Physical Development from Ages 1-3

1. Physical Development from Ages 1-3

2. Toddlers to Preschoolers • Physical growth slows down after the first year, but physical skills improve dramatically from the first to the fourth birthday • “Toddling”- around age one when children begin to walk a few unsteady steps, Toddlers • Preschoolers- children ages three to five, make advances in physical skills such as jumping and running • Need lots of space and time each day for active play to • develop physical skills • exercise muscles • use stored up energy • Attention span is longer than infants, but they still want to change activities often

3. Height and Weight • Growth in height and weight is slower in this period compared to babies • Might only gain about ½ pound each month • Hereditary and environmental influences are more noticeable • more variation in height among children than weight • Height at age 2 usually is significant to height as an adult

4. Proportion and Posture • Posture improves because of changes in body proportion • Head, chest, and abdomen grow at the same rate and measure about the same until age 2 • Between ages 2-3 the chest becomes larger, arms, legs, trunk grow rapidly • Help improve balance and motor skills • Child stand straighter by age 2, but posture is not completely erect • Abdomen protrudes • Head is somewhat forward • Knees and elbows are slightly bent • By age 3 spine has strengthened so back is straighter • Some baby fat is lost at this age

5. Teeth • Average of 8 teeth by age 1 • 8 more teeth come in during the second year • Last 4 back teeth emerge early during 3rd year, giving complete set of 20 • Diet of mother during pregnancy and of child during the first 2 years lay the foundation for good or poor teeth • Dairy products rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D help in the development of strong healthy teeth and bones • Diet can cause tooth decay: sweets, candy, sugar coated cereals, going to bed with a bottle (except water)

6. Motor Skills • Motor skills are divided into two types • Large motor skills- use and control of the large muscles of the back, legs, shoulders, and arms • ex: walking, running, throwing balls • Small motor skills- depend on use and control of the finer muscles of the wrists, fingers, and ankles; many of these skills require hand-eye coordination • ex: using crayons, paintbrushes, turn pages of a book, eating

7. Motor Skills cont • Acquiring physical skills are not as predictable as they were in infancy • Some learn earlier or later than average based on • physical size • health and diet • interests • temperament • opportunities for physical play • developmentally appropriate- tasks are suitable for child given his or her age and interests

8. Large Motor Skills • Physical exercise and repeated practice promote development • Improvement is usually slow but steady • Ex walking: • walks and holds onto furniture • first steps wobbly, toes pointed out, arms out for balance • takes a few steps, collapses into sitting position • constant practice helps child improve steadiness, balance, and body control

9. Small Motor Skills • Ex: feeding themselves and drinking from a cup • Poor hand-eye coordination causes many spills • Success and neatness improve with practice • Jack in the box and musical rolling toys help small motor skills • Dexterity- skillful use of the hands and fingers • 2 year olds show improved dexterity • Can turn pages of a book, peel a banana, turn on a faucet • Enjoy crayons- even if they end up on tables and walls • Build towers with blocks • 3 year old show more skill • Take things apart and put back together • Can draw circles and lines

10. Caring for Children Ages 1-3

11. Feeding • Food eaten at this age influences food habits that can last throughout life • Self-feeding helps and depends on small motor skills • Toddlers need food every three to four hours because their stomachs are small • Snacks are helpful in between meals • The amount of food eaten daily by a toddler depends on appetite and level of activity • Meals can be a battle ground! • Strong opinions of likes and dislikes of food are developed

12. Improvement of Self Feeding Skills • One-year olds eat baby foods and simple foods from family meals • Foods should be cut into small pieces to avoid choking • Finger foods are easy to pick up • At about 1 ½ toddlers can use a spoon to feed themselves • Two-year olds feed themselves and can use a fork • Usually takes a while to eat • Improves motor skills • Schedule meals so the toddler eats with the family • Three-year olds have a full set of teeth so chewing is easier • Meats and tough foods should be served in small pieces • Can use forks, spoons, and regular cups at meals

