copyright © 2005 pearson education canada inc.8-1 chapter 8: physical growth in preschool children...

Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc. 8-1

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


Average Growth During Preschool Years


Changing Body Proportions


Tooth Development


Brain Development

Preschool years a time of rapid growth for brain

Synaptic pruning continues

Myelinization continues, particularly of the corpus callosum and sensory and motor regions of the brain

Brain becomes more specialized


Development of Brain

Source: Lemire et al., 1975


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


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


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 themselves

Better grip of writing implements means improved drawings


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


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


8.3 Health and Wellness

Nutrition

Threats to Children’s Development


Nutrition

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


Childhood Obesity in Canada

Obesity rates tend to be linked to the following factors:

Genetics

Geography (regional differences)

Socio-economic background


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


8.4 Child Neglect and Maltreatment

Consequences of Maltreatment


Consequences of Maltreatment

When children are abused, their social, emotional, and cognitive development is often affected

copyright © 2005 pearson education canada inc.8-1 chapter 8: physical growth in preschool children...

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