PRESCHOOLER – PHYSICAL

DEVELOPMENT

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VIDEO CLIP - PRESCHOOLERS

1. Growth SLOWS DOWN greatly in the preschool years. The average yearly height increase is 2 1⁄2 to 3 inches.

2. Size of preschoolers varies due to a law that growth patterns proceed at an individual rate and time for each child.

3. Physical Changes: The body becomes straighter and slimmer,and the protruding stomach from babyhood flattens. The neck becomes longer and the legs lengthen and grow straighter and firmer.

GROWTH

***They are losing the baby appearance and looking more like a big kid.

4. Because of their changing proportion, the preschooler’s balance and coordination IMPROVES which aff ects their movements.

5. Improved hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity make for better use of the preschooler’s fingers and hands.

6. Definite hand preference for being right- or left-handed shown at 5 years old.

***Continue providing me with toys, activities and materials that will develop these skills.

GROWTH AND MOTOR SKILLS

7. GROSS motor skills are controlled and refined which make running, jumping, and throwing easier.

8. Children of this age are known for their HIGH activity level and energy.

GROWTH AND MOTOR SKILLS

Four-Year Old

Better skills to stand on tip toes

Throwing and catching

Hopping on one footAlternating feet up

and down stairsWalking backwards

Five-Year Old

Improved speed/coordination

SomersaultsSkippingBalancing on one foot

9. GROSS MOTOR SKILLS

Four-Year Old

Put on and zip up coat

Cut with scissorsPuzzlesWrite letters of

alphabet

Five-Year Old

Tie shoesDraw person with

head, body, arms, legs

Stay in the lineEat with spoon or

fork

10. FINE MOTOR SKILLS

11. The amount of food a preschooler needs depends on their height and weight, their temperament, and the level of activity.

***Remember that children grow from near to far, head to foot, and at their own rate, but if a caregiver suspects a weight problem (too skinny or overweight) see their doctor.

PRESCHOOLERS AND FOOD

12. Children do better with 5-6 SMALL meals rather than 3 LARGE meals and snacks a day. The child’s hand size/fist (OR a tablespoon per year old)

indicates the amount of food that they should be given. Provide nutritious meals and teach them about nutrition,

like MyPlate, so that they will be healthy and know how to make healthy choices.

The preschooler is always watching your example of nutrition.

PRESCHOOLERS AND FOOD

13. It is the responsibility of the PARENT to provide healthful food and to teach the CHILD to make food choices.

14. Children STILL NEED HELP maintaining cleanliness habits

***Poorly acquired habits can continue into adulthood..

CLEANLINESS AND INDEPENDENCE

What are 3 self-help skills a child learns?

How can a caregiver help? Release the control. Provide choices for them. Set them up for successes. Set an example. Let them know that you are here to help if they need it. Do it with

them not for them. Sing your instructions instead of speak them –kids listen!

15. SELF-HELP SKILLS

Choose 2-3 people for your group You will be assigned a task and skill

Math Science Language/Storytelling Music Arts/Creativity Outside (Gross Motor Skills) Snack Dramatic Play? ………. Arts/Creativity

***Your goal is to come up with an activity for the preschool, using this task

Fill out the paper provided Be specifi c! I need to know exactly what I need to

purchase for you so you can prep your lab!

PRESCHOOL PREP