Signs That Suggest Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment

Signs That Suggest Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment

Importance of Early Orthodontic Evaluation

The early years of a child's life are marked by rapid growth and development, including the crucial stage of dental formation. Braces work by gently applying pressure to move teeth into place Kids' dental alignment services patient. While it is common for children to have some irregularities in their teeth as they grow, certain signs may indicate misalignment that could benefit from comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Recognizing these early indicators can not only help in addressing aesthetic concerns but also prevent potential oral health issues later in life.


One of the most noticeable signs of misaligned teeth in children is crowding or spacing issues. Crowding occurs when there is insufficient space in the mouth for all the permanent teeth to fit properly, leading to overlapping or crooked teeth. Conversely, excessive spacing between teeth can also signal alignment problems and may result from missing teeth or an abnormal jaw structure. Both conditions can affect a child's bite and overall oral health, making early intervention crucial.


Another significant indicator is an improper bite, known medically as malocclusion. This includes overbites, where the upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower front teeth; underbites, where the lower front teeth extend beyond the upper front teeth; and crossbites, where some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth instead of outside them when biting down. These bite issues can lead to difficulties in chewing, speech impediments, and even jaw pain over time if left unaddressed.


Thumb sucking and prolonged use of pacifiers past infancy are habits that can contribute to dental misalignment. These behaviors exert pressure on developing gums and alignments, potentially leading to protruding front teeth or other alignment problems. Parents should be mindful of these habits and work with their pediatrician or dentist to discourage them before they cause long-term effects.


Additionally, noticing any consistent difficulty a child has with chewing or biting food can be a red flag for underlying orthodontic issues. Children might avoid certain foods due to discomfort caused by misaligned teeth or an incorrect bite pattern. This avoidance not only impacts their nutrition but also affects their quality of life.


Speech difficulties might also arise from dental misalignments. Certain sounds require specific tongue placements against the palate and behind the front teeth; thus, abnormalities like gaps or protrusions can hinder this process. If a child struggles with articulation despite otherwise normal speech development milestones, it might warrant an evaluation by both speech therapists and orthodontists.


Lastly, persistent mouth breathing rather than nasal breathing might suggest orthodontic concerns linked with narrow jaws or obstructive airway issues due to dental structures impeding proper airflow.


Identifying these early indicators allows parents and healthcare providers to seek timely assessments from orthodontists who specialize in diagnosing such conditions during childhood stages when interventions tend to be more effective and less invasive compared to waiting until adulthood. Early detection followed by appropriate treatment plans ensures not just aesthetically pleasing smiles but also contributes substantially towards holistic oral health benefits that last through adulthood.


By paying attention to these signs - whether they manifest as visible tooth irregularities or subtle behavioral cues - parents play a pivotal role in paving their child's path towards healthy dental development free from complications that could otherwise persist into later stages of life.

Difficulty in biting or chewing can often be overlooked as a minor inconvenience, but it may actually serve as a significant indicator of underlying orthodontic issues. Our oral health is intricately connected to our overall well-being, and the ability to bite and chew effectively is fundamental not only for nutrition but also for comfort and confidence in everyday life. Recognizing difficulty in these areas as a potential sign of orthodontic problems can prompt timely intervention, potentially averting more complex dental issues down the line.


When an individual experiences difficulty in biting or chewing, it could be symptomatic of several orthodontic concerns such as malocclusion, overcrowding, or misalignment of teeth. Malocclusion refers to the misalignment between the upper and lower sets of teeth when they come together. This condition can manifest as an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite. Each form has its own implications on how effectively one can bite into food and chew it thoroughly. For instance, an overbite might cause difficulties with biting through foods like sandwiches or fruits that require the front teeth to work efficiently.


Apart from visible alignment issues, there are other subtle signs that might indicate a need for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Overcrowded teeth make it challenging to maintain proper oral hygiene due to limited space between them. This not only affects chewing efficiency but also increases susceptibility to cavities and gum disease due to trapped food particles. Additionally, improperly aligned jaws can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which are often accompanied by pain during chewing and even chronic headaches.


The impact of these orthodontic problems extends beyond physical discomfort; they can affect one's self-esteem and social interactions. Eating out with friends or family becomes less enjoyable if one constantly worries about struggling with certain foods or feeling embarrassed about their smile. Moreover, children who face such difficulties might experience bullying or teasing at school, further impacting their emotional development.


Addressing difficulty in biting or chewing via comprehensive orthodontic treatment offers numerous benefits that go beyond aesthetic improvements. Orthodontists utilize various tools such as braces or aligners to correct tooth positioning and jaw alignment over time. These interventions help create an optimal occlusion where teeth fit together perfectly when closed-facilitating efficient eating mechanics while also enhancing speech clarity.


Furthermore, early identification and treatment planning ensure that individuals avoid more extensive procedures later in life-a proactive approach that saves both time and money while preserving natural tooth structure whenever possible.


In conclusion, recognizing difficulty in biting or chewing as a possible sign of orthodontic issues opens up pathways toward improved oral health outcomes through targeted treatments designed specifically for each individual's needs. Prioritizing such indicators enables people-not just those affected-to embrace healthier lifestyles where enjoying meals becomes second nature rather than a daunting task fraught with discomforts associated with untreated dental anomalies.

