Physical Development of Preschoolers Growth Rates Preschoolers are

Physical Development of Preschoolers

Growth Rates **Preschoolers are full of energy** �Height may double the first four years, but most growth takes place in the first two years �Quickest then �Boys and girls are about the same size, height and weight wise �Preschoolers are top heavy, until a child reaches about school age, they have upper bodies that are more developed than their lower torso

Healthy Children �Good health is very important for growth �Keep children vaccinated and immunized �Be careful, bone development is still not complete, more cartilage, needs to harden �Diet and health can also affect teeth �Calcium is important for primary and permanent teeth

Sleep and Rest �Most important thing for any child, develop a sleep routine �Do relaxing things before bed, calm them down �Tell them rest/sleep time is coming �Without enough sleep, children may lose appetite, be cranky

Toilet Training �Between the ages of 18 – 36 Months, children should develop enough muscle and organ control to be able to be toilet trained �Strong and coordinated muscles �Must understand the feeling of having to go to the bathroom, identify it. � 2 – 2 ½ may have lapses in the evening, night �Use potty seat or plastic insert, fear can be detrimental to toilet training �Praise for good use, DO NOT SHAME THE CHILD, have patience

Summary Activity �Give five things that need to be remembered when potty training a child. �Start with the appropriate age range for potty training.