Chapter 13: Physical Development from 4 – 6yrs

Height and Weight Growth slows down from toddler years Height: 2 ½-3 inches per year Weight: 4-5 pounds per year Boys are now slightly larger than girls

Proportion and Posture Bodies become straighter and slimmer Protruding stomach flattens The chest broadens and flattens with improved posture Neck longer Legs grow longer, straighter, firmer Balance and coordination improves They hold their arms nearer to the body when they run or walk

Teeth They will have a total of 32 permanent teeth that will replace the 20 primary teeth. 6 year olds molars are the first permanent teeth that appear, followed by 2 lower front, and 2 upper front. Molars act as an anchor-keeping teeth in place Primary teeth are lost in the same order they came in. Question: When and how did you lose your first tooth?

Thumb Sucking For comfort or handle stress May affect teeth or jaw shape if older than 5. Ignore it unless dentist is concerned or after 5, they should stop naturally. Question: Who sucked their thumb, fingers or hand? When and how did you stop?

What is the difference between Gross Motor and Fine motor skills?!

Motor Skills Very energetic- their favorite activities are running, jumping, and climbing Activities that involve rhythm appeal to them 4 and 5 year olds show improved dexterity- use hands and fingers skillfully 5 year olds hand eye coordination has improved- they can pour liquids from a pitcher

Fine Vs. Gross Children need plenty of opportunities to develop their motor skills Give them space and time to run, jump, and climb-Gross motor Small motor- making cards, painting pictures, drawing, tracing outlines, and cutting

Fine Motor 4 year olds 5 year olds 6 year olds Dresses and undresses self Draws a person with head, body, arms, and legs Cuts, pastes, and colors skillfully Cuts on line with scissors Prints some letters Buttons clothing Copies a triangle and square Writes entire words Copies a circle and a cross Uses spoon and fork to eat, but still uses fingers Ties shoes

Gross Motor 4 Years 5 Years 6 Years Hops on one foot Throws ball overhand Turns somersaults Can ride a two- wheel bicycle with training wheels Walks backward easily Skips with alternating feet Jumps rope Alternates feet walking up and down stairs Balances on each foot for short period Throws and catches a ball with more ease and accuracy

Are you right or left handed? Hand Preference Are you right or left handed? After a child is 5 they will pick the hand they will consistently use Which ever hand they choose becomes the stronger, more skillful one Ambidextrous- able to use both hands with equal skill

Now what? Read Chapter 13, section 1 Answer questions 1-6 on page 414 Write your answers using your NON-dominant hand (i.e. Righties write Lefty) Homework: Write a one paragraph reflection on the assignment above. What was challenging or frustrating? How do you think a child feels when forced to use the other hand?