Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Introduction
While every child develops a little differently, most infants, toddlers, and preschoolers meet the same basic growth and development milestones. When milestones are not met, it is often a sign of an underlying health issue. Consider Maddie’s story. In early infancy, she successfully met each of the expected growth and development milestones and was even able to roll over by her 6th month. However, at 9 months, she suddenly stopped developing normally. She quit babbling and did not learn how to crawl until she was 15 months old. Maddie did not start walking until age 3, and at age 4, she was still being spoon-fed with baby food. In Maddie’s case, growth and development milestones were not met because of autism (Autism Society, 2011). As an advanced practice nurse, you must be able to identify signs of abnormal growth and development in patients like Maddie. Whether you facilitate treatment for these patients or refer them for specialized care, it is essential to offer support and guidance to these patients and their families.
This week you examine normal and abnormal growth and development in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. You also explore developmental red flags and assessment and management tools for these age groups.

Objectives

Students will:
Assess patients for developmental red flags of abnormal development
Analyze the stages of physical, social, and cognitive development for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
Differentiate between normal and abnormal growth and development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
Evaluate assessment and management tools, guidelines, and strategies for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
Understand and apply key terms, principles, and concepts related to growth and developmental issues for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
Assess pediatric patients with signs of growth and development and/or psychosocial issues

ASSIGNMENT

Practicum: Journal Entry

Reflect on a patient who presented with a growth and development or psychosocial issue during your Practicum experience. Describe your experience in assessing and managing the patient and his or her family. Include details of your “aha” (American heart Association) moment in identifying the patient’s growth and development or psychosocial issue. Then, explain how the experience connected your classroom studies to the real-world clinical setting.