Benefits of Early Intervention in Orthodontics

Crowded or overlapping teeth are common dental issues that can significantly impact both oral health and self-esteem. Recognizing the symptoms early on is crucial for determining whether comprehensive orthodontic treatment is necessary. While these conditions might seem merely cosmetic, they often indicate underlying problems that require professional attention.


One of the most obvious signs of crowded teeth is difficulty in maintaining oral hygiene. When teeth overlap, it creates tight spaces that are hard to reach with a toothbrush or dental floss. This can lead to a buildup of plaque and food particles, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. If you notice persistent bad breath or bleeding gums despite regular brushing and flossing, it may be time to consult an orthodontist.


Another symptom of crowded teeth is discomfort or pain in the jaw. Misaligned teeth can put undue pressure on the jawbone and surrounding muscles, leading to frequent headaches or even temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). If you experience clicking sounds when opening your mouth or have difficulty chewing, these could be indicators that your bite is misaligned due to overcrowded teeth.


Speech difficulties are also a potential sign of overlapping teeth. Proper pronunciation requires precise tongue placement against the teeth. When teeth are out of alignment, it can affect speech clarity, causing lisps or other articulation issues. Children with crowded teeth might struggle more noticeably with speech development, but adults can also find themselves mumbling or mispronouncing certain words.


Additionally, individuals with crowded teeth often exhibit wear patterns on their enamel due to abnormal biting surfaces coming into contact more frequently than they should. This uneven wear not only affects the aesthetics of one's smile but can also compromise tooth structure over time.


Recognizing these symptoms early allows for timely intervention through comprehensive orthodontic treatment such as braces or clear aligners like Invisalign. These treatments work by gradually shifting the position of each tooth into its optimal place, alleviating crowding and correcting bite issues.


In conclusion, while crowded or overlapping teeth might initially appear as minor cosmetic concerns, they often signal deeper dental health issues that necessitate comprehensive orthodontic care. By paying attention to symptoms such as difficulty in maintaining oral hygiene, jaw discomfort, speech issues, and unusual wear patterns on your enamel, you can ensure timely intervention and improve both your oral health and overall quality of life.

Benefits of Early Intervention in Orthodontics

Overview of Comprehensive Orthodontic Strategies

Jaw discrepancies, often referred to as malocclusions, play a significant role in the realm of oral health. These misalignments between the upper and lower jaws can manifest in various forms, such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. Each form carries its own set of challenges and potential impacts on an individual's overall dental health.


One primary consequence of jaw discrepancies is their effect on the alignment of teeth. Misaligned jaws can lead to crowded or spaced teeth, making it difficult for individuals to maintain proper oral hygiene. This difficulty arises because irregularly positioned teeth are harder to clean effectively with regular brushing and flossing techniques. As a result, individuals with jaw discrepancies may be at a higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease due to plaque accumulation in hard-to-reach areas.


Beyond dental hygiene concerns, jaw discrepancies can also affect speech and chewing efficiency. An improper bite may hinder the smooth movement of the jaws during speaking or eating, leading to speech impediments or discomfort while chewing food. Over time, these functional issues can impact one's quality of life by causing embarrassment or frustration in social settings and potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies if certain foods are avoided due to difficulty in chewing.


Moreover, chronic jaw misalignment can contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. The TMJ connects the jawbone to the skull and is responsible for facilitating movements like talking and chewing. When there is a discrepancy in how the jaws meet, it places undue stress on this joint. Individuals may experience symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, earaches, and even neck or shoulder pain as a result of TMJ disorders caused by malocclusion.


Recognizing signs that suggest comprehensive orthodontic treatment is crucial for addressing these issues early on. One telling sign is noticeable difficulty in biting or chewing food evenly across both sides of the mouth. If an individual consistently favors one side while eating or experiences discomfort when biting down fully-such as feeling pressure only on certain teeth-it may indicate an underlying issue with jaw alignment.


Another sign warranting attention is frequent clenching or grinding of teeth (bruxism), particularly during sleep hours when one might not be conscious enough to realize they're doing so involuntarily due to stress placed upon their bite pattern from misaligned jaws.


Additionally-and perhaps more visibly-the presence of asymmetry when looking at facial features could signal underlying issues with jaw alignment requiring professional evaluation by an orthodontist who specializes in corrective treatments tailored specifically towards addressing skeletal imbalances within facial structures themselves rather than just focusing solely upon straightening out crooked smiles alone through braces alone which might not always address root causes effectively without additional interventions being considered alongside them such as surgical options if necessary depending upon severity level involved here too!


In conclusion then: Identifying signs that suggest comprehensive orthodontic treatment remains vital given how much influence correct positioning has over oral health outcomes overall-both functionally speaking regarding ease-of-use day-to-day activities like eating/speaking properly without experiencing pain/discomfort unnecessarily along way plus aesthetically too where achieving balance symmetry-wise helps ensure confidence levels remain high regardless situation faced ahead!

