Growth and Development of the Preschool Child 3

Growth and Development of the Preschool Child: 3 to 6 Years Chapter 20 Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Physical Development of the Preschool Child • Slowed growth rate • Changes in dentition • Changes in visual development • Changes in skeletal growth, especially in the feet and legs Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Growth Rate of the Preschooler • Gains about 3 to 5 lbs each year (1. 4 to 2. 3 kg) • Grows about 2. 5 inches (6. 3 cm) • Gross and fine motor skills continue to develop rapidly • Balance improves • Confidence emerges to try new activities • By age 5, can throw and catch a ball well, climb effectively, and ride a bicycle Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Dentition in the Preschooler • By 6 years: child’s skull is 90% of its adult size • Beginning of preschool stage: deciduous teeth have completely emerged • End of preschool stage: permanent teeth begin to be replaced by deciduous teeth – Age varies with individual children and with ethnic and economic groups – The central incisors are usually the first to go Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Visual Development of the Preschooler • Visual development is still immature at age 3 • Eye–hand coordination is good • Judgment of distances generally is faulty • Vision should be checked to screen for amblyopia • Usually by age 6 the child has achieved 20/20 vision • Mature depth perception may not occur in some children until 8 to 10 years of age Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Characteristics of the Psychosocial Development of the Preschooler • Rapid language development • Imagination • Sexual and social development • Variety of types of play Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Factors Affecting Language Development in the Preschooler • Hearing impairment or other physical problem • Lack of stimulation • Overprotection • Lack of parental interest or rejection by parents Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Development of Imagination in the Preschooler • Makes it difficult to separate fantasy from reality • Makes preschoolers good audiences for storytelling, simple plays, and television • May lead to imaginary playmates who are very real to them • Often leads to a fear of the dark, nightmares, and sleep problems Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Development of Sexuality in the Preschooler • They are acutely aware of their sexuality, including sexual roles and organs • They generally develop a strong emotional attachment to the parent of the opposite sex • Curiosity about sex may make parents uncomfortable and evoke negative responses • The caregiver should teach responsible sexual information • The caregiver should teach the child “good touch” and “bad touch” Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Types of Preschooler Play • Dramatic • Cooperative • Associative • Parallel • Solitary independent • Onlooker • Unoccupied behavior Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Role of Discipline for the Preschooler • Teach responsibility and inner control • Agree to limits and discipline measures – Spanking removes the responsibility from the child – Taking away a privilege is much more effective • Keep the period brief – The child’s concept of time is not clear Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Goals of Head Start Programs • Broaden child’s horizons through varied experiences • Increase child’s understanding of his or her world • Teach motor, cognitive, self-help, and language skills • Provide counseling and referral services • Prepare child to enter school • Prepare child to compete successfully with peers Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Nutrition for the Preschooler • Does not need large quantities of food • Protein needs continue to remain high for muscle growth • Appetite is erratic • Portions are smaller than adult-sized portions • Frequent, small meals with snacks in between best accepted Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Health Promotion and Maintenance for the Preschooler • Booster vaccinations – Given between 4 and 6 years of age • Annual health examination – Monitors the child’s growth and development – Screens for health problems Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Recommended Screening Procedures for the Preschooler • Urinalysis • Hematocrit • Lead level • Tuberculin skin testing • Denver Developmental Screening Test Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Topics for Family Teaching • Bathing • Dental care • Dressing • Toileting • Sleep needs • Accident prevention • Infection prevention Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Topics of Teaching to Prevent Accidents in Preschoolers • Seat belt use • Wearing bicycle safety helmets • Practicing street safety • Stranger danger • Fire drills • Swimming safety Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Topics of Teaching to Prevent Infections in Preschoolers • Covering mouth when coughing or sneezing • Disposing of tissues properly • Correctly wiping after bowel movements • Good handwashing • Not sharing cups, utensils, food, or toothbrushes Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Nursing Care for the Preschooler in a Health Care Facility • Use play to act out anxieties and learn what to expect from the hospital situation • Do not use a rectal thermometer • Do not scold a child for reverting to bedwetting • Follow home routines as closely as possible • Carefully explain all procedures to the child • Provide play material Copyright © 2008 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins