1. Development of Children
Ages 4-6
Chapter 13

2. Rate of Growth Between ages 4-6 is slightly slower than age 1-2
Average increase in height is inches per year
Weight gain varies from 4-5 lbs a year
Boys tends to be taller and heavier than girls during this time

3. Teeth
Around 5-6, larger permanent teeth start to replace the baby teeth
Children will eventually have a total of 32 teeth

4. Thumb Sucking
Some 4,5, & 6 yr. olds continue to suck their thumbs occasionally as a way to comfort themselves or handle stress
Generally children stop sucking their thumbs on their own
Check with a dentist if thumb-sucking is excessive, it could affect the teeth line up

5. Motor Skills Small and large skills increase significantly
4-6 yr. olds are energetic, they love using their gross motor skills
Most have improved dexterity and can now lace shoes, even if they can’t tie them, they can pour liquids into a glass
Most can draw detailed pictures, use scissors, and write their names

6. Hand preference
Some children express a preference for using one hand over the other after age 2
Others may switch until later of year 5
Ambidextrous children can write and do activities with both hands
There is no reason to try to influence children to become one hand preference over another

7. Providing Good Nutrition
Need steady and varied supply of various nutritious foods – aids intellectual development
Children should eat 5-6 nutritious small meals a day, meaning 3 meals and 2 snacks
Small portions are best, because their stomachs are small

8. Nutrition, continued Teach good habits by example
Let them choose veggies and fruits to eat
Add (Hide) veggies in foods like adding veggies to chili, or hide carrot chunks in a chicken casserole
Nutrition lessons start at home, TV commercials may be harmful

9. Nutritional Concerns
2 signs that children are meeting their nutritional needs for normal growth and development are gaining weight and eating a variety of nutritious foods.
Overeating can cause diabetes and heart diseases

10. Weight Problems
All children are shaped differently and have different bone structures
Doctors can give specific suggestions for your child’s body type
Children need lots of activity
Eat less fatty foods – starts bad habits
Encourage drinking water

11. Teaching Self-care skills
Teach children to bathe, let them practice
Remind them to clean first and play and have fun later
Teach children to brush their teeth and floss early
Age 5 is recommended time for first visit to dentist

12. Sleep Sleep – children 4-6 need 10-12 hours sleep a night
Read bedtime stories –
2 reasons :
caregivers and parents show “nurture” and love through, close personal attention.
Routine reading is a way to help children develop interest in books and reading.

13. Dressing and Choosing clothes
4-6 year olds start and then get good at dressing themselves
Some may need help with fasteners and buttons
Select layered clothing to adjust to temperature changes
Buy easy –to- get on clothes
Children do have likes and dislikes – try to choose your battles

14. Choosing clothes Keep in mind COMFORT, DURABILITY, ECONOMY
They won’t wear them long before they outgrow them

15. Toileting
By 4, most children are potty trained, but still have a few accidents
Night-time bed-wetting may be a problem, check with doctor and adjust, they will grow out of it

16. Remember these tips Before leaving home, take child to restroom
When arriving in public place, point out where bathroom is , and remind them often to go
Keep an extra outfit in the car or close by
Handle situations of accidents quietly and without drawing any unnecessary attention to it
Stress of new places and new routines may cause relapses to accidents

17. Review Questions Why do some children suck their thumbs?
What is hand preference? When does it seem evident (age)?
What does ambidextrous mean?
What are two signs that children are meeting their nutritional needs?
What 2 things can over-eating cause?