Early Childhood Health: Physical Growth

Individual differences in body size are more apparent during

________ early childhood than in infancy and toddlerhood.

Parental advice for early childhood

________: provide basic info about reproduction; teach basic understanding of privacy and when behaviors are appropriate; explain the difference between wanted and unwanted touch; discuss boundaries.

Parental advice for infancy

________: teach correct names of body parts; provide basic info about male and female bodies; teach how to respectfully interact with peers; provide very simple answers to questions about the body.

Increase of proprioception

bodys awareness of space

Infancy (0-2)

curiosity about the body; no inhibitions around nudity; touching genitals (publicly or privately)

Children grow rapidly between ages

3 and 6 but less quickly than in infancy and toddlerhood.

Bones harden , giving the
child

a firmer shape and protecting the internal
organs.

The increased capacities of the respiratory and circulatory systems build

physical stamina and, along with the developing immune system, keep children healthier.

Do children have a sense of sexuality?

• Natural exploration of the human body
• Don’t overreact or shame children
• Teach about respecting privacy

Posture and balance improve,

fostering gains in motor coordination.

Boys continue to be

slightly larger than girls; have more muscle tissue

Child’s shape becomes

more streamlined

Muscular and skeletal growth

progresses, making children stronger.

On average, children add

2 to 3 inches in height and about 5 pounds in weight each year in early childhood.

Children gradually become

thinner and leaner

Cartilage turns to bone at

a faster rate

Increase of proprioception –

body’s awareness of space

With self awareness comes

body image

Dissatisfaction in ______ with children

body image

Infancy (0-2):

curiosity about the body; no inhibitions around nudity; touching genitals (publicly or privately)

Parental advice for infancy:

teach correct names of body parts; provide basic info about male and female bodies; teach how to respectfully interact with peers; provide very simple answers to questions about the body

Early childhood (2-5):

exploration with kids of the same age; questions about sexuality or reproduction; curiosity regarding adult bodies; continued lack of inhibition around nudity; use of slang terms for body parts and functions

Parental advice for early childhood:

provide basic info about reproduction; teach basic understanding of privacy and when behaviors are appropriate; explain the difference between wanted and unwanted touch; discuss boundaries