Physical Growth & Development 1 – 3 Year olds

Learning Targets I can describe average changes in Height, weight, posture and proportion in ages 1-3 I can distinguish between small and large motor skills and give examples of each I can describe how to care for children ages 1-3, including issues of nutrition, hygiene, sleep & toilet training

An ancient Chinese Proverb “Give a man a fish and he will not go hungry for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will not go hungry for life.” How does this idea relate to caring for a children’s self-care?? What factors might interfere with a caregiver’s desire to teach self-care? How can caregivers prevent those factors from getting in the way??

Questions……. What is a toddler?? What age or ages does the term refer to?? Where does the name come from??

Infants to Toddlers Physcial growth slows considerably after the first year Physical skills improve!! Term toddlers refers to children who make uncertain movement –Around 1, unsteady steps (1-2 years) Preschoolers ages 3 – 5. –They walk steadily, hop, jump, & run –Need lots of space –Time each day for active play (exercise muscles & stored up energy) –Attention span longer – but activities changed often

Read Active Play for Growth & Development Page 349 Answer questions 1 & 2 with your table What are some other games that you can play with children aged 1-3??? Why mustn’t toddlers’ activities be too diffiucult for their phyical /mental abilities?

Height & Weight Both Slower in this period than in infancy Gain about ½ lb per month Height also slows by about half Chart on page 350 shows the average height & weight for the ages Heredity & environmental influences more noticeable After 1 st b-day, children show greater variation in size –Tall 2 yr old = tall adult

Proportion & Posture B/c of changes in proportion, posture improves!!! Until age 2, a child’s head, chest & abdomen all mesure about the same All three grow at the same rate Between ages 2-3 – chest becomes larger than the head & abdomen –Arms, legs & trunk grow rapidly Help improve child’s balance & motor skills

Proportion & Posture 2 years –stands straighter, but posture in not completely erect –Abdomen still protrudes (sticks out), head – somewhat forward –Elbows & knees – slightly bent 3 years –Posture more upright –Spine has strengthened – back straighter –Lost some (not all) baby fat)

In groups of 3 You are to plan a lesson for children aged 3 called “Taking Care of Your Teeth” Class should teach children the order of primary teeth appear, factors that keep teeth healthy, & factors that contribute to tooth decay. You can prepare diagrams & visual aid, Demonstrations Create a rhyming jingle to help rememberance Info on the web and page 351

Teeth

Motor Skills Remember 3 patters –Head to foot –Near to far –Simple to complex Large motor skills –Involve use and control of the large muscles of the back, legs, shoulders & arms Small motor skills –Depend on the use & control of the muscles of the wrists, fingers, & ankles

Motor Skills Children do not acquire them as predictable during infancy Variations caused by differences in physical size, health & diet, interests, temperament, opportunities for physical play & many other factors Developmentally appropriate – tasks are suitable for the child given his/her age & interests

Large Motor Skills Physical exercise & repeated practice Improvement – slow buy steady Walking – 1 st b-day, pride

Small Motor Skills Between 1 st & 2 nd b-day, learn to feed themselves & drink from a cup fairly well –Poor hand-eye coordination causes spills at the beginning 1 yr olds – playing w/blocks, pyramid of different size rings, musical rolling toys= helps small motor skills 2 yr olds – improves dexterity – skillful use of the hands & fingers –Turn pages of a book one at a time, peel banana, enjoy using crayons, build towers 3yr olds – show more skill, delight in taking things apart & putting them back together

Choosing Foods For Children Need a variety of nutritious food daily Plan meals using MyPlate (MyPyramid) Pediatricians recommend that milk or milk products not be given to a child until bday 1 –Ages 1-2= whole milk –After 2, reduced-fat (lowmilk) Be CAUTIOUS in serving convenience food to children –High in salt & preservatives Chose fresh foods – use nutitrion labels & ingredients list = nutritional choices

Healthy Eating 1-3 To promote interest in nutritious foods – make them appealing Color – variety of color: interest Texture – different senations: crunchy, chewy & juicy Shape – adds appeal: help the child identify shapes, cookie cutters (nice) Temperature – hot & cold foods – safety is concern – be careful – always check Ease of eating – ground beef easier to chew than a pork chop, loves spaghetti – cut into short pieces

Mealtime Tips Meals = important events in the child’s day Practice skills, learn independence, explore textures, colors & talk to others

Mealtime Guidelines Include children in meal preparation whenever possible Follow a regular schedule for meals/snacks Keep meals pleasant (model manners) Use a sturdy, unbreakable dish or plate w/sides when serve the child’s food Choose a cup that the child can hold easily & that doesn’t readily tip Provide child-sized eating utensils Let a toddler sit in a high chair for meals Set good examples in food choices

Mealtime Guidelines Avoid using food as a punishment or a bride. If you say, “You can’t have a cookie until you finish your vegetables,” you give the impression that vegetables are bad and cookies are good.

