Development of Children

Ages 4-6

Chapter 13

Rate of Growth

• Between ages 4-6 is slightly slower than age 1-2

• Average increase in height is 2.5-3 inches per year

• Weight gain varies from 4-5 lbs a year

• Boys tends to be taller and heavier than girls during this time

Teeth

• Around 5-6, larger permanent teeth start to replace the baby teeth

• Children will eventually have a total of 32 teeth

•

Thumb Sucking

• Some 4,5, & 6 yr. olds continue to suck their thumbs occasionally as a way to comfort themselves or handle stress

• Generally children stop sucking their thumbs on their own

• Check with a dentist if thumb-sucking is excessive, it could affect the teeth line up

Motor Skills

• Small and large skills increase significantly

• 4-6 yr. olds are energetic, they love using their gross motor skills

• Most have improved dexterity and can now lace shoes, even if they can’t tie them, they can pour liquids into a glass

• Most can draw detailed pictures, use scissors, and write their names

Hand preference

• Some children express a preference for using one hand over the other after age 2

• Others may switch until later of year 5

• Ambidextrous children can write and do activities with both hands

• There is no reason to try to influence children to become one hand preference over another

Providing Good Nutrition

• Need steady and varied supply of various nutritious foods – aids intellectual development

• Children should eat 5-6 nutritious small meals a day, meaning 3 meals and 2 snacks

• Small portions are best, because their stomachs are small

Nutrition, continued

• Teach good habits by example• Let them choose veggies and fruits

to eat• Add (Hide) veggies in foods like

adding veggies to chili, or hide carrot chunks in a chicken casserole

• Nutrition lessons start at home, TV commercials may be harmful

Nutritional Concerns

• 2 signs that children are meeting their nutritional needs for normal growth and development are gaining weight and eating a variety of nutritious foods.

• Overeating can cause diabetes and heart diseases

Weight Problems

• All children are shaped differently and have different bone structures

• Doctors can give specific suggestions for your child’s body type

• Children need lots of activity• Eat less fatty foods – starts bad

habits• Encourage drinking water

Teaching Self-care skills

• Teach children to bathe, let them practice

• Remind them to clean first and play and have fun later

• Teach children to brush their teeth and floss early

• Age 5 is recommended time for first visit to dentist

Sleep

• Sleep – children 4-6 need 10-12 hours sleep a night

• Read bedtime stories – • 2 reasons :• caregivers and parents show “nurture”

and love through, close personal attention.

• Routine reading is a way to help children develop interest in books and reading.

Dressing and Choosing clothes

• 4-6 year olds start and then get good at dressing themselves

• Some may need help with fasteners and buttons

• Select layered clothing to adjust to temperature changes

• Buy easy –to- get on clothes• Children do have likes and dislikes –

try to choose your battles

Choosing clothes

• Keep in mind COMFORT, DURABILITY, ECONOMY

• They won’t wear them long before they outgrow them

Toileting

• By 4, most children are potty trained, but still have a few accidents

• Night-time bed-wetting may be a problem, check with doctor and adjust, they will grow out of it

Remember these tips

• Before leaving home, take child to restroom• When arriving in public place, point out

where bathroom is , and remind them often to go

• Keep an extra outfit in the car or close by• Handle situations of accidents quietly and

without drawing any unnecessary attention to it

• Stress of new places and new routines may cause relapses to accidents

Review Questions

• Why do some children suck their thumbs?

• What is hand preference? When does it seem evident (age)?

• What does ambidextrous mean?• What are two signs that children are

meeting their nutritional needs?• What 2 things can over-eating cause?