Children

 

Development

 

Early childhood is the most important developmental phase in life; our 'sensitivity periods' for the CNS, emotional response and control, and other developmental things are within the first few years.

These years affect the rest of our lives.

Social influences are thus quite important.

 

We need commitment from all levels of society.

"The conditions in which children are dying are the same conditions in which children are surviving." (Arjumand Siddiqi, CPHA national conference, 2008)

 

 

Pediatrics

 

A child is not a small adult; they are growing!

www.comsep.org - council on medical student education in pediatrics

A child is also integrally connected to a family unit.

Computer-Assisted Learning in Pediatrics Project (CLIPP) - put together through COMSEP

http://www.clippcases.org/login.htm

Sarah Shea is the coordinator here; she audits it (can find out how long we spend)

good to do for family medicine

 

Important skills

How to restrain the child during examination

Getting in and out quickly with the tongue blade to help see the tonsils

 

 

Needs

preventable injury is the leading cause of death (40%) in children 1-14

20% of our children suffer with mental health problems

26% of children are overweight or obese - tripled in 2 decades

1/6 children live in poverty

30% of children enter grade 1 with learning or behavioural difficulties

 

 

 

Programs to take care of Children

 

Comsep.org - medical students and pediatrics

 

Things Children Do