Physical Development 1- to 3-year-olds Standard(s): 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 7.7

Toddlers to Preschoolers Physical development slows a little after first birthday Overall skills improve dramatically between first and fourth birthday Toddlers = one- and two-year-olds; usually “toddle” during this time Preschoolers = three- to five-year-olds; can run, jump, hop, skip, etc.

Influences on Growth and Development Heredity and genes act as general road map for development Other factors include nutrition, health, and life experiences

Growth from One to Three Height and Weight Height and weight gains generally slow by about half compared to first year of life Children start to show greater variation in size between one another

Graphing Growth Peter was 20 inches long at birth, and he weighed 10 pounds. At one year of age he was 32 inches tall and weighed 26 pounds. At two years, he was 36 inches tall and weighed 32 pounds. Now, at three years old, Peter is 40 inches tall and weighs 36 pounds. Graph Peter’s growth, using the horizontal x-axis for weight and the vertical y-axis for growth.

Height and Weight Comparison Use the above chart to answer the following question: Based on his size at three years old, will Peter grow to be an adult who is smaller or larger than average? Age Height Weight One Year 29 to 30.5 in 21 to 24.5 lbs. Two Years 33.5 to 35.25 in 26 to 30 lbs. Three Years 36.75 to 38.74 in 29.25 to 34 lbs.

Growth from One to Three Proportion The chest becomes larger around than the head and abdomen Arms, legs, and torso lengthen Teeth Start to emerge during first year of life Should start to go to dentist around 18 months Heredity and nutrition affect dental health

Tracking Development Some children learn skills earlier or later than average Variations can be caused by differences in a child’s physical size, health and diet, interests, temperament, or opportunities for physical play

Gross Motor Skills Also called LARGE motor skills Involve the use and control of the large muscles of the back, legs, shoulders, and arms As children exercise, they build confidence, strength, and coordination that helps them run, jump, and kick a ball

Fine Motor Skills Also called SMALL motor skills Involve the smaller muscles of the body, such as those in the fingers Require small precise movements, such as using scissors or writing

Fine Motor Skills, cont’d Young children begin to improve their dexterity, or skillful use of the hands and fingers Hand-eye coordination , the ability to move the hands and fingers precisely in relation to what is seen, is mastered by about 18 months old

Tracking Development Developmental milestones: keys skills, such as learning to walk, used to check a child’s progress against average development See Fig. 10-4 on page 298 At what age can a child stack two to four blocks? At what age can a child run but not stop smoothly? At what age can a child turn one page of a book at a time? At what can a child sit down without help?

Answers: At what age can a child stack two to four blocks? 18-24 MONTHS At what age can a child run but not stop smoothly? 2 ½ - 3 YEARS At what age can a child turn one page of a book at a time? 2- 2 ½ YEARS At what can a child sit down without help? 12-18 MONTHS

Developmentally Appropriate Activities Developmentally Appropriate: toys, activities, and tasks that are suitable for a child at a specific age Developmental milestones help caregivers plan developmentally appropriate activities

Planning Activities Using Fig. 10-4 on page 298, plan a developmentally appropriate activity Choose an age, activity, skill category, and skill developed Example Age : 2-2 ½ years Activity: Ride tricycle during outdoor play Skill Category: Gross/Large Skill Developed: Pushes self on wheeled toys