Physical Development

from Four to Six

Chapter 13

Main Idea

Children from 4-6 grow and develop in many areas:

Height & weight

Posture & body shape

Teeth

Motor Skills

Hand preference

Height & Weight

Growth slightly slower than from 1-3.

Boys are usually slightly taller & heavier during this period. They average a height gain of 5 inches and an average of 10 lbs. in weight from ages 4-6.

Average boy at 6 is 45.5” tall and weighs 46 lbs. Girls average 45.25” tall and weigh 44.5 lbs.

Posture & Body Shape

Between 4 & 7 posture changes noticeably

Bodies are straighter & slimmer

Protruding tummy flattens

Hold shoulders, back & upper body erect

Chest which was rounded, broadens and flattens

Legs lengthen rapidly and neck gets longer

Toddlers Running

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXZGEu4fIAQ&feature=em-share_video_user

4-6 Year Olds Running

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6GmSemtb5s&feature=em-share_video_user

Teeth

Permanent teeth begin to appear around age 6.

Six year molars are the first to appear

Two molars on top and two on the bottom

Molars are the anchors for the other teeth

Primary teeth are lost in the same order they come in.

Thumbsucking

4-6 year olds still may suck their thumbs to comfort themselves or handle stress.

Usually grow out of it. Try to ignore.

After their fifth birthday may cause changes in the roof of the mouth and the way teeth line up.

Gross (Large) Motor Skills

Many must be taught.

Very energetic and favorite things are usually physical.

Speed and coordination improves each year and with practice.

Provide lots of opportunities to improve.

Fine Motor Skills

Improved Dexterity (ease and skill in physical activity)

This improved dexterity allows them to do physical activities more easily.

Starting to use their hands & fingers skillfully.

Improved hand-eye-coordination helps them to do skills they already had better.

What can 4’s do?

Fine Motor Skills Gross Motor Skills

Dress & undress self Hop on one foot

Cut on a line with scissors Throw a ball overhand

Copy a circle & a cross Alternates feet walking up & down stairs

Lace shoes but not tie them Walks backward easily

What can 5’s do?

Fine Motor Gross Motor

Draws a person with head, body, arms, & legs

Can turn somersaults

Prints some letters Skips with alternating feet

Buttons clothing Balances on each foot for a short period.

Can copy a triangle & square

Uses spoon & fork to eat but still uses fingers for some food

What can 6’s do?

Fine Motor Skills Gross Motor Skills

Cuts, pastes, & colors skillfully Ride a two-wheeler with training wheels

Writes entire words Jumps rope

Ties shoelaces Throws & catches a ball with more ease and accuracy

(this also requires fine motor skills & hand-eye-coordination)

Hand Preference

Some children show a preference after age 2

Others continue to switch off until about the second have of year 5.

85% prefer right hand

Few are ambidextrous (ability to use both hands with equal skill).

What to believe about hand preference.

Some believe heredity is the source

Others think it is what hand the parents place things in during the early years.

Some research links it to the areas of the brain controlling motor skills or language

Whatever the cause……..no reason to influence a child using one hand over the other.

On the left side………..answer the

following:1. What is the average gain in height for a boy

from age four to age six?

2. What are the first teeth that children get that are not replacements for their baby teeth?

3. Why can it become a problem if a child continues to suck a thumb after his or her fifth birthday?

And the answers are…….

1. Average 5 inch height gain from age 4-6

2. 6 year molars or “first molars”

3. Can cause changes in the shape of the roof of the mouth or in the way teeth line up