Physical Development from Four to Six Chapter 13

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

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.

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

Toddlers Running http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXZGEu4fIAQ&fe ature=em-share_video_user

4-6 Year Olds Running http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6GmSemtb5 s&feature=em-share_video_user

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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)

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).

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.

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?

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