Physical Development from 4-6 Chapter 13

Height and Weight Growth from four to six is slightly slower than from one to three Height – average yearly increase is 2 ½ to 3 inches Weight – average weight gain is 4 to 5 pounds per year Boys are often slightly taller and heavier than girls

Proportion and Posture Proportion – size relationship between different parts of the body Posture – the way in which someone holds his or her body

Posture and Proportion, cont’d Between 4th-7th birthday body becomes straightens and slimmer Abdomen and chest flatten out Legs and neck lengthen Balance and coordination improve; run with arms next to body

Teeth Missing teeth is typical of age six because kids begin to lose primary teeth and get set of 32 permanent ones Generally teeth are lost in same order that they come in

How many of you were thumb suckers? Thumb Sucking Some 4, 5, 6 year olds continue to seek thumb sucking usually to comfort themselves or handle tension Adults may worry, but it is best to ignore this, as it usually goes away on its own How many of you were thumb suckers?

Motor Skills Most small/large motor skills improve significantly during this time, however, at varying rates Ex. Child can put together 100 piece puzzle but can’t skip while another child can only put together 35 piece puzzle but is great at jumping rope

Pause . . . Read on page 386 under motor skills What can children do at 4-, 5-, and 6-years-old?

Motor Skills at 4 Learning to throw and catch Learn to lace shoes but cannot tie them

Motor Skills at 5 Show improved speed and coordination Can pour liquids from pitcher into glass Like to cut and paste and print some letters, not necessarily words Can button and snap clothing

Motor Skills at 6 Enjoy balancing activities, keeping time to music, jumping rope Can ride a bike ** Kids with well-developed small motor skills will find learning to read and write easier

Hand preference By age five kids usually choose/prefer one hand over the other; known as handedness Some say it is because heredity and others say it is because of the hand that parents put objects in Only a few are ambidextrous, can use both hands ** Try writing with the opposite hand you normally do on the dotted lines in your notes

Pause . . . Take the blank piece of paper provided and fold it in half Draw two pictures of a house with trees and flowers – one picture should be drawn with your left hand and the other with your right

Feeding Serving sizes are smaller for children Often eat minimum number of servings from each food group Research has shown that many kids do better with 5 or 6 meals/snacks per day rather than 3 large ones WHY?? . . . Because children’s stomachs are small and eating more frequently provides constant level of energy

Poor Nutrition Not getting the key nutrients needed through food Causes: Absence of guidelines for nutrition Parents have lack of understanding of nutrition Parents set poor examples

Poor Nutrition, cont’d Effects Kids have less resistance to colds and other illnesses Growth may be limited Learning may be more difficult because they are tired and easily distracted Weight problems – over or underweight

Nutrition Tips for Caregivers Parents should involve kids in food prep Also improves small motor skills Understand kids nutritional needs Make nutritious foods available and attractive Set a good example, but don’t make eating an issue

Teaching Self-care Washing and bathing: Kids are less interested in washing and bathing Set-up a routine Praise for a job well-done

Teaching Self-care Brushing teeth: Make sure kids know proper technique Tooth decay is a problem, so using toothpaste with FLUORIDE or putting SEALANTS on teeth is helpful

Teaching Self-care Dressing and choosing clothes: Kids age 4-6 can usually do it themselves, but may have difficulty with matching Some may need group identification or feel that they belong by wearing clothes their peers wear Can begin to fold, hang up, and put away clothes

Teaching Self-care Sleeping May no longer take naps Usually more cooperative about taking naps Some may need story, stuffed animal or companionship

Teaching Self-care Toileting Most are potty trained by 4 Accidents may occur because child becomes fully concentrated on activity Tips – take frequent breaks, point out where bathrooms are when somewhere new, keep extra clothes