Chapter 8: Physical Growth in Preschool Children 8.1 Physical Growth 8.2 Motor Development 8.3...

Chapter 8: Physical Growth in Preschool Children

8.1 Physical Growth

8.2 Motor Development

8.3 Health and Wellness

8.4 Child Neglect and Maltreatment

8.1 Physical Growth

Body Growth

Brain Development

Sleep

Body Growth

Growth slows and is more stable during preschool years

Loss of fat and changing proportions

Cartilage turns to bone

Usually have all 20 primary teeth

8.1 Physical Growth

Average Growth During Preschool Years

Changing Body Proportions

Tooth Development

Brain Development

Preschool years a time of rapid growth for brainSynaptic pruning continuesMyelinization continues, particularly of the corpus callosum and sensory and motor regions of the brainBrain becomes more specialized

8.1 Physical Growth

Development of Brain

The Brain

Sleep

Amount of sleep decreases, including giving up naps around 4 years Bedtime struggles occur nightly in 20-30% of children Some children have sleep disturbances: nightmares, night terrors, sleep walking, and bedwetting

8.1 Physical Growth

Hours of Sleep

8.2 Motor Development

Gross-Motor Skills

Fine-Motor Skills

Handedness

Gender Differences in Motor Skills

Gross-Motor Skills

Big improvements in running and hoppingImproved ability to catch and throw a ballAdvanced motor skills lead to unstructured play

8.2 Motor Development

Development of Throwing and Catching

Fine-Motor Skills

Improved dexterity leads to more precise and delicate movements Greater fine-motor skill means that children can feed and dress themselvesBetter grip of writing implements means improved drawings

8.2 Motor Development

Stages of Drawing

HandednessBy 2 years, most children show a clear hand preference, 90% are right-handedLeft-handed people are more likely to have migraines, allergies, and language-based problemsLefties are more likely to be artistically and spatially talented

8.2 Motor Development

Gender Differences in Motor Skills

Boys tend to be more muscular and more activeBoys better at running and throwingGirls tend to be better at balancing, hopping, skipping, and fine-motor activities

8.2 Motor Development

8.3 Health and Wellness

Nutrition

Threats to Children’s Development

Nutrition

Preschoolers need to eat less per pound than infants and toddlers Some preschoolers become picky eatersParents should encourage a well-balanced diet

8.3 Health and Wellness

Threats to Children’s Development

Minor illnesses are common (7-8 colds per year)Chronic illness, except asthma, is not common in childhoodStress and poverty are more likely to lead to injury and illnessHospital stays can be made less traumatic

8.3 Health and Wellness

8.4 Child Neglect and Maltreatment

Consequences of Maltreatment

Causes of Maltreatment

Preventing Maltreatment

Consequences of Maltreatment

When children are abused, their social, emotional, and intellectual development is often affectedAs adults, children who were abused are more prone to depression and anxiety

8.4 Child Neglect and Maltreatment

Causes of MaltreatmentCultural and social factors--cultural attitudes, poverty, social isolationParental--unhappy adults with limited parenting skillsChildren--very young and ill children more often targets as are stepchildren

8.4 Child Neglect and Maltreatment

Preventing Maltreatment

Change attitudes toward acceptable punishmentEliminating poverty and other stressors Providing parents with better parenting and coping skills and social support

8.4 Child Neglect and Maltreatment