Anatomy For Children: How Their Body Works
Teaching anatomy for children can be complex if we consider the varied number of organs we have and their various functions. In children, learning about their bodies arouses enormous curiosity; We must be prepared to answer all your questions in a pedagogical way.
As with any subject, imparting information to children should be done gradually; their capacities to process and rationalize the explanation we are giving them must be taken into account.
Starting from this reflection, we will present data on anatomical and functional changes in the body depending on the age of the children. In addition, the pedagogical resources most used in the teaching of anatomy are included.
Anatomy for Children: How Your Body Works
The anatomy of children differs from that of adults, since until the age of nine or ten several of their organs are in a period of immaturity. So, they are quite far from what will be their complete training as men or women.
So if we are to teach our children about anatomy, we must know the basic distinctions between their bodies and ours. We list them below:
Anatomical characteristics of children according to their growth stage
In general, introductory anatomy studies classify newborn infants, infants, preschool-age children, and school-age children up to ten years of age.
Anatomy of newborn children
Children who fall into this classification have a life span of 1 day to 28 days. The anatomy of newborns is distinguished by the immaturity of their organs ; Their average weight ranges between 2.5 and 3.5 kilograms; its skull measures about 34 centimeters and its limbs appear smaller and shorter in relation to its torso and head.
In his face, we can see that his sclera —white part of the eye— is bluish; his lips are thick and his upper lip sticks out for suction; it does not have teeth and may have an absence of hairs such as eyebrows or eyelashes.
Also, their neck is quite short, more than in other ages; the same goes for their limbs. Its abdomen is shaped like a balloon and its ribs are horizontal.
Infant Anatomy
The anatomy of infants is related to that of newborn babies, but is distinguished in that the nervous system begins to mature and they are able to perform movements at will, although in a rough or erratic manner.
The infant sleeps fewer hours a day compared to the newborn; its lowest average is 14 hours. You can differentiate taste changes in food and smell from your mother. After three months, the child can breathe through the mouth, but his larynx, trachea and bronchi are small.
Anatomy of Preschool Children
It is distinguished at these ages that the child’s cerebral cortex manages to develop. In addition, the ribs begin to change their shape from horizontal to oblique, their breathing begins to be thoracic and it stops being abdominal.
On the other hand, their heart begins to be located in the same position as that of adults, unlike the heart of infants, which is towards the center.
Anatomy of school-age children up to ten years
At this stage, children begin to resemble their bodies to adult forms and functions. This can be observed in the following aspects:
- Stomach position.
- Development of your nervous system.
- Number of hours they sleep —10 or 12 hours.
- The intrathoracic organs are located 50% in their final position.
- His respiratory rate decreases to 20 breaths per minute.
Resources for teaching anatomy for children
There are several pedagogical means that have been very useful to teach anatomy for children. The most prominent are:
- Books with funny illustrations: in this line, the Baby encyclopedia, The human body; My first anatomy book; and Super questions for kids, Human Body version.
- Anatomical games: they are very fun and children can take apart the pieces while the interior of our organism is revealed.
- Documentaries: the educational channels Discovery and Nat Geo have educational series in which they narrate, as a documentary, the process of formation of fetuses in the womb and the physical changes in the different stages of growth.
- Mobile or Tablet Apps: There are several fun apps where kids can play doctor while learning about human anatomy. They can be located and downloaded for Apple and Android.
With this little guide on anatomy for children, we are sure that you will be able to clarify some doubts. Of course, all are a complement to the educational proposals to teach children about the human body.
