Physical Development
Children Ages 1-6
Goals:
• Demonstrate a safe and healthy learning environment for children.
• Understands the principles of nutrition, health, stress management,
safety, and first aid for individuals and family members.
• Analyze strategies that promote growth and development in young
children.
• Understands the ways to guide physical, social, emotional, and
intellectual development of children.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
 Toddlers – at about the age of
one, most children begin to walk
a few unsteady steps.
 Preschoolers – from ages three to five when most
children start going to school.
Influences on Growth and
Development
 Heredity – various characteristics that children inherit
from their parents and ancestors through their genes.
 Nutrition
 Health
 Life Experiences
Growth from One to Three
 Heredity and environment influence the rate at which
children grow in height and weight.
 The rate of physical growth slows from 4 to 6 in
comparison to ages 1 to 3.
 Balance and coordination show improvement over
time as children practice these skills.
Growth from One to Three
 Teeth
o One-year-old usually have about 8 teeth.
o During the second year they gain 8 more teeth.
o Typically, the last four teeth appear early in the third
year.
o All together children have 20 primary teeth.
Growth from One to Three
 Teeth (continued)
o Teeth are formed before birth, so the mother’s diet
during pregnancy affects the quality of her baby’s teeth.
o Diet greatly influences the quality of a child’s teeth. A
poor diet can cause tooth decay.
o Parents must help children brush their teeth until they
can do it on their own (around age 5).
o It is important to take children to the dentist at the age
of 18 months. Why?????
Growth from Four to Six
 Teeth
 Permanent teeth replace primary teeth. Children begin
loosing their primary teeth around age 5 or 6.
 Children will eventually have a total of 32 teeth.
 Primary teeth are lost in the same order they came in
(usually the front two lower teeth first and then the
front two upper teeth).
 Thumb sucking or using a pacifier can become an issue
as children get older.
Motor Development
 Gross Motor Skills
o Involves the use and control of large muscles of the
back, legs, shoulders, and arms.
 Examples: walking, running, jumping, climbing, throwing.
o With practice, children improve in steadiness, balance,
and body control.
Motor Development
 Fine Motor Skills
o Involves the use of smaller muscles of the body, such as
the fingers and wrist.
 Examples: cutting, writing, playing with blocks, coloring.
o Dexterity – skillful use of the hands and fingers.
o It is difficult to tell whether a child will be right- or lefthanded before age two.
Sleeping
 Sleep Patterns
o Most one-year-olds continue the pattern of sleeping six
or more hours a night.
o They typically take naps of several hours during the day.
o By the age two, most children no longer take a morning
nap, while afternoon naps continue for several years.
o Children feel comfort when there is a nightly routine.
Self-comforting techniques are also common at
bedtime.
Sleeping
 By the age of four, many children no longer take an
afternoon nap.
 Most children this age need 10 to 12 hours of sleep
each night.
 Ongoing bedtime routines are comforting for children
ages four to six.
Sleeping
 Sleep Disturbances
o Fear of the dark is common at ages two and three and
may prevent a child from falling asleep.
o Nightmares may occur because of stress or significant
changes in a child’s life.
Nutritional Needs and Eating
 Self-feeding
o One-year-olds: Finger foods are popular. Avoid foods
that are choking hazards. Children are usually 18 months
before they can use a spoon without spilling.
o Two-year-olds: Children this age can usually feed
themselves and learn to use a fork. They should also be
eating with the rest of the family.
o Three-year-olds: Most children are skillful using a spoon
and fork. They have a full set of primary teeth but food
still needs to be cut into small pieces.
Which snacks would be safe and
appropriate for a 2 year old?
Nutritional Needs and Eating
 Meal Appeal
o Color: varying foods can add color
o Texture: provides various textures (chewy, crunchy,
soft, juicy, etc.)
o Shape: use of shape adds interest
o Temperature: have both warm and cold foods
o Ease of Eating: cutting foods into smaller pierces makes
it easier for children to eat
Teaching about Nutrition
 As children get older it is important to teach them
about healthy foods both at home and at school.
 At home, involve children in meal planning and food
preparation.
 School can be the first time children make independent
choices about what to eat.
Nutritional Concerns
 There are two signs that children are meeting their
nutritional needs for normal growth and
development…
o Gaining weight at an appropriate rate.
o Eating a variety of nutritious foods.
 Children who are unhealthy…
o Have less resistance to illness.
o May not grow adequately.
o May have learning difficulties.
Nutritional Concerns
 Why or how do children have bad eating habits and
become overweight?
Hygiene
 Hygiene – personal care and cleanliness.
o Make taking daily baths part of the routine (NEVER
leave a child alone in a tub)
o Brushing teeth daily
o Washing hands
o Blowing nose
o Potty training
Potty Training
 Readiness - There is no set age to begin. Some
children are ready between 18 and 24 month and
others won’t start until 2 ½ to 3 years old.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Is able to walk steadily.
Urinates a fair amount at one time.
Has regular bowel movement at predictable times.
Has “dry” periods of a least two hours or during naps.
Can pull pants up and down.
Dislikes wearing wet or dirty diapers.
Shows interest in others using the bathroom.
Can follow simple directions
Hygiene – Potty Training
 Begin when there is a calm period (usually takes 3
months to potty train).
 Calm encouragement is more effective than rules and
punishment, and it helps build self-esteem.
 Flushing the toilet may scare some children.
 Bladder training typically follows bowel training by
several months, although some children learn both at
the same time.
Hygiene – Potty Training
 By their fourth birthday, most children have few
accidents.
 Most common reasons for accidents…
o
o
o
o
They are in a new place.
They forget to go.
There is stress or change in their lives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h4OsMZGpnw
Hygiene – Potty Training
 Toileting “Quiz”
o http://www.pull-ups.com/na/pottydanceTools.aspx
o http://www.nickjr.com/preschool/potty-training/
o http://www.huggies.com/en-US/products/trainingpants
Potty Seat v. Potty Chair
Dressing
 Dressing involves both fine and gross motor skills.
 Children begin helping around the age of 13 to 14
months.
 Self-dressing can help a child learn to be more
independent and responsible, in turn boosting selfesteem.
Dressing
 Choosing Clothing
o Comfort: should allow children to move freely.
o Fabric: a combination of natural (cotton) and synthetic
fibers (nylon or polyester) are best.
o Durability: must withstand wear and washing.
o Economy: choose clothes that allow for growth.
Dressing
 Children ages four to six are usually able to dress
themselves.
 Children will show likes and dislike for certain
clothing. They show group identification and want to
wear the same clothes as their friends.
 They are now able to begin caring for their clothes by
folding/hanging up clothes, putting clothes in
drawers, putting dirty clothes in laundry basket.
Health, Illness, and Safety
 Children still go to the doctor frequently for checkups from ages one to two.
 Doctors will make sure the child is growing
appropriately and will examine eyes, ears, teeth, and
other body parts.
 During check-ups children also receive immunizations
which prevent children from getting certain diseases.
 Safety Chart