Growth & Development from ages 1 to 3

Proper Names

1 or 2 year old is called a “Toddler”

Age 3-5 is called a “Preschooler”

Environmental Factors

NutritionHealth

Life experiences

Proportions

Ages 1-3, height and weight gains slow down compared to the first year of life.

Children show greater variations in size Body proportions between ages 2 & 3:

Chest becomes larger around than head and abdomen

Arms, legs, and torso lengthen

Teeth

1st yr: 8 teeth 2nd yr: 8 more teeth 3rd yr: last 4 teeth

FULL SET IS 20 TEETH

18 months is when a child should see the dentist for the 1st time.

Developmental Milestones Developmental milestones are AVERAGES

Variations can be caused by what??

Physical size, health, diet, interests, temperament, and play opportunities.

Developmental Milestones

Learning about these milestones can help caregivers choose activities

that are developmentally appropriate for the child’s age.

Gross and Fine Motor Skills

See graph on page 298!

Dexterity

What is Dexterity? The skillful use of hands and fingers

What requires greater dexterity? Walking steadily or turning on a

faucet

Sensory Integration

What does the brain do in sensory integration?

Combines information from the various sense to make a single, whole picture of what’s

happening

Caring for children from 1 to 3Nap and nighttime

patterns begin to change.

Age 1: Daytime naps last several hours

Age 2-4: Daytime naps become shorter and they sleep longer at night. Age 2 is when the morning nap is given up.

Night Terrors vs. Nightmares

Night terrors: occur early in child’s sleep cycle and aren’t likely to be remembered the next day.

Nightmares: frightening dreams that seem real. More serious and may signal anxiety.

Self-feeding abilities

1 year old: Finger foods, use spoon, drink from cup

2 year old: Use fork and eat slowly because they are improving ________ motor skills

3 year old: Use a spoon & fork skillfully and can chew tough foods that are cut into small pieces.