of physical development are:

•            weight;

•                  height (stature, head-to-heel length);

•                  head circumference (HC);

•                  chest circumference;

•                  proportionality of these measurements.

To determine whether or not growth and development have taken place, the child can be compared to a representative group of children at the same point intime (cross-sectional method), or the same child can be measured and compared at different points in time (longitudinal method). Standards or norms for the study ofdevelopmental progress have been established by these two contrasting methods. The most commonly employed technique for assessment of child’s physicaldevelopment is measurement of height and weight. When compared with standardized norms, a child’s developmental progress can be determined with a high degree of confidence.

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