PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT 4-6 OFTEN CALLED “PRESCHOOLERS”

PROPORTION AND POSTURE Child’s body becomes straighter/ slimmer between 4 th – 7 th birthday Protruding abdomen of babyhood flattens Shoulders widen and are held more erect Chest was round at birth and starts to broaden and flatten The neck become s longer Legs become straighter and firmer Holds arms near body when walking/ running

TEETH Children start to lose primary teeth Six year old molars start to appear Two upper and two lower in the back Appear before the front teeth are replaced THUMBSUCKING Self comforting technique Effect position of permanent teeth Shape of the jaw

HAND PREFERENCE At age five, children consistently use either right or left hand for activites Few people can use both hands (ambidexterious) Preference Right before the second birthday No one knows exactly how it happens Heredity/what hand things are put in

BATHING AND DRESSING Decreased interest in washing, bathing, and dressing is common Make routines for bathing, washing hands, and other cleanliness habits Helps children accept it Praise helps them keep doing it 4, 5, 6 year olds should dress themselves Besides hard zippers/ buttons Difficulty matching colors/ may clash Clothes Comfortable/ Durable Let them pick which clothes they like and don’t like

HEIGHT AND WEIGHT Height Growth rate is slower than 1-3 years Average yearly increase in height – 2 ½ to 3 in. Double birth length in 5 yrs. Weight Most gain 4-5 lbs. per yr Boys are slightly heavier and taller

MOTOR SKILLS Walking, running, and climbing become more developed Start learning to throw and catch by age 4 Improve speed and coordination by age 5 Balancing activities  Walking on curb, riding bicycle,etc. Dexterity: skilled use of hands and fingers Dexterity improves in ages 4-5 yrs Movements become smoother by 6 yrs old

FEEDING Snacks are not bad  Provide energy Poor diets  Less resistance to cold and infections  Find learning more difficult

SLEEPING AND TOILETING Sleeping Should be in their own bed May be reluctant to go to bed  Starts to become less frequent by age 6 Toileting Bed wetting is common Enuresis: lack of bladder control  not a problem until after 3 rd or 4 th year Accidents should be taken casually  Humiliation can aggravate the problem Most children have day/night bladder control by age 5