Chapter 8: Physical Growth in Preschool Children 8.1 Physical Growth 8.2 Motor Development 8.3 Health and Wellness 8.4 Child Neglect and Maltreatment

8.1 Physical Growth Body Growth Brain Development Sleep

Body Growth Growth slows and is more stable during preschool years Loss of fat and changing proportions Cartilage turns to bone Usually have all 20 primary teeth 8.1 Physical Growth

Average Growth During Preschool Years

Changing Body Proportions

Tooth Development

Brain Development Preschool years a time of rapid growth for brain Synaptic pruning continues Myelinization continues, particularly of the corpus callosum and sensory and motor regions of the brain Brain becomes more specialized 8.1 Physical Growth

Development of Brain

The Brain

Sleep Amount of sleep decreases, including giving up naps around 4 years Bedtime struggles occur nightly in % of children Some children have sleep disturbances: nightmares, night terrors, sleep walking, and bedwetting 8.1 Physical Growth

Hours of Sleep

8.2 Motor Development Gross-Motor Skills Fine-Motor Skills Handedness Gender Differences in Motor Skills

Gross-Motor Skills Big improvements in running and hopping Improved ability to catch and throw a ball Advanced motor skills lead to unstructured play 8.2 Motor Development

Development of Throwing and Catching

Fine-Motor Skills Improved dexterity leads to more precise and delicate movements Greater fine-motor skill means that children can feed and dress themselves Better grip of writing implements means improved drawings 8.2 Motor Development

Stages of Drawing

Handedness By 2 years, most children show a clear hand preference, 90% are right-handed Left-handed people are more likely to have migraines, allergies, and language- based problems Lefties are more likely to be artistically and spatially talented 8.2 Motor Development

Gender Differences in Motor Skills Boys tend to be more muscular and more active Boys better at running and throwing Girls tend to be better at balancing, hopping, skipping, and fine-motor activities 8.2 Motor Development

8.3 Health and Wellness Nutrition Threats to Children’s Development

Nutrition Preschoolers need to eat less per pound than infants and toddlers Some preschoolers become picky eaters Parents should encourage a well- balanced diet 8.3 Health and Wellness

Threats to Children’s Development Minor illnesses are common (7-8 colds per year) Chronic illness, except asthma, is not common in childhood Stress and poverty are more likely to lead to injury and illness Hospital stays can be made less traumatic 8.3 Health and Wellness

8.4 Child Neglect and Maltreatment Consequences of Maltreatment Causes of Maltreatment Preventing Maltreatment

Consequences of Maltreatment When children are abused, their social, emotional, and intellectual development is often affected As adults, children who were abused are more prone to depression and anxiety 8.4 Child Neglect and Maltreatment

Causes of Maltreatment Cultural and social factors--cultural attitudes, poverty, social isolation Parental--unhappy adults with limited parenting skills Children--very young and ill children more often targets as are stepchildren 8.4 Child Neglect and Maltreatment

Preventing Maltreatment Change attitudes toward acceptable punishment Eliminating poverty and other stressors Providing parents with better parenting and coping skills and social support 8.4 Child Neglect and Maltreatment