Role of Technology in Modern Pediatric Orthodontics

Speech difficulties can often serve as a telling sign of underlying orthodontic needs, though they are frequently overlooked in the assessment process. Comprehensive orthodontic treatment is traditionally associated with addressing visible dental misalignments, such as crooked teeth or noticeable overbites. However, the role that speech difficulties play in identifying these needs is increasingly being recognized as an important diagnostic tool.


The articulation of clear and distinct speech depends significantly on the proper alignment and positioning of teeth. When there are malocclusions, such as crowding or spacing issues, it can lead to speech impediments like lisping or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. For instance, individuals with an excessive overbite might find it challenging to pronounce "s" and "z" sounds properly because the tongue does not make the necessary contact with the roof of the mouth. Similarly, those with an open bite may struggle with creating adequate pressure to articulate other consonants correctly.


Parents and educators are often among the first to notice when a child struggles with speech clarity. While initial interventions might focus on speech therapy alone, recognizing that orthodontic issues could be contributing factors is crucial for holistic treatment. Orthodontists working alongside speech therapists can provide a more comprehensive approach, ensuring that both dental alignment and speech patterns improve concurrently.


Furthermore, untreated orthodontic issues leading to persistent speech difficulties can have broader implications beyond communication challenges. Children may experience frustration leading to social withdrawal or reduced confidence due to their inability to converse clearly with peers. In adults, unresolved speech problems related to dental misalignment may impact professional interactions and overall self-esteem.


Considering this interconnectedness highlights why comprehensive orthodontic evaluations should include assessments of any existing or potential speech difficulties. By doing so, practitioners ensure not only aesthetic improvements but also functional enhancements that contribute positively to a patient's quality of life.


In conclusion, while traditional indicators such as visible misalignments remain critical in determining orthodontic needs, incorporating an evaluation of speech difficulties provides a more complete picture of a patient's oral health status. Recognizing and addressing these signs early on allows for timely interventions that benefit both communication abilities and overall oral function - underscoring the importance of integrated approaches in modern orthodontics.

Tips for Parents: Ensuring Successful Orthodontic Outcomes for Children

Regular dental check-ups are a cornerstone of maintaining oral health, and their importance extends far beyond just keeping our teeth clean. One of the critical benefits of these routine visits is the early detection of issues that may necessitate comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Often, signs that suggest the need for such treatment can be subtle and easily overlooked by those without professional expertise. This makes regular visits to the dentist an invaluable tool in identifying potential orthodontic concerns before they escalate into more serious problems.


One primary sign that might indicate the necessity for orthodontic intervention is misalignment. Misaligned teeth, whether crowded or spaced too widely, can lead to difficulties in maintaining oral hygiene, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. During a dental check-up, a dentist can identify these alignment issues early on and recommend consulting with an orthodontist if necessary. Early detection allows for less invasive treatments and often leads to better outcomes.


Another significant indicator is bite irregularities. Issues such as overbite, underbite, or crossbite not only affect one's appearance but also have practical implications for chewing and speaking. Regular dental exams help catch these bite issues early, enabling timely correction through braces or other orthodontic appliances before they impact jaw development or cause discomfort.


Moreover, dentists look out for signs like abnormal tooth wear and difficulty in chewing during their examinations. Uneven wear on teeth might signal underlying bite problems or alignment issues that could benefit from orthodontic treatment. Similarly, if a patient experiences pain or discomfort while chewing, it might be due to improper alignment which can be effectively addressed through comprehensive orthodontic care.


Additionally, frequent headaches or jaw pain might also suggest underlying orthodontic problems such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Dentists are trained to recognize these symptoms during routine check-ups and can provide guidance on whether an evaluation by an orthodontist is warranted.


In children and adolescents especially, regular dental visits are crucial as they provide opportunities to monitor the development of permanent teeth and jaw growth closely. Early identification of potential problems allows for timely interventions that guide proper alignment as the child grows, potentially reducing the need for more extensive treatment later in life.


In summary, regular dental check-ups play a vital role in identifying signs that suggest comprehensive orthodontic treatment may be necessary. From detecting misalignment issues to recognizing bite irregularities and other subtle indicators like tooth wear or jaw pain, dentists serve as an essential first line of defense against more serious oral health problems down the road. By catching these signs early through routine examinations, individuals have the opportunity to address them proactively with appropriate orthodontic solutions tailored to their specific needs. Thus, committing to regular dental check-ups not only supports overall oral health but also ensures any potential need for orthodontic treatment is identified promptly and managed effectively.

 

International children in traditional clothing at Liberty Weekend

A child (pl.children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty,[1][2] or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty.[3] The term may also refer to an unborn human being.[4][5] In English-speaking countries, the legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, in this case as a person younger than the local age of majority (there are exceptions like, for example, the consume and purchase of alcoholic beverage even after said age of majority[6]), regardless of their physical, mental and sexual development as biological adults.[1][7][8] Children generally have fewer rights and responsibilities than adults. They are generally classed as unable to make serious decisions.

