PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT & THE TODDLER

Toddler

A name given to a child between the ages of 1 and 3 years old.

How does a toddler look?

Body growth and development is determined by the environment and heredity.

Genetics will determine how tall a child will be.

Genetics will also influence weight. Taller people will usually gain more

weight than a shorter person. Environment factors could be exercise,

health, diet, & emotions

How does a toddler look?

Girls reach 53% of adult height 2

Boys reach 50% of adult height by 2

Gain about 5lbs more

Usually gain 6 pounds per year

Usually grow about 2-3 inches each year

1-2 years old 2-3 yeas old

How does a toddler look?

Head is ¼ their total weight Chest & abdomen is about the same size At 30 months the chest is larger than the

abdomen Child’s body build will become apparent

How does a toddler look?

Age in Months Height Weight

12 30in 21lbs

18 32in 24.5lbs

24 34in 27lbs

30 36in 30lbs

36 38in 32lbs

Skeletal Growth

Bones & Teeth

As the toddler grows, their bones continue to become harder.

More flexible & less likely to break due to cartilage

More prone to bone disease and deformation due to soft bones

Fontanel gaps (soft spot) between the skull bones close

Bones & Teeth

Spine becomes S shaped- allows posture to be straighter and more upright

Full set of deciduous teeth Fat deposits under the skin decrease Chubbier child becomes slender Lengthening and thickening of muscles

slows

Walking, running, catching, throwing, jumping, climbing,

Motor Development- Large

Walking-beginning

Walk without support in 2-3 months after their first birthday

Stand with feet wide apart- wider base of support

Turn feet outward & flex knees Walk on tip toes- not learned to lower

heels yet Take irregular steps

Walking-beginning

Lurch forward, weave Arms held out for balance Walking posture will change when spine

changes from C shaped to S shaped (lumbar curve)

Walking- 2 year old

Walk may look like run 170 steps per min. (half the length of

adult) Walk over objects in the floor

Running & Jumping

Begins at 2 Holds arms out or

up Awkward because

cannot start or stop quickly

Stepping off of low objects at 18 mths first

2-jumps off low objects with 2 feet

Move arms backward

Running Jumping

Climbing

15-18 mths Climb on furniture Walk up & down stairs Relates to what is in their environment &

courage

Catching & Throwing

Begins in a sitting position

Rigid throw Do not shift weight When throwing with

one hand, usually step with the same foot

Catch by squatting and picking up

2-3 stand in one position with arms out

Will not move to ball and may close eyes

Throwing Catching

Holding & Grasping

Motor Development- Small

Eye-Hand Coordination

Children must coordinate what they see with the way they move their hands.

Fine motor skills depend on child’s level of eye hand coordination

As it improves, the more complex the skill is

Holding & Grasping

Can hold objects between thumb & index finder

Hold spoons in their fist Feed themselves Drink from cup Can fill empty containers Make marks on paper

Holding & Grasping

Remove hats and socks Build a tower Put objects in holes String beads Turn pages of books Open doors Children use right hand until 7 or 8

Activities

Walking

Pick a partner Walk quickly for 1 min, have partner time your

results, write it down. Allow the partner to do the same. Answer the following questions1. How do your results compare with your

partners?2. How do your results compare with the average

rate of a toddler?3. What conclusions can you draw from this

experiment?

Play Equipment

View pictures of various types of play equipment for toddlers.

What types of equipment would promote gross motor development? Include equipment for each area of development.