Preschool Child (3-5yrs)Jacey Sheckler, RDH, MS

Spring 2017

Biological Processes

Growth rate remains steady

Body/organ functions continue to mature

Immune systems boost due to exposure

Musculoskeletal and neurological development

Mobility improves

Fine motor skills improve

Biological Processes

Vision – as toddler – amblyopia, etc

Hearing – auditory tests measure issues

Sensory perceptions mature

Language – expressive and receptive

mature

Stuttering may surface

Environmental Processes

Injuries

Burns, drowning

Mechanical forces

Bicycle accidents

Auto-related accidents

Biological and bacterial agents

Development of antibodies

Immunizations

Chemical agents

Pollutants

Poisons

Environmental cont’d

Cancer

Acute lymphocytic leukemia

Retinoblastoma

Wilms tumor

Neuroblastoma

Asthma

Rising occurrence in preschool age – more than any other age group

Influences on development

Gender stereotypes

Race – economic and cultural issues

Genetics – many signs and symptoms appear at

this age, more appear during adolescence

Developmental and behavioral milestones

Self-perception

Struggle for autonomy

Scaffolding accomplishments=building

self-esteem

Erikson

Roles/relationships

Peers increase

Acceptable behaviors

Coping & Stress Tolerance

Play

Protest behavior

Values and Beliefs

Social Processes

Community and Work

More involved with outside groups

Wider social arena

Culture and Ethnicity

“Why do we do what we do?”

Legislation/economics

Safety-focused bills

1 in 4 children under 6 YOA lives in poverty

Health Care Delivery System

School admission requires health screening

Nutrition

Over half of diet = carbs, whole grains, other

complex carbs

Fat consumption higher than older children,

unsaturated fats preferred

Sugar intake = caries risk

ECC

Food preferences emerge

Day-care meals – minimal standards

Group settings – learn both good and bad habits

Positive role models important

Nutrition

Better able to use utensils

Involve in simple meal preparation

Teaches nutrition

Increases self-esteem

Food allergies increase – most develop by

2 YOA

Become apparent and more of a concern

when in group setting

Activity and Exercise

Play is primary

Fantasy

Role-play

Reveals perception of the world

Increased coordination and confidence with motor skills

Partner play

Modeling behavior/mimic others

Increase in social skills

Understand past and future

TV concerns – too much?

Rest

Rest – 8-12

hours/night;

30-60 min

nap/day

Bedtime ritual –

prolonged

Nightmares and

terrors still

common

Cognition/Perception

Piaget:

Egocentric – own perspective

Imaginary friends

Simple reasoning, cannot understand complex

Roles/Relationships

Family still important

Peers increase

Gender expectations understood

Relate to older siblings more equally than toddlers do

Social interactions prepares for school

Family disruption requires consolation and assurance

Coping Mechanisms

Similar to toddler

Positive relationship between demands of

environment and child’s temperament

More able to verbalize frustrations

Fewer temper tantrums

Patience to resolve difficulty

Strict adherence to rules and rituals!

Control behaviors to seek approval from valued

adults - parents, teachers

Psychological Processes

When to refer a child: abuse, extremes of behavior, neurological signs and

symptoms

Severe developmental or cognitive delay

Extremely poor parenting