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

2. 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.

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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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 in
26 to 30 lbs.
Three Years
36.75 to in
29.25 to 34 lbs.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Tracking Development
Developmental milestones: keys skills, such as learning to walk, used to check a child’s progress against average development
See Fig 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?

13. 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

14. 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

15. Planning Activities
Using Fig 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