Physical and Cognitive Development in the Preschool Years

This set of flashcards covers vocabulary and key concepts related to physical and cognitive development during the preschool years.

Average weight and height of a 2-year-old

Average of 25 to 30 pounds and 36 inches tall.

Nutrition for preschoolers

A variety of food low in fat and high in nutritional content, including foods high in iron to prevent iron deficiency anemia.

Lead Poisoning

A severe health threat to children under age six; linked to antisocial behavior and cognitive decline.

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

A series of four universal stages in a fixed order from birth through adolescence.

Preoperational Stage

From ages 2 to 7, children use symbolic thinking and mental reasoning emerges.

Magic Thinking

The belief that thinking about something will actually cause it to occur.

Fast Mapping

The process by which new words are associated with their meaning after only a brief encounter.

Zone of Proximal Development

The level at which a child can almost, but not fully, perform a task independently but can do so with assistance.

Grammar

The system of rules that determine how thoughts can be expressed.

Child Care Quality Characteristics

Well-trained providers, rich language environment, appropriate child-provider ratios, and health and safety standards.