Child may also describe a relationship with a parent (such as sons and daughters of any age)[9] or, metaphorically, an authority figure, or signify group membership in a clan, tribe, or religion; it can also signify being strongly affected by a specific time, place, or circumstance, as in "a child of nature" or "a child of the Sixties."[10]

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Children playing ball games, Roman artwork, 2nd century AD

In the biological sciences, a child is usually defined as a person between birth and puberty,[1][2] or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty.[3] Legally, the term child may refer to anyone below the age of majority or some other age limit.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines child as, "A human being below the age of 18 years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier."[11] This is ratified by 192 of 194 member countries. The term child may also refer to someone below another legally defined age limit unconnected to the age of majority. In Singapore, for example, a child is legally defined as someone under the age of 14 under the "Children and Young Persons Act" whereas the age of majority is 21.[12][13] In U.S. Immigration Law, a child refers to anyone who is under the age of 21.[14]

Some English definitions of the word child include the fetus (sometimes termed the unborn).[15] In many cultures, a child is considered an adult after undergoing a rite of passage, which may or may not correspond to the time of puberty.

Children generally have fewer rights than adults and are classed as unable to make serious decisions, and legally must always be under the care of a responsible adult or child custody, whether their parents divorce or not.

Developmental stages of childhood

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Early childhood

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Children playing the violin in a group recital, Ithaca, New York, 2011
Children in Madagascar, 2011
Child playing piano, 1984

Early childhood follows the infancy stage and begins with toddlerhood when the child begins speaking or taking steps independently.[16][17] While toddlerhood ends around age 3 when the child becomes less dependent on parental assistance for basic needs, early childhood continues approximately until the age of 5 or 6. However, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, early childhood also includes infancy. At this stage children are learning through observing, experimenting and communicating with others. Adults supervise and support the development process of the child, which then will lead to the child's autonomy. Also during this stage, a strong emotional bond is created between the child and the care providers. The children also start preschool and kindergarten at this age: and hence their social lives.

Middle childhood

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Middle childhood begins at around age 7, and ends at around age 9 or 10.[18] Together, early and middle childhood are called formative years. In this middle period, children develop socially and mentally. They are at a stage where they make new friends and gain new skills, which will enable them to become more independent and enhance their individuality. During middle childhood, children enter the school years, where they are presented with a different setting than they are used to. This new setting creates new challenges and faces for children.[19] Upon the entrance of school, mental disorders that would normally not be noticed come to light. Many of these disorders include: autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD.[20]: 303–309  Special education, least restrictive environment, response to intervention and individualized education plans are all specialized plans to help children with disabilities.[20]: 310–311 

Middle childhood is the time when children begin to understand responsibility and are beginning to be shaped by their peers and parents. Chores and more responsible decisions come at this time, as do social comparison and social play.[20]: 338  During social play, children learn from and teach each other, often through observation.[21]

Late childhood

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Preadolescence is a stage of human development following early childhood and preceding adolescence. Preadolescence is commonly defined as ages 9–12, ending with the major onset of puberty, with markers such as menarche, spermarche, and the peak of height velocity occurring. These changes usually occur between ages 11 and 14. It may also be defined as the 2-year period before the major onset of puberty.[22] Preadolescence can bring its own challenges and anxieties. Preadolescent children have a different view of the world from younger children in many significant ways. Typically, theirs is a more realistic view of life than the intense, fantasy-oriented world of earliest childhood. Preadolescents have more mature, sensible, realistic thoughts and actions: 'the most "sensible" stage of development...the child is a much less emotional being now.'[23] Preadolescents may well view human relationships differently (e.g. they may notice the flawed, human side of authority figures). Alongside that, they may begin to develop a sense of self-identity, and to have increased feelings of independence: 'may feel an individual, no longer "just one of the family."'[24]

Developmental stages post-childhood

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Adolescence

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An adolescent girl, photographed by Paolo Monti

Adolescence is usually determined to be between the onset of puberty and legal adulthood: mostly corresponding to the teenage years (13–19). However, puberty usually begins before the teenage years (10—11 for girls and 11—12 for boys). Although biologically a child is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty,[1][2] adolescents are legally considered children, as they tend to lack adult rights and are still required to attend compulsory schooling in many cultures, though this varies. The onset of adolescence brings about various physical, psychological and behavioral changes. The end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood varies by country and by function, and even within a single nation-state or culture there may be different ages at which an individual is considered to be mature enough to be entrusted by society with certain tasks.

History

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Playing Children, by Song dynasty Chinese artist Su Hanchen, c. 1150 AD.

During the European Renaissance, artistic depictions of children increased dramatically, which did not have much effect on the social attitude toward children, however.[25]

The French historian Philippe Ariès argued that during the 1600s, the concept of childhood began to emerge in Europe,[26] however other historians like Nicholas Orme have challenged this view and argued that childhood has been seen as a separate stage since at least the medieval period.[27] Adults saw children as separate beings, innocent and in need of protection and training by the adults around them. The English philosopher John Locke was particularly influential in defining this new attitude towards children, especially with regard to his theory of the tabula rasa, which considered the mind at birth to be a "blank slate". A corollary of this doctrine was that the mind of the child was born blank, and that it was the duty of the parents to imbue the child with correct notions. During the early period of capitalism, the rise of a large, commercial middle class, mainly in the Protestant countries of the Dutch Republic and England, brought about a new family ideology centred around the upbringing of children. Puritanism stressed the importance of individual salvation and concern for the spiritual welfare of children.[28]

The Age of Innocence c. 1785/8. Reynolds emphasized the natural grace of children in his paintings.

