PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT- TODDLERS

TODDLERS- WHO ARE THEY?

Aged 13 months to 3 years old Not a “toddler” until they are walking

HEIGHT AND WEIGHT

Most girls hit 53% of their adult height by 24 months

Most boys hit 50% of their adult height be 24 months

After 24 months .. Gain 2-3 inches and 6lbs a year

Age Height Avg.

Weight Avg.

12 mo 30 in 21lb

18 mo 32 in 24.5lb

24 mo 34 in 27 lb

30 mo 36 in 30 lb

36 mo 38 in 32lb

GROWTH CHARTS

TEETH AND BONES

After 24 months should have a full set of deciduous teeth … “baby teeth”

LARGE MUSCLE … GROSS MOTOR

Walking- 9 to 18 months, feet wide apart, feet turned outward, tiptoes because haven’t learned to use fine motor skills to lower their heels, sideways walkers, arms up and out, toddlers can take up to 170 steps per minute

Running- arms up and out, awkward, not skilled Jumping- stepping off is how they learn, move

arms backward instead of forward Climbing- onto furniture, going up stairs is

easier, not changing feet Throwing/Catching- rigid throwers, same hand

same foot, can’t time release of object, squat and pick up objects

SMALL MUSCLES … FINE MOTOR

Fine motor depends on hand eye coordination Practice makes perfect 12-18 months:

Hold spoons in fist, drink from cups 15 months:

Fill and empty containers, make marks on paper by holding object with fist, take off hat and socks, turn pages of books

18 months Turn knobs, hold writing objects using fingers, hit

pegs with hammer 24 months

Handedness starts showing, 95% righties