Physical Development from Ages 1-3

Toddlers to Preschoolers• Physical growth slows down after the first year, but

physical skills improve dramatically from the first to the fourth birthday

• “Toddling”- around age one when children begin to walk a few unsteady steps, Toddlers

• Preschoolers- children ages three to five, make advances in physical skills such as jumping and running

– Need lots of space and time each day for active play to – develop physical skills – exercise muscles – use stored up energy– Attention span is longer than infants, but they still want to change

activities often

Height and Weight

• Growth in height and weight is slower in this period compared to babies– Might only gain about ½ pound each month– Hereditary and environmental influences are

more noticeable • more variation in height among children than weight

• Height at age 2 usually is significant to height as an adult

Proportion and Posture• Posture improves because of changes in body proportion• Head, chest, and abdomen grow at the same rate and measure about

the same until age 2• Between ages 2-3 the chest becomes larger, arms, legs, trunk grow

rapidly– Help improve balance and motor skills

• Child stand straighter by age 2, but posture is not completely erect– Abdomen protrudes– Head is somewhat forward– Knees and elbows are slightly bent

• By age 3 spine has strengthened so back is straighter– Some baby fat is lost at this age

Teeth• Average of 8 teeth by age 1

– 8 more teeth come in during the second year– Last 4 back teeth emerge early during 3rd year, giving complete set

of 20• Diet of mother during pregnancy and of child during the

first 2 years lay the foundation for good or poor teeth• Dairy products rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D

help in the development of strong healthy teeth and bones• Diet can cause tooth decay: sweets, candy, sugar coated

cereals, going to bed with a bottle (except water)

Motor Skills

• Motor skills are divided into two types– Large motor skills- use and control of the large

muscles of the back, legs, shoulders, and arms• ex: walking, running, throwing balls

– Small motor skills- depend on use and control of the finer muscles of the wrists, fingers, and ankles; many of these skills require hand-eye coordination• ex: using crayons, paintbrushes, turn pages of a

book, eating

Motor Skills cont

• Acquiring physical skills are not as predictable as they were in infancy– Some learn earlier or later than average based on

• physical size • health and diet• interests• temperament • opportunities for physical play

• developmentally appropriate- tasks are suitable for child given his or her age and interests

Large Motor Skills

• Physical exercise and repeated practice promote development– Improvement is usually slow but steady– Ex walking: • walks and holds onto furniture• first steps wobbly, toes pointed out, arms out for

balance• takes a few steps, collapses into sitting position

– constant practice helps child improve steadiness, balance, and body control

Small Motor Skills• Ex: feeding themselves and drinking from a cup• Poor hand-eye coordination causes many spills

– Success and neatness improve with practice– Jack in the box and musical rolling toys help small motor skills

• Dexterity- skillful use of the hands and fingers• 2 year olds show improved dexterity

– Can turn pages of a book, peel a banana, turn on a faucet– Enjoy crayons- even if they end up on tables and walls– Build towers with blocks

• 3 year old show more skill– Take things apart and put back together– Can draw circles and lines

Caring for Children Ages 1-3

Feeding• Food eaten at this age influences food habits that

can last throughout life• Self-feeding helps and depends on small motor

skills• Toddlers need food every three to four hours

because their stomachs are small– Snacks are helpful in between meals– The amount of food eaten daily by a toddler depends on

appetite and level of activity• Meals can be a battle ground!– Strong opinions of likes and dislikes of food are

developed

Improvement of Self Feeding Skills

• One-year olds eat baby foods and simple foods from family meals

– Foods should be cut into small pieces to avoid choking– Finger foods are easy to pick up– At about 1 ½ toddlers can use a spoon to feed themselves

• Two-year olds feed themselves and can use a fork– Usually takes a while to eat– Improves motor skills– Schedule meals so the toddler eats with the family

• Three-year olds have a full set of teeth so chewing is easier– Meats and tough foods should be served in small pieces– Can use forks, spoons, and regular cups at meals

Choosing Foods for Children• Use regular milk until 2 years old, then introduce reduced

fat milk– The extra fat in whole milk helps aid in brain development until the

second year– Choose fresh foods when possible; convenience foods can contain

a lot of salt and fat• How can you promote interest in nutritious foods to

toddlers? Give them appealing meals.– Color- a variety of bright colors– Texture- crunchy, chewy, juicy– Shape- cut sandwiches, fruits, and vegetables in different shapes– Temperature- hot/warm and cold foods at the same meal– Ease of eating- foods that are easier to chew and eat

• Create a dish to be served to a child. Use your imagination to give the food special appeal. Present your idea with a colored drawing and write out a list of ingredients and instructions to create your dish.