13. Choosing Foods for Children • Use regular milk until 2 years old, then introduce reduced fat milk • The extra fat in whole milk helps aid in brain development until the second year • Choose fresh foods when possible; convenience foods can contain a lot of salt and fat • How can you promote interest in nutritious foods to toddlers? Give them appealing meals. • Color- a variety of bright colors • Texture- crunchy, chewy, juicy • Shape- cut sandwiches, fruits, and vegetables in different shapes • Temperature- hot/warm and cold foods at the same meal • Ease of eating- foods that are easier to chew and eat

14. Create a dish to be served to a child. Use your imagination to give the food special appeal. Present your idea with a colored drawing and write out a list of ingredients and instructions to create your dish.

15. Bathing • Caregivers need to help toddlers develop good hygiene and good hygiene skills • Hygiene- personal cleanliness • Daily bath helps build good hygiene • Bathing at night helps with a bedtime routine • Toddlers typically have fun playing in the water • One year olds want to wash themselves • Usually means rubbing washcloth over face and stomach • Two year olds can wash, rinse, and dry themselves fairly well • Caregivers have to help with neck and back

16. Bathing cont • Three year olds can bathe themselves with little supervision • Bath Time Safety: • Never leave a child alone • can drown in a little amount of water • Cover the bottom of the tub to prevent slipping • rough plastic stickers • rubber mat • When a toddler can shower depends on the child’s ability to: • control water temperature • stand in the shower safely • ability to clean themselves

17. Caring for Teeth • Encourage children to brush their teeth right after eating • The longer foods remains in the mouth, the more damage it can cause • Use a small soft toothbrush and drop of toothpaste • Dentist encourage parents to begin flossing the teeth and show how to hold and use the floss • Some dentist suggest at 18 months to have the first dental checkup

18. Dressing a Toddler • Toddlers are eager to start dressing themselves • Caregivers should encourage self-dressing when a toddler shows interest • Dressing involves large and small motor skills at a time • Patience is key • Practice makes perfect • Toddlers usually start to try helping with dressing around 13-14 month • Could be as small as holding out arm for the sleeve of a shirt • Eventually will be able to push own arm through the sleeve • By two years, toddlers can pull up pants, but shirts may still be difficult • Can be inside out or backwards • By 3 years, toddlers can dress independently • May need help with buttons and shoelaces

19. Characteristics to Look for When Choosing Clothing • Comfort- allow freedom of movement • stretch as child moves • size is important- possibly let child try on clothes before you buy them • Durability- influenced by the quality of the fabric and construction of the clothing • must withstand hard wear and repeated washing • denim is durable • fasteners and trim should be firmly attached • cotton is comfortable- won’t irritate skin, washes well • synthetic fibers are made from chemicals, not natural resources • polyester and acrylic- durable, wrinkle resistant, quick drying • don’t absorb moisture well, hold heat and perspiration against the body • Economy- choose clothes that allow for growth • look for hems or cuff that can be let down • straps on overalls or jumpers are adjustable • pants can be rolled up and down

20. Sleeping • By two years old, sleeping habits usually change • Require less sleep • May not go to sleep as easily or willingly • May no longer take a morning nap • Two year olds tend to be more emotionally dependant on adults • Call parent back repeatedly • Ask for drink of water • Another story • Trip to the bathroom • Two year olds use self comforting techniques such as thumb sucking, rocking the crib, cuddling favorite blanket or toy • Three year olds wake up frequently during the night and get out of bed • Fear of the dark is common • May have heard reports on the news of fires, burglaries, etc • calming talk may help • nightlights • need lots of patience and understanding

21. Toilet Training • Toilet training should start when the child is physically mature and emotionally ready • Physically mature: • Control sphincter muscles- muscles that control elimination • Recognize body sensations that precede elimination • Calm encouragement of caregivers is more effective than rules and punishment • A child who is emotionally ready usually wants to succeed • Even after toilet training is completed, some accidents can still occur • May use a potty chair or a special seat on the toilet • Some toddlers are afraid of the toilet when it flushes • Training pants are heavy absorbent underpants in place of a diaper • Makes toddlers feel mature