1 Physical Development of the Preschooler Chapter 15

2 Preschool children = between the ages of 3 to 5 years Becoming grown up Able to handle harder tasks Improve skills of walking, running, balancing, and self-dressing

3 Body Growth & Development Grow more slowly Children who are larger than their peers will likely be larger at age 5 years also

4 Height & Weight 75% of weight from muscle development Girls are shorter than boys Boys have more weight due to muscle development

5 Other Body Changes Toddler features disappear More in proportion of an adult Trunk grows for more space for internal organs –Internal organs = parts inside body, heart, lungs, and liver

6 Bones & Teeth Bones continue to ossify grow larger and longer Deciduous (baby) teeth begin to fall out Both can be harmed by malnutrition or other health problems

7 Organs Heart rate slows and becomes steady Blood pressure increases Breathing slows and is deeper Digestive track more irritated by high-fiber foods Brain grows but at a slower rate

8 Fat & Muscle Tissues Fat to muscle tissue ration decrease slowly Boys lose baby fat more quickly Skeletal muscles strengthen body (muscles attached to bones)

9 Motor Development Reaction time = time required to respond to sight or sound Reaction time is shorter

10 Gross Motor Gross motor and balance develop too Complex skill requires both signals from eyes and movement of fluids in inner ears go to brain to keep balance Balance keeps us upright and affects gross motor skills

11 Dynamic (balance while moving) develops when they walk a line or balance beam Static balance ( balance maintained while being still) learned when they stand on one foot with arms outstretched or folded across their chests

12 Body rotation is the action of turning the trunk of the body to one side when the hand on the other side is used to throw Weight shift is the change of weight from the back foot to the front foot See page 389 figure 15-7

13 Fine Motor Skills Ability to manipulate ( or work with by using hands) is still awkward Play with small objects Improved eye-hand coordination See sequence page 381 figure 15-9

14 Age 3 Years Most feed themselves (spoon and fork) Rather messy Build towers from small blocks, towers are crooked Draw straight lines and copy circles Unbutton buttons and pull large zippers

15 Age 4 Years Movements are steadier May try to use knives Build straight towers Steadier hands Cut along lines with scissors Can comb their hair and wash their hands

16 Age 5 Years Eye-hand coordination is greatly improved Right or left hand preference is definite by this age Use spoon, fork and knife Build towers and plays with toys with skill Make simple drawings free hand Fasten large buttons Work large zippers Tie shoelaces