The modern notion of childhood with its own autonomy and goals began to emerge during the 18th-century Enlightenment and the Romantic period that followed it.[29][30] Jean Jacques Rousseau formulated the romantic attitude towards children in his famous 1762 novel Emile: or, On Education. Building on the ideas of John Locke and other 17th-century thinkers, Jean-Jaques Rousseau described childhood as a brief period of sanctuary before people encounter the perils and hardships of adulthood.[29] Sir Joshua Reynolds' extensive children portraiture demonstrated the new enlightened attitudes toward young children. His 1788 painting The Age of Innocence emphasizes the innocence and natural grace of the posing child and soon became a public favourite.[31]

Brazilian princesses Leopoldina (left) and Isabel (center) with an unidentified friend, c. 1860.

The idea of childhood as a locus of divinity, purity, and innocence is further expounded upon in William Wordsworth's "Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood", the imagery of which he "fashioned from a complex mix of pastoral aesthetics, pantheistic views of divinity, and an idea of spiritual purity based on an Edenic notion of pastoral innocence infused with Neoplatonic notions of reincarnation".[30] This Romantic conception of childhood, historian Margaret Reeves suggests, has a longer history than generally recognized, with its roots traceable to similarly imaginative constructions of childhood circulating, for example, in the neo-platonic poetry of seventeenth-century metaphysical poet Henry Vaughan (e.g., "The Retreate", 1650; "Childe-hood", 1655). Such views contrasted with the stridently didactic, Calvinist views of infant depravity.[32]

Armenian scouts in 1918

With the onset of industrialisation in England in 1760, the divergence between high-minded romantic ideals of childhood and the reality of the growing magnitude of child exploitation in the workplace, became increasingly apparent. By the late 18th century, British children were specially employed in factories and mines and as chimney sweeps,[33] often working long hours in dangerous jobs for low pay.[34] As the century wore on, the contradiction between the conditions on the ground for poor children and the middle-class notion of childhood as a time of simplicity and innocence led to the first campaigns for the imposition of legal protection for children.

British reformers attacked child labor from the 1830s onward, bolstered by the horrific descriptions of London street life by Charles Dickens.[35] The campaign eventually led to the Factory Acts, which mitigated the exploitation of children at the workplace[33][36]

Modern concepts of childhood

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Children play in a fountain in a summer evening, Davis, California.
An old man and his granddaughter in Turkey.
Nepalese children playing with cats.
Harari girls in Ethiopia.

The modern attitude to children emerged by the late 19th century; the Victorian middle and upper classes emphasized the role of the family and the sanctity of the child – an attitude that has remained dominant in Western societies ever since.[37] The genre of children's literature took off, with a proliferation of humorous, child-oriented books attuned to the child's imagination. Lewis Carroll's fantasy Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, published in 1865 in England, was a landmark in the genre; regarded as the first "English masterpiece written for children", its publication opened the "First Golden Age" of children's literature.

The latter half of the 19th century saw the introduction of compulsory state schooling of children across Europe, which decisively removed children from the workplace into schools.[38][39]

The market economy of the 19th century enabled the concept of childhood as a time of fun, happiness, and imagination. Factory-made dolls and doll houses delighted the girls and organized sports and activities were played by the boys.[40] The Boy Scouts was founded by Sir Robert Baden-Powell in 1908,[41][42] which provided young boys with outdoor activities aiming at developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness qualities.[43]

In the 20th century, Philippe Ariès, a French historian specializing in medieval history, suggested that childhood was not a natural phenomenon, but a creation of society in his 1960 book Centuries of Childhood. In 1961 he published a study of paintings, gravestones, furniture, and school records, finding that before the 17th century, children were represented as mini-adults.

In 1966, the American philosopher George Boas published the book The Cult of Childhood. Since then, historians have increasingly researched childhood in past times.[44]

In 2006, Hugh Cunningham published the book Invention of Childhood, looking at British childhood from the year 1000, the Middle Ages, to what he refers to as the Post War Period of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.[45]

Childhood evolves and changes as lifestyles change and adult expectations alter. In the modern era, many adults believe that children should not have any worries or work, as life should be happy and trouble-free. Childhood is seen as a mixture of simplicity, innocence, happiness, fun, imagination, and wonder. It is thought of as a time of playing, learning, socializing, exploring, and worrying in a world without much adult interference.[29][30]

A "loss of innocence" is a common concept, and is often seen as an integral part of coming of age. It is usually thought of as an experience or period in a child's life that widens their awareness of evil, pain or the world around them. This theme is demonstrated in the novels To Kill a Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies. The fictional character Peter Pan was the embodiment of a childhood that never ends.[46][47]

Healthy childhoods

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Role of parents

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Children's health

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Children's health includes the physical, mental and social well-being of children. Maintaining children's health implies offering them healthy foods, insuring they get enough sleep and exercise, and protecting their safety.[48] Children in certain parts of the world often suffer from malnutrition, which is often associated with other conditions, such diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria.[49]

Child protection

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Child protection, according to UNICEF, refers to "preventing and responding to violence, exploitation and abuse against children – including commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, child labour and harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation/cutting and child marriage".[50] The Convention on the Rights of the Child protects the fundamental rights of children.

