Early Childhood Health: Physical Growth

Height and Weight

• Children grow rapidly between ages 3 and 6 but less quickly than in infancy and toddlerhood.
• Child’s shape becomes more streamlined
• 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
• Boys continue to be slightly larger than girls; have more muscle tissue
• Individual differences in body size are more apparent during early childhood than in infancy and toddlerhood.
• Muscular and skeletal growth progresses, making children stronger.
• Cartilage turns to bone at a faster rate. Bones harden , giving the child a firmer shape and protecting the internal organs.
• Posture and balance improve, fostering gains in motor coordination.
• The increased capacities of the respiratory and circulatory systems build physical stamina and, along with the developing immune system, keep children healthier.

Body Awareness

• Increase of proprioception – body’s awareness of space
• With self-awareness comes body image
• Dissatisfaction with body image in children
• Do children have a sense of sexuality?
  • Natural exploration of the human body
  • Don’t overreact or shame children
  • Teach about respecting privacy
• Infancy (0-2): curiosity about the body; no inhibitions around nudity; touching genitals (publicly or privately)
  • Parental advice: 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: 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

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