Bathing Help young children develop both good attitudes about hygiene (personal cleanliness) and good hygiene skills Toilet training – wash hands after each time they use the bathroom Daily baths – nice habit, good hygiene skills & at this age most love water! 1 yr olds – they want to wash themselves 2yr olds – most can wash, rinse & dry pretty well 3 yr olds – can bathe with little supervision

Bathing Bathtubs are still dangerous for children A child can drown in as little as 1” of water NEVER leave a child alone in the bath Cover the tub to prevent slipping No set age at which children can safely shower –Depends on child’s ability to control water temp, stand in shower safely & get him/herself clean

Caring for the Teeth Teach them to brush right after eating – the longer food remains in the mouth the more it can damage teeth Encouragement – small, soft toothbrush & a bit of toothpaste – Attempts – not very successful, but the opportunity = IMPORTANT Even at age 3, kids will still need adult help

Caring for the Teeth Many dentists recommend: Show kids how to floss teeth –Start with top teeth one night and the bottom teeth the next night 18 months – good age for children to have first dental checkup

Dressing Caregivers should encourage self- dressing when a child shows interest Involves a number of large & small motor skills that must be learned one step at a time Patience = IMPORTANT –Child learns these skills through practice Usually starts around months

Dressing 13 months - Holds an arm out for a sleeve. Next, may learn to actually push his/her own arm through sleeve By 2, pull up pants, but shirts still continue to be difficult Garments – inside out, backwards By 3 – pretty much can dress independently, except help w/fasteners & shoelaces Provides – self-esteem, independence, responsibility Provide clothes that are easy to put on & take out

Choosing Clothing Comfort – allow freedom of movement –Size – IMPORTANT: too small – restrict movements –Sizes do not always fit the same, if possible let child try on Durability – withstand hard wear & repeated washing –Quality of fabric & construction of clothing – look for close, even stitching w/strong thread –Fasteners should be firmly attached –Cotton – good choice – shirts & underwear –Synthetic fibers – made from chemical rather than natural sources Economy – choose clothes that allow for growth –Let kids help

Sleeping Near 2 nd b-day – sleeping habits change –Less sleep, may not go to sleep as easily or willingly –2 yr no longer takes a morning nap –3yr old may give up their afternoon nap as well May change b/c they may seem more dependent on adults than in previous year Often use self comforting techniques: thumb sucking, rocking the crib, cuddling a favorite blanket or toy

Sleeping 3 yr old – not unusual to wake in the middle of the night & even get out of bed –Emotional experiences of the day, excitement at bedtime or nighttime fears may cause insure feeling at night 2 & 3 yr olds – fear of the dark –Many causes –Fears – very real & usually very troubling –Rarely a quick solution  –Discussion, night light –Patience & understanding –Ridicule or shaming only makes a problem worse

Toilet Training Most begin sometime at 18 months No set age Each child should start when he/she is physically mature & emotionally ready

Readiness (Toilet Training) Sphincter muscles – the muscles that control elimination –Child must recognize the body sustentations that lead elimination Only then is he/she ready Emotionally ready – settled in a family daily routine –During move or any similar event that requires adjustment – not a good time

Giving Help Attitudes – very important Calm encouragement better (more effective) than rules & punishment –Build self-esteem Ready – want to succeed –Child resists – wait for readiness Even after trained – some accidents should be expected

Giving Help Child – may prefer to use special seat or a separate potty chair –More independence Frightened by the flushing toilet - better to wait till child leaves room – but still teach that they need to flush toilet Bowel training before bladder training –When you see the awareness on a child’s face – suggest sitting on the toilet seat or potty chair –Be available & encouraging – not forceful & demanding

Giving Help Bladder follows several months later Some may learn at the same time Many are encouraged when given training pants – heavy absorbent underpants, in place of diapers –Makes it possible to use the potty independently –Sign of maturity

Assignment Read Keeping Children Safe & Healthy page –Questions 1-2 Worksheets Complete Studyguide and/or complete questions #1-9 on page 374 Test – tomorrow!!!