Play

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Dancing at Mother of Peace AIDs orphanage, Zimbabwe

Play is essential to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children.[51] It offers children opportunities for physical (running, jumping, climbing, etc.), intellectual (social skills, community norms, ethics and general knowledge) and emotional development (empathy, compassion, and friendships). Unstructured play encourages creativity and imagination. Playing and interacting with other children, as well as some adults, provides opportunities for friendships, social interactions, conflicts and resolutions. However, adults tend to (often mistakenly) assume that virtually all children's social activities can be understood as "play" and, furthermore, that children's play activities do not involve much skill or effort.[52][53][54][55]

It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them. Play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fears while practicing adult roles, sometimes in conjunction with other children or adult caregivers.[51] Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills. However, when play is controlled by adults, children acquiesce to adult rules and concerns and lose some of the benefits play offers them. This is especially true in developing creativity, leadership, and group skills.[51]

Ralph Hedley, The Tournament, 1898. It depicts poorer boys playing outdoors in a rural part of the Northeast of England.

Play is considered to be very important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights as a right of every child.[11] Children who are being raised in a hurried and pressured style may limit the protective benefits they would gain from child-driven play.[51]

The initiation of play in a classroom setting allows teachers and students to interact through playfulness associated with a learning experience. Therefore, playfulness aids the interactions between adults and children in a learning environment. “Playful Structure” means to combine informal learning with formal learning to produce an effective learning experience for children at a young age.[56]

Even though play is considered to be the most important to optimal child development, the environment affects their play and therefore their development. Poor children confront widespread environmental inequities as they experience less social support, and their parents are less responsive and more authoritarian. Children from low income families are less likely to have access to books and computers which would enhance their development.[57]

Street culture

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Children in front of a movie theatre, Toronto, 1920s.

Children's street culture refers to the cumulative culture created by young children and is sometimes referred to as their secret world. It is most common in children between the ages of seven and twelve. It is strongest in urban working class industrial districts where children are traditionally free to play out in the streets for long periods without supervision. It is invented and largely sustained by children themselves with little adult interference.

Young children's street culture usually takes place on quiet backstreets and pavements, and along routes that venture out into local parks, playgrounds, scrub and wasteland, and to local shops. It often imposes imaginative status on certain sections of the urban realm (local buildings, kerbs, street objects, etc.). Children designate specific areas that serve as informal meeting and relaxation places (see: Sobel, 2001). An urban area that looks faceless or neglected to an adult may have deep 'spirit of place' meanings in to children. Since the advent of indoor distractions such as video games, and television, concerns have been expressed about the vitality – or even the survival – of children's street culture.

Geographies of childhood

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The geographies of childhood involves how (adult) society perceives the idea of childhood, the many ways adult attitudes and behaviors affect children's lives, including the environment which surrounds children and its implications.[58]

The geographies of childhood is similar in some respects to children's geographies which examines the places and spaces in which children live.[59]

Nature deficit disorder

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Nature Deficit Disorder, a term coined by Richard Louv in his 2005 book Last Child in the Woods, refers to the trend in the United States and Canada towards less time for outdoor play,[60][61] resulting in a wide range of behavioral problems.[62]

With increasing use of cellphones, computers, video games and television, children have more reasons to stay inside rather than outdoors exploring. “The average American child spends 44 hours a week with electronic media”.[63] Research in 2007 has drawn a correlation between the declining number of National Park visits in the U.S. and increasing consumption of electronic media by children.[64] The media has accelerated the trend for children's nature disconnection by deemphasizing views of nature, as in Disney films.[65]

Age of responsibility

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The age at which children are considered responsible for their society-bound actions (e. g. marriage, voting, etc.) has also changed over time,[66] and this is reflected in the way they are treated in courts of law. In Roman times, children were regarded as not culpable for crimes, a position later adopted by the Church. In the 19th century, children younger than seven years old were believed incapable of crime. Children from the age of seven forward were considered responsible for their actions. Therefore, they could face criminal charges, be sent to adult prison, and be punished like adults by whipping, branding or hanging. However, courts at the time would consider the offender's age when deliberating sentencing.[citation needed] Minimum employment age and marriage age also vary. The age limit of voluntary/involuntary military service is also disputed at the international level.[67]

Education

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Children in an outdoor classroom in Bié, Angola
Children seated in a Finnish classroom at the school of Torvinen in Sodankylä, Finland, in the 1920s

Education, in the general sense, refers to the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and preparing intellectually for mature life.[68] Formal education most often takes place through schooling. A right to education has been recognized by some governments. At the global level, Article 13 of the United Nations' 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) recognizes the right of everyone to an education.[69] Education is compulsory in most places up to a certain age, but attendance at school may not be, with alternative options such as home-schooling or e-learning being recognized as valid forms of education in certain jurisdictions.

