Chapter 13 Physical Development from four to six

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Chapter 13 Physical Development from four to six
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Objectives

• Summarize how an average childs height, weight,
  posture and body shape change from ages four to
  six.
• Explain the changes to a childs teeth that
  generally begin around age six.
• Identify when and why thumb sucking may become a
  problem for children.
• Compare average motor development of four, five
  and six year olds.

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Terms

• Ambidextrous
• Permanent teeth

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Height and weight

• The rate of physical growth in children between 4
  to 6 is only slightly slower than in children
  ages 1 to 3.
• The average increase in height during these years
  is about 2 ½ to 3 inches per year.
• Most children gain 4 to 5 pounds every year.
• Boys tend to be slightly taller and heaver than
  girls during this period.

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• Before kindergarten, children are required to
  have a medical check up and certain
  immunizations.
• Immunizations are hepatitis B, diphtheria,
  tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio,
  measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).

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Posture and body shape

• Childrens posture changes noticeable between
  their 4th and 7th birthdays.
• Their bodies become straighter and slimmer, and
  the protruding tummy from babyhood flattens.
• Children hold their shoulder back and their upper
  bodies more erect.
• Their chest becomes more rounded, broadens and
  flattens with improved abdominal strength.
• The legs lengthen rapidly, growing straighter and
  firmer.

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Teeth

• School pictures of 6 year olds typically show a
  gaping hole in the childs smile.
• At this time larger permanent teeth develop.
  They replace the primary teeth that the child has
  lost.
• Children will eventually have a total of 32 teeth
  in the permanent set to replace the 20 primary
  teeth.
• The 6 year molars or first molars are the first
  permanent teeth to appear.

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Teeth

• The molars acts as anchor, keeping all the teeth
  in front of them in place.
• Teeth are usually lost in the same way they came
  in the 2 lower front teeth and then the two
  upper front teeth.

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Thumb sucking

• Some 4, 5 and 6 year olds continue to suck their
  thumbs occasionally as a way to comfort
  themselves or handle stress.
• Adults may worry about this habit but in most
  cases, it is best to ignore it. Trying to force a
  child to quit can cause more problems than the
  habit itself.
• If thumb sucking seems excessive, however, check
  with the dentist.
• Thumb sucking may cause changes in the shape of
  the roof of the mouth or in the way the teeth
  line up.

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Motor Skills

• From ages 4-6 most basic gross and fine motor
  skills improve significantly in children.
• The timetable for development of these skills
  varies. Just as in the earlier years, some
  children master one skill but are not as
  proficient as another
• EX- a 5 year old may have the skills to put
  together a complex puzzle, but not able to jump
  rope. But another child may be able to do an
  easier puzzle and jump rope a little too.

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Motor skills

• 4, 5 and 6 year olds very energetic.
• Most favorite physical activity are running,
  jumping, climbing, and turning summersaults.
• After 4 years old, children learn how to throw
  and catch both large and small balls.
• 5 year olds, show improved speed and coordination
  in all their activities. The movements of 6 year
  olds are even more smoothly coordinated.

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Motor skills

• 6 year olds enjoy balancing activities, such as
  walking on a curb or learning to ride a bike.
  Activities that involve rhythm appeal to them
  they like keeping time to music and jumping rope
  to chanted songs.
• 4 and 5s shoe improved dexterity. They can use
  their hands and fingers skillfully. Most 4 year
  olds can learn to lace their shoes, but may not
  be able to tie them.
• 5 year olds hand-eye coordination has improved to
  the point that they can pour liquids from a
  pitcher unless it is full.

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Motor skills

• 5s enjoy cutting, pasting and using glue. They
  can also print some letters but might be
  difficult to print words.
• 6s show even greater fine motor skills and
  improved hand-eye coordination. Most children
  this age are able to draw detailed pictures, use
  scissors and write their own names.
• Children need plenty of opportunities to develop
  their motor skills.

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Hand preference

• Some children express a preference for using one
  hand over the other after the age of 2.
• Others may continue to switch off and on during
  preschool years.
• By the end of their 5th year, most children will
  consistently uses one hand over the other.
• Only few people are ambidextrous, which means
  they are able to use both hands with equal skill.

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Section 13-1

• Review questions 1-6
• Due by the end of the class.