2 Physical Development in the Preschool Years
Chapter Objectives
After this chapter, you should be able to:
- Describe the physical changes that occur in early childhood.
- Explain how to provide health nutrition for 3- to 5-year-olds.
- Summarize how to support the progression of motor skills with age-appropriate activities.
- Discuss sleep needs during early childhood and sleep disorders that may affect children.
- Explain the development behind toilet training and some elimination disorders that children may experience.
- Discuss risks of and a variety of ways to promote and protect children’s health and safety.
Introduction
During the early childhood years of ages three to five we see significant changes in the way children look, think, communicate, regulate their emotions, and interact with others. Children are often referred to as preschoolers during this time period. We’ll examine the physical changes of the preschooler in this chapter.
Growth in Early Childhood
Preschool aged children tend to grow about 3 inches in height each year and gain about 4 to 5 pounds in weight each year. A 3 year old is very similar to a toddler with a large head, large stomach, short arms and legs. But by the time the child comes out of this stage, their torso has lengthened, and their body proportions have become more like those of adults. According to WHO (2021), the average 5 year old weighs approximately 43 pounds and is about 43 inches in height. This growth rate is slower than that of infancy.
nutritional concerns
That slower rate of growth is accompanied by a reduced appetite between the ages of 2 and 5. Children between the ages of 2 and 3 need 1,000 to 1,400 calories, while children between the ages of 4 and 8 need 1,200 to 2,000 calories (Mayo Clinic, 2016a, as cited in Paris, Ricardo, Raymond, & Johnson, 2021). This change can sometimes be surprising to parents and lead to the development of poor eating habits. However, by providing adequate, sound nutrition, and limiting sugary snacks and drinks, the caregiver can be assured that 1) the child will not starve; and 2) the child will receive adequate nutrition. Caregivers need to keep in mind that they are setting up taste preferences at this age. Young children who grow accustomed to high fat, very sweet and salty flavours may have trouble eating foods that have more subtle flavours such as fruits and vegetables. Consider the following advice about establishing eating patterns for years to come (Rice, 1997, as cited in Paris, Ricardo, Raymond, & Johnson, 2021). Notice that keeping mealtime pleasant, providing sound nutrition and not engaging in power struggles over food are the main goals (Leon, n.d.).
tips for establishing healthy eating habits
- Don’t try to force your child to eat or fight over food. Of course, it is impossible to force someone to eat. But the real advice here is to avoid turning food into a power struggle so that food doesn’t become a way to gain favour with or express anger towar