Bathing• Caregivers need to help toddlers develop good

hygiene and good hygiene skills– Hygiene- personal cleanliness

• Daily bath helps build good hygiene– Bathing at night helps with a bedtime routine– Toddlers typically have fun playing in the water

• One year olds want to wash themselves– Usually means rubbing washcloth over face and

stomach• Two year olds can wash, rinse, and dry themselves

fairly well– Caregivers have to help with neck and back

Bathing cont• Three year olds can bathe themselves with little

supervision• Bath Time Safety:

– Never leave a child alone• can drown in a little amount of water

– Cover the bottom of the tub to prevent slipping• rough plastic stickers• rubber mat

• When a toddler can shower depends on the child’s ability to:

– control water temperature– stand in the shower safely– ability to clean themselves

Caring for Teeth

• Encourage children to brush their teeth right after eating– The longer foods remains in the mouth, the more

damage it can cause• Use a small soft toothbrush and drop of

toothpaste• Dentist encourage parents to begin flossing the

teeth and show how to hold and use the floss– Some dentist suggest at 18 months to have the first

dental checkup

Dressing a Toddler• Toddlers are eager to start dressing themselves

– Caregivers should encourage self-dressing when a toddler shows interest• Dressing involves large and small motor skills at a time

– Patience is key– Practice makes perfect

• Toddlers usually start to try helping with dressing around 13-14 month– Could be as small as holding out arm for the sleeve of a shirt– Eventually will be able to push own arm through the sleeve

• By two years, toddlers can pull up pants, but shirts may still be difficult– Can be inside out or backwards

• By 3 years, toddlers can dress independently– May need help with buttons and shoelaces

Characteristics to Look for When Choosing Clothing

• Comfort- allow freedom of movement– stretch as child moves– size is important- possibly let child try on clothes before you buy them

• Durability- influenced by the quality of the fabric and construction of the clothing

– must withstand hard wear and repeated washing– denim is durable– fasteners and trim should be firmly attached– cotton is comfortable- won’t irritate skin, washes well– synthetic fibers are made from chemicals, not natural resources

• polyester and acrylic- durable, wrinkle resistant, quick drying• don’t absorb moisture well, hold heat and perspiration against the body

• Economy- choose clothes that allow for growth– look for hems or cuff that can be let down– straps on overalls or jumpers are adjustable– pants can be rolled up and down

Sleeping• By two years old, sleeping habits usually change

– Require less sleep– May not go to sleep as easily or willingly– May no longer take a morning nap

• Two year olds tend to be more emotionally dependant on adults– Call parent back repeatedly– Ask for drink of water– Another story– Trip to the bathroom

• Two year olds use self comforting techniques such as thumb sucking, rocking the crib, cuddling favorite blanket or toy

• Three year olds wake up frequently during the night and get out of bed– Fear of the dark is common– May have heard reports on the news of fires, burglaries, etc

• calming talk may help• nightlights• need lots of patience and understanding

Toilet Training• Toilet training should start when the child is physically mature and

emotionally ready• Physically mature:

– Control sphincter muscles- muscles that control elimination– Recognize body sensations that precede elimination

• Calm encouragement of caregivers is more effective than rules and punishment

• A child who is emotionally ready usually wants to succeed– Even after toilet training is completed, some accidents can still occur

• May use a potty chair or a special seat on the toilet• Some toddlers are afraid of the toilet when it flushes• Training pants are heavy absorbent underpants in place of a diaper

– Makes toddlers feel mature