Physical Development Children add 2 to 3 inches in height each year Children gain 5 pounds in weight each year Boys are slightly larger than girls By the end of preschool years children begin to lose their “baby” teeth Malnutrition delays the appearance of permanent teeth Young children in homes with regular smokers are at an increased risk for decayed teeth 28% of U.S. preschoolers have tooth decay 30% of U.S. children living in poverty have dental problems

Factors affecting growth and health in early childhood Heredity and Hormones The pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain, plays a critical role by releasing two hormones that influences growth A thyroid stimulating hormone prompts the thyroid gland in the neck to release thyroxine which is necessary for brain development Infants born with a deficiency of thyroxine must receive it at once, or they will be mentally retarded Nutrition Many children in the United States and in developing countries lack access to sufficient high quality food to support healthy development. Malnutrition is associated with shorter attention and memory difficulties, lower intelligence, hyperactivity and aggression. Infectious diseases Of the 7.5 million annual deaths of children under the age of 5, 98% are in developing countries and 65% are due to infectious diseases. In developing countries, diarrhea resulting from unsafe water and contaminated food, leads to poor growth and nearly 1 million deaths. Childhood diseases have declined as a result of widespread immunizations of infants and young children. About 30% of U.S. preschoolers lack essential immunizations. The rate rises to 32% for children of poverty Some children do not have access to health care

Factors affecting growth and health in early childhood Childhood Injuries Auto and traffic accidents, drownings and burns are the most common injuries during early childhood. Boys are 1.5 times more likely to be injured than girls because of their higher activity level. Children with certain temperamental and personality characteristics (inattentiveness and overactivity, irritability, defiance and aggression are also at a greater risk Poverty, single parenthood, and low parental education are also strongly associated with injury Childhood injury rates are high in the United States because of extreme poverty, and shortages of high quality childcare.

Preventing Childhood Injuries There are laws that require car safety seats, child resistant caps on medicine bottles, flameproof clothing, and fencing around backyard swimming pools Playgrounds can be covered with protective surfaces About 27% of U.S. parents fail to place their preschoolers in car safety seats

Supporting language development Turn to page 195 of your textbook Look for information on how adults foster preschoolers’ language development Share this information with you group members Be prepared to share this information with the rest of the class