13
Physical
Development
Chapter
Chapter
13 Physical
Development
from from
Four Four
to Sixto Six
Contents
 Section 13.1 Growth and Development from
Four to Six
 Section 13.2 Caring for Children from
Four to Six
Glencoe The Developing Child Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
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Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
Section 13.1 Growth and Development
from Four to Six
• Four- to six-year-old children grow and
develop in many areas:
•height
•weight
•posture
•body shape
•teeth
•motor skills
•hand preference
Glencoe The Developing Child Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
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Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
Growth from Four to Six
• Children from ages four to six are always
improving their physical skills.
• The rate of physical growth in this group is slightly
slower than in ages one to three.
Glencoe The Developing Child Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
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Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
Growth from Four to Six
• Bodies are becoming straighter
and slimmer.
• Balance and coordination
improve.
• Children begin to lose their
primary teeth.
• Children may thumb suck to
handle stress.
Glencoe The Developing Child Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
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Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
Development from Four to Six
• Gross and fine motor skills improve during this
time period.
• Children require guidance and practice to learn
new skills.
• Children need opportunities to develop their
motor skills.
What are some common activities
that help children improve their
motor skills?
Glencoe The Developing Child Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
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Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
Development from Four to Six
• Fine motor skills use muscles
in fingers, wrists, and ankles.
• Five-year-olds’ hand-eye
coordination is good enough
for pouring liquid into a glass.
• Most children have a preferred
hand by last half of fifth year.
Glencoe The Developing Child Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
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Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
Section 13.2 Caring for Children from
Four to Six
• Caregivers must provide for children’s
nutritional needs, teach them about good
nutrition, and teach them self-care.
• School-age children need to be taught about
outdoor safety.
Glencoe The Developing Child Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
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Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
Health and Wellness
• Gaining weight at an appropriate rate and eating
a variety of nutritious foods are signs that children are
meeting nutritional needs for normal growth and
development.
• Amount of food varied depending on weight and activity
level
• Parents and caregivers can encourage good eating habits
• Forcing and child to eat, making an issue of eating
certain foods, or using food as a reward may lead to
poor eating habits and weight issues
• Immunizations are required before attending school.
How can parents help children get a
variety of nutritious foods?
Glencoe The Developing Child Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
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Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
Self-Care Skills
• There are many ways four- to six-year-olds can
help care for themselves.
• Brush teeth, care for clothes, cleaning toys
• Comfort, durability, and economy are main
guidelines for choosing children’s
clothing.
• Personal hygiene, such as bathing
and brushing teeth, are important
for four- to six-year-olds to learn.
Glencoe The Developing Child Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
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Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
Sleeping and Toileting
• No need for naps by this age
• Caregivers need to set an appropriate bedtime.
• Need approx. 10-12 hours of sleep
• Independence in toileting increases.
• Parents and caregivers can take steps to help
minimize toileting accidents.
• Use bathroom before leaving home
• Identify bathroom at public places
• Keep extra outfits in case
Glencoe The Developing Child Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
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Chapter 13 Physical Development from Four to Six
Outdoor Safety
• Children ages four to six spend much of their time
playing outside.
• Outdoor safety should be discussed with fourto six-year-old children.
• Bicycles, traffic, and
playgrounds can carry
dangers of which children
must be aware.
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