Running head: DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND THE SCHOOL-AGED CHILD 1 Developmental Assessment and the School-Aged Child Grand Canyon University: Health Assessment NRS-434VN DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND THE SCHOOL-AGED CHILD 2 Developmental Assessment and the School-Aged Child The developmental assessment of the school-aged child ages 5-12 will be discussed in this paper. The pediatric assessment of the school-aged child needs to be comprehensive and tailored to the age and needs of the child and the developmental stage in which the child belongs. School-aged children are mentally active, eager learners and understand cause and effect in situations, at this stage building of self-esteem and a desire to fit in with their peers in seen. Lifestyle choices will begin to occur, and the child may have poor judgment. It is crucial to discuss substance abuse and sexual education during this stage of life (Hagan, Shaw, and Duncan, 2017). Physical Assessment Assessment of this range is extensive; the nurse must understand the growth and developmental stages for each age group (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019b). When beginning the assessment modification according to the age of the child may be necessary to gain cooperation and encourage engagement of the child. Establishing a rapport with the caregiver or parent will also help build trust with the child. The inclusion of the child in the interview process is vital, and this will allow the nurse to assess language, social, intellect, and cognition of the child. An older child may need privacy when speaking with the nurse. A younger child may need distractions and play, while the older child may be more engaged by talking about their interest in school, friends, and extra activities outside of school (Hagan, Shaw, and Duncan, 2017). Developmental Stage The child five-years-old beginning school is experiencing new developmental challenges such as how prepared they are for school and separation for their parents. The language skill, DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND THE SCHOOL-AGED CHILD 3 understanding of reality, follows the rules and is beginning to show more independence. A child of five years cognitively can count to ten, show rapid development of mental skills, learn better through a description of experiences, and talk about thoughts and feelings (CDC, 2019a)