1. Physical Development from Four to Six
Chapter 13

2. Main Idea Children from 4-6 grow and develop in many areas:
Height & weight
Posture & body shape
Teeth
Motor Skills
Hand preference

3. Height & Weight Growth slightly slower than from 1-3.
Boys are usually slightly taller & heavier during this period. They average a height gain of 5 inches and an average of 10 lbs. in weight from ages 4-6.
Average boy at 6 is 45.5” tall and weighs 46 lbs. Girls average 45.25” tall and weigh 44.5 lbs.

4. Posture & Body Shape Between 4 & 7 posture changes noticeably
Bodies are straighter & slimmer
Protruding tummy flattens
Hold shoulders, back & upper body erect
Chest which was rounded, broadens and flattens
Legs lengthen rapidly and neck gets longer

5. Toddlers Running
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6. 4-6 Year Olds Running
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7. Teeth Permanent teeth begin to appear around age 6.
Six year molars are the first to appear
Two molars on top and two on the bottom
Molars are the anchors for the other teeth
Primary teeth are lost in the same order they come in.

8. Thumbsucking
4-6 year olds still may suck their thumbs to comfort themselves or handle stress.
Usually grow out of it. Try to ignore.
After their fifth birthday may cause changes in the roof of the mouth and the way teeth line up.

9. Gross (Large) Motor Skills
Many must be taught.
Very energetic and favorite things are usually physical.
Speed and coordination improves each year and with practice.
Provide lots of opportunities to improve.

10. Fine Motor Skills
Improved Dexterity (ease and skill in physical activity)
This improved dexterity allows them to do physical activities more easily.
Starting to use their hands & fingers skillfully.
Improved hand-eye-coordination helps them to do skills they already had better.

11. What can 4’s do? Fine Motor Skills Gross Motor Skills
Dress & undress self
Hop on one foot
Cut on a line with scissors
Throw a ball overhand
Copy a circle & a cross
Alternates feet walking up & down stairs
Lace shoes but not tie them
Walks backward easily

12. What can 5’s do? Fine Motor Gross Motor
Draws a person with head, body, arms, & legs
Can turn somersaults
Prints some letters
Skips with alternating feet
Buttons clothing
Balances on each foot for a short period.
Can copy a triangle & square
Uses spoon & fork to eat but still uses fingers for some food

13. What can 6’s do? Fine Motor Skills Gross Motor Skills
Cuts, pastes, & colors skillfully
Ride a two-wheeler with training wheels
Writes entire words
Jumps rope
Ties shoelaces
Throws & catches a ball with more ease and accuracy
(this also requires fine motor skills & hand-eye-coordination)

14. Hand Preference Some children show a preference after age 2
Others continue to switch off until about the second have of year 5.
85% prefer right hand
Few are ambidextrous (ability to use both hands with equal skill).

15. What to believe about hand preference.
Some believe heredity is the source
Others think it is what hand the parents place things in during the early years.
Some research links it to the areas of the brain controlling motor skills or language
Whatever the cause……..no reason to influence a child using one hand over the other.

16. On the left side………..answer the following:
What is the average gain in height for a boy from age four to age six?
What are the first teeth that children get that are not replacements for their baby teeth?
Why can it become a problem if a child continues to suck a thumb after his or her fifth birthday?

17. And the answers are……. Average 5 inch height gain from age 4-6
6 year molars or “first molars”
Can cause changes in the shape of the roof of the mouth or in the way teeth line up