Children's Understanding Of Health And Illness

Front 1

Understanding of Health and Illness: Infant

Back 1

By approximately 6 months of age, infants have developed an awareness of themselves as separate from their mother or father. They are unaware of the effects of illness. They feel anxious when approached by strangers.

Front 2

Understanding of Health and Illness: Toddler and Preschool Part 1

Back 2

Toddlers and preschoolers are beginning to understand illness, but not its cause. Preschoolers have a beginning understand- ing of germs but not how they spread. The child’s concept of the body usually is limited to names and locations of some body parts.

Front 3

Understanding of Health and Illness: Toddler and Preschool Part 2

Back 3

The child’s concept of internal organs and body functions is vague. They may view illness as a form of pun- ishment for bad behavior or something magical. Events that occur just before the onset of the illness may be mistakenly associ- ated with the illness.

Front 4

Understanding of Health and Illness: School age Child

Back 4

School-age children understand how germs are spread. Older school-age children have a more realistic understanding of the reasons for illness and are able to understand more about disease and how body or- gans are affected. The school-age child’s concept of body parts and function is maturing.

Front 5

Understanding of Health and Illness: Adolescent Part 1

Back 5

Adolescents are increasingly aware of the physiologic, psychologic, and behavioral causes of illness and injury. They understand that the disease may involve several causes and effects and that multiple organs or body parts may be involved.

Front 6

Understanding of Health and Illness: Adolescent Part 2

Back 6

The adolescent understands how symptoms can be related to certain organ functions in the body. Adolescents are concerned with appearance and perceive an illness or injury in terms of its effect on their body image.