1. Physical Development from 4-6
Chapter 13

2. Height and Weight
Growth from four to six is slightly slower than from one to three
Height – average yearly increase is 2 ½ to 3 inches
Weight – average weight gain is 4 to 5 pounds per year
Boys are often slightly taller and heavier than girls

3. Proportion and Posture
Proportion – size relationship between different parts of the body
Posture – the way in which someone holds his or her body

4. Posture and Proportion, cont’d
Between 4th-7th birthday body becomes straightens and slimmer
Abdomen and chest flatten out
Legs and neck lengthen
Balance and coordination improve; run with arms next to body

5. Teeth
Missing teeth is typical of age six because kids begin to lose primary teeth and get set of 32 permanent ones
Generally teeth are lost in same order that they come in

6. How many of you were thumb suckers?
Thumb Sucking
Some 4, 5, 6 year olds continue to seek thumb sucking usually to comfort themselves or handle tension
Adults may worry, but it is best to ignore this, as it usually goes away on its own
How many of you were thumb suckers?

7. Motor Skills
Most small/large motor skills improve significantly during this time, however, at varying rates
Ex. Child can put together 100 piece puzzle but can’t skip while another child can only put together 35 piece puzzle but is great at jumping rope

8. Pause . . . Read on page 386 under motor skills
What can children do at 4-, 5-, and 6-years-old?

9. Motor Skills at 4 Learning to throw and catch
Learn to lace shoes but cannot tie them

10. Motor Skills at 5 Show improved speed and coordination
Can pour liquids from pitcher into glass
Like to cut and paste and print some letters, not necessarily words
Can button and snap clothing

11. Motor Skills at 6
Enjoy balancing activities, keeping time to music, jumping rope
Can ride a bike
** Kids with well-developed small motor skills will find learning to read and write easier

12. Hand preference
By age five kids usually choose/prefer one hand over the other; known as handedness
Some say it is because heredity and others say it is because of the hand that parents put objects in
Only a few are ambidextrous, can use both hands
** Try writing with the opposite hand you normally do on the dotted lines in your notes

13. Pause . . . Take the blank piece of paper provided and fold it in half
Draw two pictures of a house with trees and flowers – one picture should be drawn with your left hand and the other with your right

14. Feeding Serving sizes are smaller for children
Often eat minimum number of servings from each food group
Research has shown that many kids do better with 5 or 6 meals/snacks per day rather than 3 large ones
WHY?? Because children’s stomachs are small and eating more frequently provides constant level of energy

15. Poor Nutrition Not getting the key nutrients needed through food
Causes:
Absence of guidelines for nutrition
Parents have lack of understanding of nutrition
Parents set poor examples

16. Poor Nutrition, cont’d Effects
Kids have less resistance to colds and other illnesses
Growth may be limited
Learning may be more difficult because they are tired and easily distracted
Weight problems – over or underweight

17. Nutrition Tips for Caregivers
Parents should involve kids in food prep
Also improves small motor skills
Understand kids nutritional needs
Make nutritious foods available and attractive
Set a good example, but don’t make eating an issue

18. Teaching Self-care Washing and bathing:
Kids are less interested in washing and bathing
Set-up a routine
Praise for a job well-done

19. Teaching Self-care Brushing teeth:
Make sure kids know proper technique
Tooth decay is a problem, so using toothpaste with FLUORIDE or putting SEALANTS on teeth is helpful

20. Teaching Self-care Dressing and choosing clothes:
Kids age 4-6 can usually do it themselves, but may have difficulty with matching
Some may need group identification or feel that they belong by wearing clothes their peers wear
Can begin to fold, hang up, and put away clothes

21. Teaching Self-care Sleeping May no longer take naps
Usually more cooperative about taking naps
Some may need story, stuffed animal or companionship

22. Teaching Self-care Toileting Most are potty trained by 4
Accidents may occur because child becomes fully concentrated on activity
Tips – take frequent breaks, point out where bathrooms are when somewhere new, keep extra clothes