Children in some countries (especially in parts of Africa and Asia) are often kept out of school, or attend only for short periods. Data from UNICEF indicate that in 2011, 57 million children were out of school; and more than 20% of African children have never attended primary school or have left without completing primary education.[70] According to a UN report, warfare is preventing 28 million children worldwide from receiving an education, due to the risk of sexual violence and attacks in schools.[71] Other factors that keep children out of school include poverty, child labor, social attitudes, and long distances to school.[72][73]

Attitudes toward children

[edit]
Group of breaker boys in Pittston, Pennsylvania, 1911. Child labor was widespread until the early 20th century. In the 21st century, child labor rates are highest in Africa.

Social attitudes toward children differ around the world in various cultures and change over time. A 1988 study on European attitudes toward the centrality of children found that Italy was more child-centric and the Netherlands less child-centric, with other countries, such as Austria, Great Britain, Ireland and West Germany falling in between.[74]

Child marriage

[edit]

In 2013, child marriage rates of female children under the age of 18 reached 75% in Niger, 68% in Central African Republic and Chad, 66% in Bangladesh, and 47% in India.[75] According to a 2019 UNICEF report on child marriage, 37% of females were married before the age of 18 in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by South Asia at 30%. Lower levels were found in Latin America and Caribbean (25%), the Middle East and North Africa (18%), and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (11%), while rates in Western Europe and North America were minimal.[76] Child marriage is more prevalent with girls, but also involves boys. A 2018 study in the journal Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies found that, worldwide, 4.5% of males are married before age 18, with the Central African Republic having the highest average rate at 27.9%.[77]

Fertility and number of children per woman

[edit]

Before contraception became widely available in the 20th century, women had little choice other than abstinence or having often many children. In fact, current population growth concerns have only become possible with drastically reduced child mortality and sustained fertility. In 2017 the global total fertility rate was estimated to be 2.37 children per woman,[78] adding about 80 million people to the world population per year. In order to measure the total number of children, scientists often prefer the completed cohort fertility at age 50 years (CCF50).[78] Although the number of children is also influenced by cultural norms, religion, peer pressure and other social factors, the CCF50 appears to be most heavily dependent on the educational level of women, ranging from 5–8 children in women without education to less than 2 in women with 12 or more years of education.[78]

Issues

[edit]

Emergencies and conflicts

[edit]

Emergencies and conflicts pose detrimental risks to the health, safety, and well-being of children. There are many different kinds of conflicts and emergencies, e.g. wars and natural disasters. As of 2010 approximately 13 million children are displaced by armed conflicts and violence around the world.[79] Where violent conflicts are the norm, the lives of young children are significantly disrupted and their families have great difficulty in offering the sensitive and consistent care that young children need for their healthy development.[79] Studies on the effect of emergencies and conflict on the physical and mental health of children between birth and 8 years old show that where the disaster is natural, the rate of PTSD occurs in anywhere from 3 to 87 percent of affected children.[80] However, rates of PTSD for children living in chronic conflict conditions varies from 15 to 50 percent.[81][82]

Child protection

[edit]
 

Child protection (also called child welfare) is the safeguarding of children from violence, exploitation, abuse, abandonment, and neglect.[83][84][85][86] It involves identifying signs of potential harm. This includes responding to allegations or suspicions of abuse, providing support and services to protect children, and holding those who have harmed them accountable.[87]

The primary goal of child protection is to ensure that all children are safe and free from harm or danger.[86][88] Child protection also works to prevent future harm by creating policies and systems that identify and respond to risks before they lead to harm.[89]

In order to achieve these goals, research suggests that child protection services should be provided in a holistic way.[90][91][92] This means taking into account the social, economic, cultural, psychological, and environmental factors that can contribute to the risk of harm for individual children and their families. Collaboration across sectors and disciplines to create a comprehensive system of support and safety for children is required.[93][94]

It is the responsibility of individuals, organizations, and governments to ensure that children are protected from harm and their rights are respected.[95] This includes providing a safe environment for children to grow and develop, protecting them from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and ensuring they have access to education, healthcare, and resources to fulfill their basic needs.[96]

Child protection systems are a set of services, usually government-run, designed to protect children and young people who are underage and to encourage family stability. UNICEF defines[97] a 'child protection system' as:

"The set of laws, policies, regulations and services needed across all social sectors – especially social welfare, education, health, security and justice – to support prevention and response to protection-related risks. These systems are part of social protection, and extend beyond it. At the level of prevention, their aim includes supporting and strengthening families to reduce social exclusion, and to lower the risk of separation, violence and exploitation. Responsibilities are often spread across government agencies, with services delivered by local authorities, non-State providers, and community groups, making coordination between sectors and levels, including routine referral systems etc.., a necessary component of effective child protection systems."

— United Nations Economic and Social Council (2008), UNICEF Child Protection Strategy, E/ICEF/2008/5/Rev.1, par. 12–13.

