Key Terms Permanent teeth ambidextrous Describe how an

Key Terms: • Permanent teeth • ambidextrous

• Describe how an average child’s height, weight, proportion, and posture change from ages four to six. • Explain the changes to a child’s teeth that generally begin around age six. • Compare average motor development of four-, five, and six-year-olds.

• Average yearly increase in height 2 ½ to 3 inches • Most children gain about 4 to 5 pounds per year • The brain is one of the fastest growing parts of the preschoolers body – age 3 about 75% of its adult weight – by age 6 around 90% of its adult weight

• Between child’s 4 th and 7 th birthdays: – body becomes straighter and slimmer – Shoulders widen and are held more erect – Chest, round from birth to age 3 broadens and flattens – Neck becomes longer – Legs lengthen rapidly, growing straighter and firmer – Balance and coordination improve; they hold their arms nearer their body when they walk or run

• At about age 6 begin to lose their primary teeth which are replaced with permanent teeth • 6 -year-olds molars (called 1 st molars) are the first permanent teeth to appear – 2 upper and 2 lower positioned in back of the 20 primary teeth – act as a lock to keep all teeth in position – molars prevent the new front teeth from pushing other teeth farther back in the jaw • Primary teeth generally lost in same order they came in (2 lower front then 2 upper front)

• Some 4, 5, and 6 -year-olds continue to suck their thumb usually to comfort themselves or to handle tension • In most cases best to ignore; generally they stop on their own • Problem exists if the position of the permanent teeth and the shape of the jaw are being altered

• By about age 5, most children consistently use either their right or left hand for most activities. • Only a few people are ambidextrous, or able to use both hands with equal skill.