EARLY CHILDHOOD AGES 3-6 Chapter 6 © 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Physical Development Section 1 © 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Growth from Age 3 to 6: Body Growth U.S. children grow about 2–3 inches a year and add 5–7 pounds Boys slightly taller and heavier than girls Primary teeth replace primary baby teeth Tooth decay more common in children from developing countries © 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Growth from Age 3 to 6: Brain Development Size of brain increases gradually during early childhood Age 3 brain is 70% of adult weight Age 6 brain is 90% of adult weight Frontal lobe growth is important during preschool years Frontal Lobes emotional regulation foresight planned behavior © 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Growth from Age 3 to 6: Brain Development Synaptic pruning continues in early childhood Unused neurons and misconnected dendrites die. 1. Ex: gardener will cut out the weak/extra bushes so stronger ones can grow. “use it or lose it” When you learn something new/ improve on an ability your brain makes new neural connections and keeps connections strong Let's Watch Pruning is very important for brain power!!!

Growth from Age 3 to 6: Brain Development Substantial myelination Corpus callosum Cerebellum Reticular formation Hippocampus Increase in dendrite connection + myelination= Increase in brain size Figure 6.1 Four Brain Structures with High Myelination in Early Childhood In which structures is myelination completed by age 5? © 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Growth from Age 3 to 6: Health and Safety Developing countries face malnutrition as a norm (80% of children) Lack of protein experienced by 25% of children younger than age 5. Can lead to marasmus and kwashiorkor= deadly Infancy Toddlerhood & Early Childhood © 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Growth from Age 3 to 6: Health and Safety Iron deficiency (anemia) is experienced by majority of children Causes fatigue, irritability, and difficulty sustaining attention US children have calcium deficiency needed for bone/teeth growth Obesity is common in developed countries. WHY?

Motor Development: Gross and Fine Motor Skills Gross motor skills extend abilities that appeared earlier Some gender differences Boys become better at skills that focus on: strength or size like jumping, throwing a ball Girls become better at body coordination like balancing on one foot. Fine motor development allows refinement of skills Drawing shapes, letters, name, using scissors, dressing, brushing teeth © 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Let’s Watch

Motor Development: Handedness LO 6.5 Handedness Preferences for handedness can be seen prenatally ex: fetus either sucking the right or left thumb. Genetics Adopted children resemble biological parents more than adoptive parents Identical twins likely to differ b/c they lie in opposite ways in the uterus and use the other hand. Culture Historically left-handedness is considered evil Why? • • © 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Fun Facts Pros of being left handed More likely to show exceptional verbal & math abilities Likely to have strong visual & spatial abilities Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Picasso Cons of being left handed Infants are more likely to be born prematurely or experience difficult birth Likely to have problems learning to read or verbal learning disabilities Lower life expectancy More likely to die of an accident • • • • • • © 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.