Under Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, a 'child protection system' provides for the protection of children in and out of the home. One of the ways this can be enabled is through the provision of quality education, the fourth of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in addition to other child protection systems. Some literature argues that child protection begins at conception; even how the conception took place can affect the child's development.[98]

Child abuse and child labor

[edit]

Protection of children from abuse is considered an important contemporary goal. This includes protecting children from exploitation such as child labor, child trafficking and child selling, child sexual abuse, including child prostitution and child pornography, military use of children, and child laundering in illegal adoptions. There exist several international instruments for these purposes, such as:

  • Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
  • Minimum Age Convention, 1973
  • Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography
  • Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse
  • Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict
  • Hague Adoption Convention

Climate change

[edit]
 
A child at a climate demonstration in Juneau, Alaska

Children are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than adults. The World Health Organization estimated that 88% of the existing global burden of disease caused by climate change affects children under five years of age.[99] A Lancet review on health and climate change lists children as the worst-affected category by climate change.[100] Children under 14 are 44 percent more likely to die from environmental factors,[101] and those in urban areas are disproportionately impacted by lower air quality and overcrowding.[102]

Children are physically more vulnerable to climate change in all its forms.[103] Climate change affects the physical health of children and their well-being. Prevailing inequalities, between and within countries, determine how climate change impacts children.[104] Children often have no voice in terms of global responses to climate change.[103]

People living in low-income countries experience a higher burden of disease and are less capable of coping with climate change-related threats.[105] Nearly every child in the world is at risk from climate change and pollution, while almost half are at extreme risk.[106]

Health

[edit]

Child mortality

[edit]
World infant mortality rates in 2012.[107]

During the early 17th century in England, about two-thirds of all children died before the age of four.[108] During the Industrial Revolution, the life expectancy of children increased dramatically.[109] This has continued in England, and in the 21st century child mortality rates have fallen across the world. About 12.6 million under-five infants died worldwide in 1990, which declined to 6.6 million in 2012. The infant mortality rate dropped from 90 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990, to 48 in 2012. The highest average infant mortality rates are in sub-Saharan Africa, at 98 deaths per 1,000 live births – over double the world's average.[107]

See also

[edit]
Listen to this article (3 minutes)
 
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This audio file was created from a revision of this article dated 24 June 2008 (2008-06-24), and does not reflect subsequent edits.
  • Outline of childhood
  • Child slavery
  • Childlessness
  • Depression in childhood and adolescence
  • One-child policy
  • Religion and children
  • Youth rights
  • Archaeology of childhood

Sources

[edit]
  •  This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from Investing against Evidence: The Global State of Early Childhood Care and Education​, 118–125, Marope PT, Kaga Y, UNESCO. UNESCO.
  •  This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from Creating sustainable futures for all; Global education monitoring report, 2016; Gender review​, 20, UNESCO, UNESCO. UNESCO.

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Further reading

[edit]
  • Cook, Daniel Thomas. The moral project of childhood: Motherhood, material life, and early children's consumer culture (NYU Press, 2020). online book see also online review
  • Fawcett, Barbara, Brid Featherstone, and Jim Goddard. Contemporary child care policy and practice (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2017) online
  • Hutchison, Elizabeth D., and Leanne W. Charlesworth. "Securing the welfare of children: Policies past, present, and future." Families in Society 81.6 (2000): 576–585.
  • Fass, Paula S. The end of American childhood: A history of parenting from life on the frontier to the managed child (Princeton University Press, 2016).
  • Fass, Paula S. ed. The Routledge History of Childhood in the Western World (2012) online
  • Klass, Perri. The Best Medicine: How Science and Public Health Gave Children a Future (WW Norton & Company, 2020) online
  • Michail, Samia. "Understanding school responses to students’ challenging behaviour: A review of literature." Improving schools 14.2 (2011): 156–171. online
  • Sorin, Reesa. Changing images of childhood: Reconceptualising early childhood practice (Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne, 2005) online.
  • Sorin, Reesa. "Childhood through the eyes of the child and parent." Journal of Australian Research in Early Childhood Education 14.1 (2007). online
  • Vissing, Yvonne. "History of Children’s Human Rights in the USA." in Children's Human Rights in the USA: Challenges and Opportunities (Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2023) pp. 181–212.
  • Yuen, Francis K.O. Social work practice with children and families: a family health approach (Routledge, 2014) online.
Preceded by
Toddlerhood
Stages of human development
Childhood
Succeeded by
Preadolescence

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Common signs include crooked or crowded teeth, difficulty biting or chewing, mouth breathing, thumb sucking beyond age 5, and noticeable misalignment of the jaws.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7 to identify any potential issues early on.
Signs of a misaligned bite include an overbite (where the upper teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth), underbite (lower teeth protrude past the upper teeth), crossbite (upper and lower teeth don’t align properly when the mouth is closed), or open bite (space between the upper and lower front teeth when biting down).
Yes, non-visible symptoms can include jaw pain or clicking sounds when opening or closing the mouth, frequent cheek biting, speech difficulties related to tooth alignment, and persistent discomfort in the mouth.