Physical Development of the Toddler! Ages: 1-3

1. Physical Development of the Toddler!Ages: 1-3 Unit 3- Toddlers

2. Height and Weight • Genes determine height which influences weight (heredity) • However, the environment (diet, exercise, health, and even emotions) affect a person’s weight more than genes • Because of these factors, toddlers grow at different rates

3. Years One and Two • Body growth begins to slow after the first year • Babies grow about half as much in height during the second year as compared with the first year • Most babies triple their birth weight in a year, then gain only ¼ that amount during the second • Some babies grow a little faster than these norms because they may be “catching up” to norms after a premature birth of first year illness.

4. After Year Two • Growing a slower but steadier rate • Tend to gain 2-3 inches and about 6 pounds per year throughout childhood • This rate of growth continues for girls until age 11 and 13 for boys

5. Other Body Changes • At 24 months, the head is ¼ of the total height. An adult’s head is 1/10th of his or her height. • The child’s body-build type will become apparent during the toddler years

6. Bones and Teeth • Bones are becoming harder • The degree of ossification is not the same throughout the body • Due to the cartilage, the toddler’s bones are more flexible and less likely to break than an adult’s. • However, the softer bones are more prone to disease or deformation • Shortly after 2 years, a child has the full set of deciduous teeth (baby teeth!!).

7. The Brain • Brain is 4/5 of its adult weight • The brain is closer to maturity than any other organ. • The other body organs continue to mature, but they do so at a slower rate than the brain. • This is an example of the head-to-foot principle– development is completed from the brain down the spine!

8. Fat and Muscle Tissue • Fat deposits under the skin decrease rapidly between 9 and 30 months. • The chubby baby becomes a slender child! • Muscle development (the lengthening and thickening of muscles) is slow during the toddler stage.

9. Motor Development

10. Large-Muscle Development • Refers to the development of the trunk, arm and leg muscles • The following movements depend mainly on the large muscles: • Crawling • Walking • Jumping • Running

11. Walking • Begins within two to three months before or after first birthday • Girls tend to walk before boys • Babies learn to walk in their own time and way. To do so, they need: • Warm adult support • Positive reaction to attempts • Safe Area • Pushing a baby to walk early… will not help!

12. Beginning Walkers • Stand with their feet wide apart (gives them a wider base of support) • Turn their feet outward and slightly flex their knees • Some children walk on tiptoes because they have not learned to lower their heels yet • Arms are often held up or out (they do not swing alternatively with foot movement)

14. Walking at Two Years • A child’s walk may look like a run, but it is not a run • Toddlers take about 170 steps a minute • Their stride is half the length of an adult’s stride Activity

15. That’s why this happens!  • Can you imagine doubling your steps, taking 170 steps per minute, and having someone hold on to your hand above your head? • No wonder walking tires young children before adults

16. Walking at Two Years • Toddlers rarely go around small obstacles on the floor such as a toy or book, they simply walk over it= which increases their chances of falling • Toddlers must watch their foot placement while walking until almost age 3 • (They must watch every step the same way you would if you were walking on stones across a creek) • Being distracted is another reason toddlers fall

17. Running • Begins around age 2 • Toddlers can not start or stop quickly

18. Jumping • Stepping off low objects about 18 months is the way children learn to jump! • At two years, children can jump off low objects with two feet

19. Climbing • Begin climbing as soon as they can crawl or creep • Between 15 and 18 months, babies will climb onto furniture • They will walk up and down stairs with help • Going up stairs is easier for them then going down • Toddlers do not change feet while climbing until after their second birthday • A courageous baby is more likely to try climbing than a timid baby • A toddler’s environment also encourages or discourage climbing

20. Throwing and Catching • Infants begin throwing by accident because they forget to hold onto an object while swinging their arms • They enjoy seeing the object move and hearing the sound it makes when it lands • Then, babies start to throw on purpose • Planned throwing begins around age 1 • Children under age 3 are not skillful throwers • When they “catch” an object, they squat and pick it up, until about age 2

21. Small-Muscle Development • Refers to the development of small muscles, especially those in the hands and fingers • The movements that depend on these muscles are called fine-motor skills. Fine motor skills depend upon a child’s level of eye-hand coordination! • Eye-hand coordination = the ability to coordinate what a person sees with the way the person moves his or her hand

22. By the end of the first year, babies can hold objects between the thumb and index finger • Between 12 and 18 months, toddlers can hold spoons in their firsts. • They can feed themselves and drink from cups

23. By 15 months, they can fill and empty containers • They can also make marks on paper by holding a pencil or crayon in their fists • They can also: • Remove a hat and socks • Insert rather large objects into holes • Turn pages of a book (several at a time) • Begin to fit objects together • Build a tower of two to three soft blocks

24. Between 18 months and 2 years, fine motor skills improve even more! • They can: • String large beads on cords • They can turn the pages of books one at a time • They can open doors by turning knobs • They can hit pegs with a hammer • By age 2, most show a definite hand preference • 95% of all children are right-handed and use their right hand for most activities

25. Movin’ and groovin’