PRESCHOOLER – PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

 VIDEO CLIP - PRESCHOOLERS

 1. Growth SLOWS DOWN greatly in the preschool years. The average yearly height increase is 2 1⁄2 to 3 inches.  2. Size of preschoolers varies due to a law that growth patterns proceed at an individual rate and time for each child.  3. Physical Changes:  The body becomes straighter and slimmer, and the protruding stomach from babyhood flattens.  The neck becomes longer and the legs lengthen and grow straighter and firmer. GROWTH ***They are losing the baby appearance and looking more like a big kid.

 4. Because of their changing proportion, the preschooler’s balance and coordination IMPROVES which affects their movements.  5. Improved hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity make for better use of the preschooler’s fingers and hands.  6. Definite hand preference for being right- or left-handed shown at 5 years old. ***Continue providing me with toys, activities and materials that will develop these skills. GROWTH AND MOTOR SKILLS

 7. GROSS motor skills are controlled and refined which make running, jumping, and throwing easier.  8. Children of this age are known for their HIGH activity level and energy. GROWTH AND MOTOR SKILLS

Four-Year Old  Better skills to stand on tip toes  Throwing and catching  Hopping on one foot  Alternating feet up and down stairs  Walking backwards Five-Year Old  Improved speed/coordination  Somersaults  Skipping  Balancing on one foot 9. GROSS MOTOR SKILLS

Four-Year Old  Put on and zip up coat  Cut with scissors  Puzzles  Write letters of alphabet Five-Year Old  Tie shoes  Draw person with head, body, arms, legs  Stay in the line  Eat with spoon or fork 10. FINE MOTOR SKILLS

 11. The amount of food a preschooler needs depends on their height and weight, their temperament, and the level of activity. ***Remember that children grow from near to far, head to foot, and at their own rate, but if a caregiver suspects a weight problem (too skinny or overweight) see their doctor. PRESCHOOLERS AND FOOD

 12. Children do better with 5-6 SMALL meals rather than 3 LARGE meals and snacks a day.  The child’s hand size/fist (OR a tablespoon per year old) indicates the amount of food that they should be given.  Provide nutritious meals and teach them about nutrition, like MyPlate, so that they will be healthy and know how to make healthy choices.  The preschooler is always watching your example of nutrition. PRESCHOOLERS AND FOOD

 13. It is the responsibility of the PARENT to provide healthful food and to teach the CHILD to make food choices.

 14. Children STILL NEED HELP maintaining cleanliness habits ***Poorly acquired habits can continue into adulthood.. CLEANLINESS AND INDEPENDENCE

 What are 3 self-help skills a child learns?  How can a caregiver help?  Release the control.  Provide choices for them.  Set them up for successes.  Set an example.  Let them know that you are here to help if they need it. Do it with them not for them.  Sing your instructions instead of speak them –kids listen! 15. SELF-HELP SKILLS

 Choose 2-3 people for your group  You will be assigned a task and skill  Math  Science  Language/Storytelling  Music  Arts/Creativity  Outside (Gross Motor Skills)  Snack  Dramatic Play? ………. Arts/Creativity  ***Your goal is to come up with an activity for the preschool, using this task  Fill out the paper provided  Be specific! I need to know exactly what I need to purchase for you so you can prep your lab! PRESCHOOL PREP